(The Peoria Journal Star published the following story by Jodi Pospeschil on its website on October 24.)
MACOMB, Ill. — State Police troopers employed a new vehicle Thurs- day in the effort to keep people safe at railroad crossings: a freight train.
A District 14 trooper climbed aboard a Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train in Galesburg about 9 a.m. Thursday and rode with the crew until it arrived in Quincy later in the morning. The trooper was put on the train to be an extra set of eyes looking for motorists who try to beat the train at marked and gated crossings when the lights are activated.
About 25 officers, state, county and local, between the two destinations aided in the effort so the trooper on the train could radio ahead if he saw a violation. An Illinois State Police airplane also followed the train.
A first offense for not stopping at an activated crossing could result in a $250 fine. A second could mean a $500 fine and suspension of a driver’s license for up to six months.
The seven-car train stopped just east of Macomb briefly Thursday so train and police officials could talk about the program.
Police said no violations at crossings were spotted between Galesburg and the east edge of Macomb. One person was ticketed in Macomb.
“Our hope is to raise an awareness and to show the general motoring public what they need to do when they approach railroad crossings,” said Wayne Harbourn, regional manager of crossing safety for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe. “When they see a train or hear a train, they should give it the right-of-way. When they get to a crossing, the signs mean what they say.”
Harbourn said every two hours an
accident involves a train somewhere in the United States. Illinois also ranks third and fourth in several nationwide statistics for the accidents, fatalities and injuries involving a train.
Thursday’s event is a follow-up to an event held last week in Macomb. Several area police officers positioned themselves at the railroad crossing on North Lafayette Street and handed out safety information to motorists.
“This is a follow to say, ‘Hey, are you paying attention?'” Harbourn said. “We hoped to get to Quincy without a violation; that would mean people are doing the right thing at crossings.”
A third railroad safety program is planned today at the Macomb train depot. Mayor Mick Wisslead and city police Officer Jason York were at the depot early this morning passing out coffee and doughnuts to train passengers along with railroad safety information.
The Macomb program is part of a state and federal grant received by the city to promote railroad safety. Macomb was one of only four Illinois cities to receive the railroad money.