(The following report appeared on The Advertiser website on July 9.)
OPELOUSAS, La. — Law enforcement officers issued 44 tickets to drivers who crossed railroad tracks in front of an approaching train during a crackdown this week.
Louisiana State Police and St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s officers took action to bring attention to the growing number of car-train collisions in the area. The operation, organized by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, also included officers from Union Pacific, the Eunice Police Department, and the Opelousas Police Department.
St. Landry Parish ranks as one of the highest locations in the nation for vehicle-train collisions.
In addition to the 44 tickets for railroad crossing violations, officers issued three for no seat belt, three for invalid drivers’ licenses, two for insurance violations and one each for reckless operation, improper lane use and an expired inspection sticker.