(The following story by Craig Malveaux appeared on the Times-Picayune website on May 18, 2010.)
NEW ORLEANS — Residents driving across railroad tracks around the metro New Orleans area might have been a little bit safer Tuesday, as railroad officials teamed with law enforcement agencies to raise awareness about railroad safety.
State Police troopers from Troop A and Troop B, along with sheriff’s departments in St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and Jefferson parishes, stationed themselves and their ticket books at various railroad crossings, educating citizens about railroad safety for the second annual Operation Lifesaver Enforcement Detail.
In 2009, railroad accidents throughout the state resulted in 11 deaths, the sixth-highest number of fatal crashes in the nation, according to the State Police. This campaign is seeking to drastically change those figures.
“We’re all looking to save lives, that’s No. 1,” said Maurice Evans, special agent for Canadian National Railway Company. ” Key thing is that we don’t want anyone to be killed. That’s the ultimate goal: zero fatalities, zero injuries and zero accidents.”
Various uniformed officers stood in the middle of the highway, slowing drivers to raise awareness about the dangers of failing to comply with railroad crossing laws as well as ensuring that citizens obeyed those laws.
Along with educating, officers checked for other traffic-related violations, such as unbuckled seat belts and speeding.
“It’s not about giving tickets, it’s about providing awareness,” said Thomas Smith, a Kansas City Southern Railway conductor who participated in the campaign.
“The presence of these police officers at these crossings are keeping these railroad crews safe as well as the community safe. If we hit a truck, an 18-wheeler or a bus full of kids, then you’re going to have a major catastrophe,” Smith said.
While most of the violators received citations, some received verbal warnings.
One driver, wearing her seat belt improperly, was issued a warning. Another car with four riders, including an infant and a 2-year-old, neglected seat belts altogether, resulting in several citations.
During the enforcement detail, a total of 328 traffic citations were issued. Of those citations, 140 violated railroad safety laws, 106 were seat belt and child restraint violations, and 83 were other traffic violations, according to State Police.
Offenders weren’t the only ones who received the message. Law-abiding drivers who passed over railroad tracks did too, according to Thomas.
“I saw plenty of people slowing down and looking because the police presence was really well done. I think people were a bit more cautious today,” he said. “We want them to be cautious when the police are there, but we want them to be cautious when the police are not there also.”