(The following story by Eva Ruth Moravec appeared on the San Antonio Express-News website on June 3, 2010.)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — For dozens of drivers, it was an expensive lesson in rail-crossing safety.
More than 100 San Antonio drivers received traffic citations Wednesday morning after stopping on railroad tracks or driving around crossing gates during a three-hour police sting at some of the most problematic West Side rail crossings.
“The main thing was to educate the public,” Union Pacific special agent George McManus said. “Yes, it’s against the law (to drive around down crossing arms), but public safety and education are our No. 1 priority.”
Last year, three motorists were killed in Bexar County at railroad crossings — one who tried to outrun a train and two who drove around crossing arms.
While working a 2-mile corridor of West Side railroad tracks from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, San Antonio police issued 89 citations for vehicles stopped on the railroad tracks and 18 for motorists who drove around lowered crossing gates, a UP spokeswoman said.
The citations carry fines of $167 or more.
Police riding in UP engines used radios to alert motorcycle patrol officers — staged near crossings between South Brazos Street and West Malone — to motorists violating the law.
One of the most dangerous crossings, according to UP, is the railroad’s intersection with South Zarzamora, where drivers waiting for the traffic light frequently stop on the tracks.
Motor vehicle laws require drivers to stop at least 15 feet away from crossings when a train is approaching, and it’s illegal to drive around lowered crossing gates.
Police issuing tickets encouraged drivers to obey traffic laws for their own safety, since it takes at least one mile to stop a train traveling at 55 mph.