March 11, 1998

Commercial motor vehicle drivers convicted of violating laws or regulations concerning railroad-highway grade crossings would be disqualified from driving under terms of a rule proposed by the Federal Highway Administration.

"Safety is President Clinton's highest transportation priority, and this proposal would advance safety at railroad crossings by holding drivers and carriers accountable," Federal Highway Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle said. "There is no reason for trucks or buses to be struck by trains."

Grade-crossing laws and regulations vary from State to State, but examples covered include ignoring or disobeying warning signs or devices, stopping on tracks and moving onto an intersection without sufficient room to clear the tracks.

Under the proposal, along with drivers, employers knowingly allowing, permitting, authorizing or requiring a driver to violate such laws or regulations would be subject to a fine of up to $10,000.

The proposed penalty for drivers is a suspension of at least 60 days for the first offense and up to 120 days for subsequent convictions.

The notice, FHWA Docket 97-3103, was published in the March 2 Federal Register. Comments may be submitted until May 1 to U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590-0001.

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