Police: Zero Tolerance for RR Crossing Violations

The next time you're running late and tempted to try to beat an oncoming train at a railroad crossing in Hinsdale or Clarendon Hills, think again. Your chances of getting caught and fined just went up. This includes pedestrians.

Throughout September, there will be police officers assigned to railroad grade crossings in Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills. In the past year, 20 people in the Chicago area have died in incidents involving Metra trains: three were pedestrians who ignored the gates; 10 were pedestrian suicides; three were pedestrians for which the circumstances of death were unclear; three were killed when cars went around the gates; one involved a motorist whose car was struck on the tracks under unclear circumstances.

"Usually, when there is a fatality involving a Metra train, it frequently tends to be a suicide," said Michael Gillis, a spokesperson for Metra. Gillis added that at other times, people take unnecessary risks when they know a train is approaching.

The Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills police departments were awarded grants to educate people about the laws involving railroad crossings and to strictly enforce any violations.

"Metra couldn't be happier. Anything [the police] can do to encourage rail safety, we support," said Gillis.

In Illinois, it is illegal for pedestrians to enter, stay on, or traverse a railroad grade crossing while a bell is ringing, lights are flashing or any other mechanical signal that warns of the approach, passage or departure of a train. It is illegal for vehicles to drive through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier. Violating either of these laws will cost $250 for a first offense and requires a court appearance.

"The warning bells and red lights mean stop," said Deputy Police Chief Mark Wodka, "but oftentimes, the warning bells prompt a commuter to run."

Hinsdale has five grade crossings, with three of the busiest within a block of one another. The one that gets the most traffic is the Garfield crossing, which has an average of 15,000 vehicles that drive over it a day.

According to the Hinsdale Police Department, pedestrians are seen committing  violations at the Hinsdale commuter stations regularly.

"Like motorists, pedestrians gamble at the tracks to save time, and the consequences of gambling with trains is deadly." Wodka said.