Killeen Police Participates in “Officer on a Train” Event
The Killeen Police Department and BNSF Railway will be conducting an “Officer on the Train” event in support of International Level Crossing Awareness Day on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The intent of these activities is to give Police Officers an opportunity to approach a crossing from the locomotive engineer’s perspective. In addition to having an officer on the train, other officers will be on hand to issue citations to those drivers and pedestrians who disregard the railroad warning devices.
Texas law requires motorists to stop no closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail if; a clearly visible signal, a crossing gate or barrier is lowered, or flagger warns of the approach of a train. Motorists must also stop if the warning barriers are being lowered, are already down or are being opened, and must remain stopped until the barriers are fully opened.
Since 1977, Texas Operation Lifesaver has been working to spread the safety message throughout the state by educating the public through free presentations and other safety activities. Due to the number of crossings and track miles in the state, Texas has a high number of collisions resulting in fatalities and injuries. However, we still need to get all motorists to think about safety when they approach a crossing. People should “LOOK, LISTEN and LIVE!”
Trespassing is being on railroad property or around train tracks without the railroads’ permission. Jogging, walking on the track or crossing at other than designated rail crossings is also trespassing. Texas has the highest number of trespassing incidents resulting in either injury or death. Pedestrians should “STAY OFF, STAY AWAY and STAY ALIVE!”
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department