Drivers approaching marked railroad crossings must slow or stop, look and listen for trains, yield right-of-way, and proceed only when safe; violations bring fines, possible jail, course requirements, and a 30-day suspension for missing required training.
§175. Vehicles must yield at railroad grade crossings; exceptions; penalties for violations A. The driver or operator of a vehicle approaching a rail-highway grade crossing identified by the presence of a railroad cross buck sign shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, or shall stop if necessary, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting rail of such railroad where the driver or operator has a clear view of any approaching train. The driver or operator shall listen and look in both directions along such track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. Having slowed or stopped in this manner, the driver or operator shall yield the right-of-way to any approaching train and then shall proceed only upon exercising due care and upon being sure that it is safe to proceed. B. The driver or operator of a vehicle need not yield at any such rail-highway grade crossing where a police officer or traffic-control signal directs traffic to proceed. C. Any person who violates any provision of this Section shall be fined as follows: (1) On first offense, the fine shall be not more than two hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both. In addition, the person in violation shall be required to attend an Operation Lifesaver Course to be given by a certified Operation Lifesaver presenter within one hundred eighty days after adjudication of the citation. It shall be the responsibility of the offender to notify the appropriate court of the successful completion of the Operation Lifesaver Course. (2) On second and subsequent offenses, the fine shall be not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both. In addition, the person in violation shall be required to attend a one-day safe driver's course designed by Operation Lifesaver within one hundred eighty days after adjudication of the citation. It shall be the responsibility of the offender to notify the appropriate court of the successful completion of the Operation Lifesaver Course. (3) If an offender fails to attend any safe driving course as required in this Subsection, the department shall suspend such offender's driving privileges for a period of thirty days. (4) No less than twenty-five dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be collected by the court and shall immediately be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the state treasury. D. The provisions of this Section do not relieve drivers or operators of the responsibility to comply with the provisions of R.S. 32:171 and 173. Acts 1990, No. 143, §1; Acts 2005, No. 477, §1; Acts 2012, No. 811, §9, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 834, §5, eff. July 1, 2012.