More than 100 Citations Issued during Caltrain Rail Safety Enforcement Action

Law enforcement officers issued more than 100 citations and warnings for rail-related violations; 97 of the citations were for grade-crossing violations and 11 for other types of violations. Eight warnings were issued as well.

Officers from 24 agencies from San Francisco to Gilroy participated with Caltrain police in the six-hour exercise, which focused on reinforcing safe behavior around railroad tracks and trains, particularly in areas where vehicle or trespassing violations have been known to occur.

“We are really grateful that all the law enforcement agencies accepted our invitation and participated in the event,” said Amtrak Police Capt. Jim Martino, who organized the event. Martino said it provided a great opportunity for all the police agencies along the Caltrain corridor to become more aware of the unsafe and illegal behavior that occurs at stations and along the right of way.

“Even violators are being educated that what they are doing is illegal,” said Martino, who issued a warning to a young driver who had just gotten her license two weeks ago. Martino said the driver had gone through a grade crossing, after the warning lights had begun to flash and the arms had begun to lower.

“You have to stop when those lights begin to flash,” he told her. The young woman had not been aware that the safety-arms are legal traffic signals and not just warnings. Martino sent her on her way with a rail safety brochure and cautioned her not to take that risk again.

05/31/07 - crd
Media Contact: Christine Dunn – 650.508.7927