RAILROAD: Plan to fight crossing ticket

My wife was stopped by a Kootenai County sheriff deputy during a police sting at the railroad crossing on Highway 41 south of Rathdrum. The police had a train engine only, no rail cars passing back and forth setting off the signal and ticketing anyone that crossed while the lights were flashing.

IDAHO Statute Title 49 Chapter 6 48-648 only requires a car to stop at the signal but can proceed when they can do so safely. It does not require you to stay stopped until the light goes out. This is nothing more than a money making program.

We will fight this and for all the others stopped you should also. How much did this cost? I passed this crossing at 1 o'clock. I saw a news vehicle, one state patrol and one county deputy hiding to the east of the crossing. My wife was stopped after 3.

How long they were at this I can only guess. The cost of the train could not have been cheap. You can view this statute at http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH6SECT49-648.htm.

SCOTT BERRIER

Spirit Lake