RAILROAD: Troopers on the train

Don't let the name of the program fool you; it is made up of state, county and local officers all working together for the safety of the community.

Mr. Berrier, it is plain to see that you have no clue about this program or Idaho Code for that matter.

First of all, the railroad companies provide the train engines, crews and fuel to institute this program because of the safety issues they face daily on their railed travels. People frequently ignore the dangers of the crossings and end up in crashes that cause great material damage and physical injury as well. The train crews experience extreme stress and trauma when they are involved in train-vehicle collisions. There is a feeling of helplessness because the train can't stop and its mass creates such extensive destruction. Having investigated my share of train-vehicle collisions and seen the destruction and death, I totally support their efforts.

Now on to your situation:

1. So the police were "hiding." Well they must have been hiding in plain sight since you saw them.

2. Idaho doesn't have "Idaho Patrol" they have Idaho State Police.

3. I would love to read the Kootenai County Deputy's field notes on your stop. I can only guess but just by reading your interpretation of Idaho Code 49-648 and 49-649, I think I'm close. Here we go: Observed a vehicle approach the crossing and stop. The light was functioning, the train blasted its horn at the 1,500 foot mark from the intersection and the vehicle proceeded through crossing (undoubtedly at the direction of the husband).

4. The CODE-ID 49-648 Obedience to signal indicating approach of the train (1) states that under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver shall stop within 50 feet and not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad, and NOT PROCEED UNTIL HE CAN DO SO SAFELY. a. 49-648 (1) (d) comes into play here regarding safely. (d) states that a train will sound its horn approximately 1,500 feet from the crossing and by reason of its speed or nearness to the crossing, "IS AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD."

So if your wife entered the crossing after the train blew its horn at 1,500 feet from the crossing there was an "immediate hazard and it was not safe to cross." This is usually witnessed and videoed by the trooper, deputy or officer on the train and the information is relayed to the contacting officer.

This is the most common violation of the Code. The other would be driving around the barrier arms when they are down.

Please keep in mind the railroad companies and the officers are not doing this as a money maker but to change the incorrect and unsafe driving habits of the motoring public. Next time take a deep breath, relax, enjoy the scenery and let the train go by. There is no place you need to be so bad that it's worth your life or that of a loved one.

G.B. SCHENSKY

Coeur d'Alene