Question for Fuel Haulers and Railroad Crossings.

Those company policies only apply to those who work there. But this is a rule put out by the federal government and should be known so if the company does have a policy new drivers can go to whoever make up their company polices and ask for a clarification. That's what I would do or should I say have done and it worked out nicely.

 

Up here in Oregon, we're loaded with them, so I deal with them constantly.

Personally, any highway needs that slow down and giddy up lane at all crossings. It's a safety thing. I was almost rear ended at a set just east of Corvallis, HWY 34 headed west. 55 mph through there but no pull off. Have my flashers on well in advance, come to my stop, and see in my mirror that this car has no idea I'm stopped. So railroad crossing be ######, I started ripping through gears just to start damage control at that point, and then actually braced for impact. I guess it helped as he somehow made a big arc around me, towards oncoming traffic, crossed back in front of me, and into the ditch. Kept it on all four, too. He even said he had no clue I was stopped. Told him FYI, anything with these placards or buses, have to stop at most crossings. I was just thankful to not be a school bus full of kids.

So, I guess you could say that I hate stopping at all crossings. And if you're really dumb enough to race a train loaded with hazmat (period for that matter), welp, natural selection. The problem will sort itself out. And a crazy person looking to inflict harm is going to do so regardless of what measures are put in place to prevent such events.

Just my .02

 

My company does not want us stopping at crossings that have a green light. We have a copy of the law in our permit book in the event we are pulled over for not stopping.

Don't really run into that many unmarked crossings in so cal. There are 4 on hwy 126 between castaic and santa Paula. I always hate stopping at those, feels so unsafe. But it's the law.

 

If people these days would learn how to put their phones down and instead pay attention to what's going on in front of them, around them , and behind them, then the risk of them rear ending me and going under my trailer decapitating their heads because I'm following the law, is not my issue . That happened yesterday where I live , a person was speeding and probably texting and rear ended a parked school bus , completely making the car into a convertible, killed his passenger and he lived. No kids on the bus .

 

ANY vehicle coming to a complete stop in a traffic lane is a traffic hazard and would be ticketed for such in most other situations. A hazmat truck or a school bus are the LAST things that should be stopped in a traffic lane. I understand, it's just my opinion. I've always considered it to be the most ignorant law ever written. If we weren't forced into becoming a hazard, the hazard wouldn't exist. The law should either be done away with or we should be provided a safe way to comply. Coming to a complete stop in a traffic will NEVER, EVER be safe for any vehicle.

 

one time I pull a hazmat ld thru rr with traffic light. cop was sitting on the r side . I did not stop but slow down and still look both way. he did not pull me over. thk god.

 

I drive for Airgas too. Also company policy to placard all loads regardless of weight.

 

I drive for an O/O on contract, and when I haul 6122 or 3257 I don't "have" to stop, because I'm properly placarded (or non-plac'd should I say), but it's almost a habit to do do; especially on the country / back roads here in Ohio. I switch around from that and 3253 and 2582 (haz/corrosives) so it's kinda ingrained. Truthfully, I don't hit many RxR tracks (if ANY) with stop lights. I just do it, because I do. 4-ways, etc.... courteously of course.

 

Because there was no law broken if that crossing had a signal control light. The ones that go to green to red. Frankly, a lot of companies make it a company policy because some drivers thinks that the red lights that go back are forth for a train is included in that law and it is not.

 

We carry the little green book. I don't like stopping either because I do believe it's unsafe. In Vegas I know of one and it's only on one side and that's over on Craig and Loose Roads. The signal is on the side heading into town. You still have the smart savvy bosses around, give it time they'll be retiring soon. And then you'll get the guys like we had that look at the truck and asked how many compartments are there.