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| Post Number: 61
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Truth 
Group: Members
Posts: 552
Joined: Feb. 2004
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Posted on: Apr. 13 2004,6:42 pm |
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Minnesota Law requires that visibilty at private or public grade crossings be in compliance with the visibility triangle rules as set forth by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. (AASHTO) Minnesota Rules 8830.0320.
The standard of visibilty is determined by the use of a triangle of necessary dimension representing the visibilty of a driver of a motorvehicle traveling at the maximum speed allowed on the roadway in question and a driver of a motor vehicle stopped at such grade crossing of said roadway from their respective vantage points. The visibilty triangle must be clear of sight blocking obstacles to the extent that it allows each of the above described drivers at their respective crossings to clearly ascertain if a train is present. Therfore, there is no .25 mile stipulation, the determination is case sensitive.
With that in mind, when a driver encounters what they judge in their mind by their own skills and abilities to be a crossing of substancial risk, to avoid colliding with a train (or any other object while driving) these simple rules will help
(from the Uniform Motorvehicle Code; National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, Uniform Motor Vehicle Code, 2000.)
ARTICLE VIII - SPEED RESTRICTIONS
11-801 - Basic rule No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions, including actual and potential hazards then existing. Consistent with the foregoing, every person shall drive at a safe and appropriate speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching the crest of a hill, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.
ARTICLE VII - SPECIAL STOPS REQUIRED
11-701 - Obedience to signal indicating approach of train (a) Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until it is safe to do so. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:
1. A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train;
2. A crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagger gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train;
3. A railroad train approaching within approximately 1,500 feet of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from such distance, or such railroad train by reason of its speed or nearness to such crossing is an immediate hazard;
4. An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing.
Sorry about the extensive clip and paste but it is the best possible answer to the question in the time I have.
Basically it all falls back to the defensive driver approach. Always assume the other guy didn't see you and drive accordingly. 
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The best weapon against an enemy is another enemy.
Nietzsche
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| Post Number: 62
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fresno
Group: Members
Posts: 220
Joined: Sep. 2003
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Posted on: Apr. 14 2004,8:27 pm |
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the
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| Post Number: 63
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truckwriter94
Group: Members
Posts: 133
Joined: Apr. 2004
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Posted on: Apr. 20 2004,6:29 am |
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First, I'm sorry that boy lost his mother.
Second, do you know why we're supposed to stop for trains? It's not because they're 400 times our size. It's because they were created before private vehicles. Is that lame or what? I wish I could remember where I read that.
BTW. (I hope that boy isn't reading this, but) If you get hit by a train, you pretty much deserve it. What's the saying? Get it over with and "Cut down the surplus population."
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PLAZE UZE YUR SPEL CHEK B4 POZTNG!
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid, than open it and remove all doubt. Mark Twain/ Well, excuse me while I pull my boot out of my mouth! Tw94 Hang up and Drive! I brake for tailgators.
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