This bill amends West Virginia Code 17C-12-1 to enhance safety requirements for motor vehicle drivers approaching railroad crossings. It mandates that drivers must observe the same stopping requirements when on-track railroad equipment is present or approaching, as they would when a train is present. Specifically, drivers are required to stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and may not proceed until it is safe to do so. The bill outlines various circumstances under which these stopping requirements apply, including the presence of warning signals, lowered crossing gates, or visible approaching equipment.

Additionally, the bill establishes that failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $100 or up to 10 days of imprisonment. It also allows for the imposition of three points against the violator's driver's license record, except in cases where the warning signal device is malfunctioning. The changes include the deletion of the previous heading regarding train signals and the insertion of new language that encompasses both trains and on-track equipment, thereby broadening the scope of safety regulations at railroad crossings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17C-12-1