This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance safety requirements for motor vehicle drivers approaching railroad crossings. It establishes that drivers must adhere to the same stopping protocols when on-track railroad equipment is present as they would when a train is approaching. Specifically, the bill modifies the existing law by replacing the previous requirement of obedience to signals indicating the approach of a train with new language that emphasizes stopping requirements for both trains and moving on-track equipment. Drivers must stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and may only proceed when it is safe to do so.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any driver who fails to comply with these requirements will be guilty of a misdemeanor, subject to a fine of $100 or imprisonment for up to 10 days. The legislation also allows for the imposition of three points against the violator's driver's license record, although this penalty does not apply if the warning signal device is malfunctioning. Overall, the bill aims to improve safety at railroad crossings by ensuring that drivers are aware of and adhere to the necessary precautions when encountering both trains and on-track equipment.

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