Ignoring a railroad crossing barrier can get you hit with five points on your license

In the Hudson Valley, unlike New York City, railroad crossings are not uncommon. Train tracks are at grade instead of elevated, and when a train comes through then bells ring, lights flash, and gates drop in the way of oncoming traffic. Many of these are slow-moving freight trains, and since the gates are intended more as warning than barrier, it can be tempting to drive around one and save a few minutes by beating the train.

In a word: don’t.

In VTL 1170 are several different ways an officer can cite a driver about railroad crossings. The most common are “failed to stop at a railroad crossing” and “drive through/around/under railroad barrier.” Pleading guilty to either of these will result in five points on the license, in addition to fines and fees that can top a thousand dollars, if you’re a repeat offender. That can hit your insurance premiums, and with just one more point, and you’re also looking at a costly driver responsibility assessment on top of that. A lesser charge, for stopping on railroad tracks, carries a fine but no points.

It should be clear that lawmakers consider these serious, dangerous behavior, which is why the penalties tend to be quite severe. If you have gotten any railiroad-track-related tickets, don’t delay: upload your ticket today.