10/23/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r OCT 2 3 1990 BOOK Si P,1,E _ �4 do not stop very quickly. When you remove the right for the crew to blow the horn, they must put the train in emergency stop also risking derailment and injury to the railroad crews. County Attorney Vitunac pointed out that our ordinance does not prohibit a train from blowing the horn if there is a car in the way or someone on the track, but Mr. Abood stated that Florida Statute No. 351.03 requires all train horn bans to be unconditional, and it does not leave any discretion with the crew. Chairman Eggert expressed her belief that if someone is going to run past the gates, the whistle is not going to stop them. Mr. Abood cited an experience where the engineer saw that happening, blew the horn, and the accident was averted. He stressed that when the horn is blown, at least people are alerted that a train is in the area, and it is the railroad's position that is a benefit from a safety standpoint. Commissioner Scurlock expressed his feeling that if the railroad spent less time working on this whistle ban and more time cooperating with the communities, they would be spending their time to a better purpose. Commissioner Wheeler felt that if the flashing lights and bells don't stop the people from crossing the tracks, the horn won't either. Commissioner Bowman had trouble with the accident figures presented by the railroad because they do not indicate how much their total nighttime traffic is compared to daytime traffic. She believed they have much heavier train traffic during the nights than in the daytime and believed that tilts the figures considerably. Attorney Vitunac wished to know if Mr. Abood knew that our ordinance allows the engineer to blow the horn if a car is on the track, and Mr. Abood stated that he has the ordinance but does not see where it says that, and if it does, the ordinance is in violation of Statute 351.03. 28 _I