Ohio House Passes Bill to Increase Rail Safety

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 372, also known as Stop, Look, and Listen, which will require drivers to stop for on-track equipment at railroad crossings, announced Majority Whip Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon). 

The legislation makes a simple change to the Ohio Revised Code, stating that motorists need to stop, look, and listen when a train or other on-track equipment is approaching. This small update will increase safety when using railroad crossings. 

“Ohioans understand trains occupy the tracks in their respective neighborhoods, but not everyone is aware of the on-track maintenance and construction machines that travel on the track infrastructure in our country,” said Hoops. “To ensure motorists are safe at rail

crossings, we must clarify that other pieces of equipment travel on railroad tracks present the same dangers to motorists as trains do.”

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 204 rail accidents in Ohio last year. Of these 204 accidents, 139 account for highway-rail incidents and other accidents on railways. Stop, Look, and Listen would aim to prevent this exact type of incident, one in which a vehicle operator has been struck by on-track equipment.

The legislation is supported by rail labor and the rail industry. House Bill 372 now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.