April 19, 2000

Lights/gates a good sign for other crossings

The announcement of the approval of lights and gates for the Northern Ohio and Western Railroad crossing with CR 31 near Maple Grove is good news for more than one reason.

The obvious benefit will be the improved safety at that crossing. It has been identified as a dangerous one by two state agencies.

There also is an advantage in the progression being made toward better safety devices at all rail crossings in the area.

The tracks through Seneca County now are busy at all hours.

There are more and more opportunities for motorists to overlook the approach of a train at a crossing that has no lights, gates or other active devices.

Motorists must accept their share of the burden of avoiding collisions with trains.

But railroads, which because of the nature of trains and their size and momentum always have the right of way, should do everything possible to make it impossible to miss the approach of a train.

Approval of the installation of lights and gates at other crossings besides CR 31 can be &emdash; and should be &emdash; expected.

It would be unrealistic to expect such signals and barriers at all crossings in the community. There are crossings seldom used roads and on farms that should not require the investment.

But there is good reason for local and state officials to work toward lights and/or gates at most of the crossings, especially those on busy roads and those used by school buses.