Adam Tuss, wtop.com
GAINESVILLE, Va. – Despite the obvious dangers, drivers in the area are being reminded that they shouldn’t stop their cars on train tracks.
Two times over the last two months drivers have been hit by trains on Route 29 South in Gainesville during the evening rush. It’s a stretch of road where the railroad tracks are level with the roadway. When traffic backs up or there is a red light, some drivers have been coming to a stop on the train tracks.
On Dec. 9 and Jan. 20, drivers were hit by Norfolk Southern trains on those tracks. Luckily, the crashes were not serious.
It’s gotten the attention of the Virginia Department of Transportation, which has now deployed an electronic message board reminding drivers not to block the train tracks.
Prince William County Police says the drivers in these recent crashes were ticketed for failure to obey a highway sign.
According to VDOT, the at-grade railroad crossings will be eliminated once two new overpasses are built in the area.
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