Are Lake Charles Transit buses supposed to stop at railroad crossings? I have seen a lot that don’t.

Federal regulations and state law require buses carrying passengers — and all school buses, even if they’re empty — to stop at all railroad crossings.

The law, R.S. 32:173.1, says bus drivers must stop “within fifty feet of, and not closer than fifteen feet to, the tracks; thereafter, the driver shall listen and look in each direction along the tracks for an approaching train and ascertain that no train is approaching.

“When it is safe to do so, the driver may drive the commercial motor vehicle or bus across the tracks in a gear that permits the commercial motor vehicle to complete the crossing without a change of gears.”

Residents who see city buses that fail to stop at rail crossings should call the Lake Charles Transit Division and provide the time and location of the violation, said Al Hoover, city transit manager.

The number is 491-1253. Buses are equipped with cameras, which would provide evidence of violations, and drivers who flout the law will be disciplined, Hoover said.

As for school bus drivers, state regulations list a step-by-step procedure they must follow before they cross railroad tracks:

l “When the bus has stopped, the driver shall fully open the service door, listen and look in both directions along the track or tracks for approaching engines, trains or train cars.”

l “For improved vision and hearing, the window at the driver’s left and the service door should be opened, and all noisy equipment (radios, fans, etc.) should be turned off and should remain turned off until the bus has safely cleared the crossing.”

l “If the view of the tracks is obstructed for 1,000 feet or less in either direction, no portion of the bus may be driven onto the tracks until the driver has made certain that no train is approaching. Although railroad signals may indicate the tracks are clear, the driver must develop and use visual and auditory senses to determine whether or not it is safe to proceed.”

l “The bus driver must never accept a lack of movement as an indication that the railroad signal is working or is out of order. A bus driver must always consider a railroad grade crossing as conclusive warning of danger and shall not cross the track until the bus driver has determined that no train is approaching.”

l “The school bus driver shall always drive across the tracks in an appropriate low gear and not change gears while crossing the tracks.”

School bus driver violations can be reported to the school system’s transportation office at 217-4330.

A final note: That last bit about not switching gears when crossing train tracks is sound advice for all drivers, and it’s in the state’s manual for Class E license holders.

“Never shift gears on the crossing,” the guide reads. “If your vehicle has a manual transmission, shift before reaching the tracks and do not change gears while crossing the tracks.”

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Online: www.laoperationlifesaver.org; https://omv.dps.state.la.us.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.(MGNonline)