Is there a law in Michigan that states how long a person can be held up at a railroad crossing due to a train?

Question

I seems to me being held up at a railraod crossing for 1/2 hour is far too long and the train was just backing up and pulling forward several times. I was just wondering if there were any laws pertaining to that.

Answer 1

The rules that most mailroads operate under state that a crossing shouldn't be blocked for more than 10 min.  Local laws usually conform to this.  We did our best never to block crossings on the road.  In the yards when out switching in town we did the same.  I have split my train before so as not to block crossings.

Answer 2

No. As I far as I know, there isn't a law on this Earth that forbids trains from moving through the crossings as many times as they want for a few reasons:

1. You are not helping your National Economy like the trains

2. The trains were there first

3. 95% of the times, trains have no alternative route, whilst you can still reach your final destination in another way. The train is limited to be stuck to its tracks.

Hope this has helped,

S.O.

Answer 3

I believe there are some laws about that but you know, the way the US makes laws, they will not make a law unless someone dies because they are sitting in ambulance waiting for the train to move. Only after someone dies do we adjust. Progressive. I think so.

Answer 4

Your right to drive is way down the list.  Find another route or go earlier.  The train tracks were there first.