No one’s above the law, although the nation’s railroads come close at the state and local level. Over the past quarter century, multiple courts have ruled that only the federal government can impose rules affecting railroad operations. Most notably, states can’t limit how long a train can block motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic at a public crossing, the courts have said. Yet because Congress has passed no laws addressing the subject, there are no limitations. So trains now block some crossings for hours, or even days. The state of Ohio recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to settle this vexing problem by hearing its appeal of a lower court ruling that nullified the state’s law setting a time limit on how long trains can block crossings. Ohio argues that public safety is at stake.
Source: KC Star Local News
