RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 410 (HB 324) 2017 Regular Session Pierre
Prior law provided for "obedience to signal indicating approach to train".
New law clarifies that the phrase "obedience to signal indicating approach to train" refers to
motor vehicles approaching railroad crossings.
Existing law requires all motor vehicle operators to take certain precautions when
approaching a railroad train.
New law retains existing law and adds on-track equipment as a railway vehicle that a motor
vehicle driver must be cautious of when approaching railroad tracks.
Existing law requires the railroad to operate its trains in a safe manner.
New law adds that the railroad is also responsible for operating other on-track equipment in
a safe manner.
Prior law specified that if a driver was involved in a collision at a railroad crossing or
interfered with the movement of a train after driving past the railroad cross buck sign, the
collision or interference was prima facie evidence of the driver's failure to yield the right of
way.
New law specifies that if a driver is involved in a collision at a railroad crossing or interferes
with the movement of a train or other on-track equipment after driving past the railroad cross
buck sign, the collision or interference may be prima facie evidence of the driver's failure to
yield if it is unrebutted.
Effective August 1, 2017.
(Amends R.S. 32:171(Section heading), (A)(1), (2), (3), and (4), (C), (D), (E), (F)(3), and (H)
and 172(D))