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 WSOR News Archive AB 512 “Yield Sign Bill” Signed Into Law
On January 4th, 2006, Governor Jim Doyle signed Assembly Bill 512 into law, after several years of promoting the need for additional safety measures at all passive crossings in the State of Wisconsin. AB 512 mandates the installation of yield signs at all crossings that only have crossbucks present, also known as passive crossings. These are highway/railroad grade crossings that do not have lights, gates, or a stop sign to alert motorists. With the signing of this bill, public safety at thousands of railroad crossings throughout the state will be heightened. This initiative began back in the year 2000 when Wisconsin & Southern President Bill Gardner began asking local units of government to install either stop signs or yield signs at all passive crossings within their community. Realizing that “near misses” and “train/car incidents”, particularly in the rural areas, was becoming a growing concern to the Wisconsin & Southern organization, Mr. Gardner believed that safety cannot be compromised in a time that populations are increasing and the number of vehicular drivers are on the rise. Mr. Gardner’s campaign was successful as local units of government responded by installing stop or yield signs at over 400 passive crossings throughout Southern Wisconsin. Mr. Gardner’s passion for safety continued. With support from all other railroad companies in the State of Wisconsin, including the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR), Mr. Gardner’s initiative was placed into the hands of the state legislature for preparation of becoming law. At a July 14th, 2005 Public Hearing Mr. Gardner testified before the Assembly Committee on Transportation reporting that “near misses” have been reduced dramatically and train crews feel safer approaching rural crossings as a result of his efforts at working with local units of government to better protect their passive crossings. AB 512 received widespread support from the assembly and senate and the governor was happy to sign into law--a measure that helps promote safety at railroad crossings throughout the State of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co. would like to thank the co-sponsors of AB 512, particularly Rep. Ainsworth for making this bill a priority, and to Governor Doyle for his support. |
