Sioux City (IA) Journal, 11/28:
Railroad ride-along sends message: Obey signals
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — When the train whistle sounds and the red railroad crossing lights flash, all vehicles are required to stop and wait for the train to pass. Not everyone listens.
The Union Pacific law enforcement and media safety train ride-along helps provide local officials with a first-hand look at what locomotive engineers see daily while they operate trains through the community.
SNIP
LaKose said he had never been on a ride-along before, but now has a better understanding of what the engineers deal with.
One car blew through the light at the Monroe crossing, very close to the approaching train.
"You can really see, 'Wow, that is close!' And talking to the engineers, this is an every-day occurrence," LaKose said.
More here.