316.170 Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings. - Florida Statutes

316.170 Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings.

   (1) No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, or roller, or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of 10 or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load clearance of less than 1/2 inch per foot of the distance between any two adjacent axles or in any event of less than 9 inches, measured above the level surface of a roadway, upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with this section.

   (2) Notice of any such intended crossing shall be given to a station agent or other proper authority of the railroad, and a reasonable time shall be given to the railroad to provide proper protection at the crossing.

   (3) Before making any such crossing the person operating or moving any such vehicle or equipment shall first stop the same not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train, and shall not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.

   (4) No such crossing shall be made when warning is being given by automatic signal or crossing gates or a flagger or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or car. If a flagger is provided by the railroad, movement over the crossing shall be under his or her direction.

   (5) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

History. s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 312, ch. 95-148; s. 134, ch. 99-248.

Note. Former s. 316.055.