4955.32 Use of bell and whistle at crossing. - Ohio Statutes

4955.32 Use of bell and whistle at crossing.

(A) Every company shall attach to each locomotive engine passing upon its railroad a bell of the ordinary size in use on such engines and a steam or compressed air whistle.

(B) When an engine in motion and approaching a turnpike, highway, or street crossing or private crossing where the view of such crossing is obstructed by embankment, trees, curve, or other obstruction to view, upon the same line with the crossing, and in like manner where the railroad crosses any other traveled place, by bridge or otherwise, either of the following shall occur:

(1) The engineer or person in charge of such engine shall sound such whistle at a distance of at least eighty and not further than one hundred rods from such crossing and ring such bell continuously until the engine passes the crossing;

(2) An alternative audible warning system approved by the public utilities commission under section 4955.321 of the Revised Code shall be activated in accordance with guidelines established by the public utilities commission.

(C) This section shall not interfere with the proper observance of an ordinance passed by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation regulating the management of railroads, locomotives, and steam whistles on locomotives, within the limits of such municipal corporation.

(D) The establishment of an alternative audible warning system does not preclude the sounding of a whistle by an engineer or other person in charge of an engine in an emergency situation, as determined by the sole judgment of the engineer or other person.

Effective Date: 10-27-2000