Unfortunately, there are many many ungated crossings along 301 near The Villages west boundary. Additionally, part of it is in Marion County and part is in Sumter County.
I am fairly certain that the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is not the governing agency. I believe its the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration).
Again, the owners of the railroad will not just stop sounding horns until a local government agency or body agrees to shoulder the liability for accidents or death.
It's just like if The Villages said to you, "you don't need homeowners insurance." You would say, "okay, then who is gonna pay if my house burns down."
I feel for the engineers. They are mothers and fathers just like us. They don't want to kill anybody at a crossing. Can you imagine piloting a locomotive through a crossing in the middle of the night without being allowed to warn people that you are coming. Can you imagine the horror if they slammed into a car or truck in the crossing because they had not been permitted to sounded their horn.
634 people were killed last year at rail crossings.
|