Watch the train crossings

Law enforcement and the Union Pacific railroad are going to team up this weekend to crack down on drivers disobeying safety laws near railroad crossings in Le Mars.

Beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, the U.P. Railroad is bringing several of their locomotives and crew to Le Mars and will be traveling through crossings while law enforcement officers watch for drivers disobeying crossing signals and rules.

Iowa law states: "When a person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and warning is given by automatic signal, crossing gates, a flag person or otherwise of the immediate approach of a train, the driver of the vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely."

Drivers who violate this law can be fined $100. With court cost and surcharge, the total fine is $182.

Law enforcement officers from from the Le Mars Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol will work in cooperation with the U.P. Railroad for this enforcement project.

The goal of the project, according to a press released from the Le Mars Police, is to increase drivers' compliance to the railroad signals in order to reduce the number of collisions and injuries.