expensive ticket/fine from metra

The other day I was hurrying to work approaching the train tracks at clinton just n. of fulton.  the warning lights and bells started going off as i was maybe 20ft from them.  so i accelerated and made it over before the gates began to move.

a metra police officer jumped in front of me a little ways later and made me stop.  wrote me a ticket and said it will likely cost me at least $250.  I kind of thought that the lights and bell were like a yellow light and you didnt have to stop until the gates came down.  It appears this is not the case.  expensive lesson learned.

posting this as a cautionary tale to anyone else pedaling over train tracks regularly.

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Permalink Reply by S on October 20, 2012 at 2:54pm

That sounds like a good way to turn a ticket and fine into a few more and possibly a court appearance to explain to the judge why you decided to disobey a lawful order from the police.  

Bike Bloke said:

You couldn't dodge round the cop and high tail it out of the vicinity? To get out of a $250 ticket, I'd have been tempted if the cop was on foot.

Permalink Reply by CJ on October 20, 2012 at 3:41pm

he had a pretty good angle on me and was a big fella.  i didnt really consider trying to slip by him, but in hindsight I think it was a longshot

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on October 20, 2012 at 6:44pm

Do you really want to try to beat a train to the crossing? Is is really worth your life? Granted, the trains are moving pretty slowly at that area, but still – just wait the 30 seconds. Geez.

Permalink Reply by baci on October 21, 2012 at 4:54am

Ever wonder why that darn gate goes down so doggone early?

 If you were to cross right befor the gate falls and you got stuck, that is how long it would take that long heavy train to stop before crushing you. 

Something to think about.

 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 21, 2012 at 4:57am

+1

baci said:

Ever wonder why that darn gate goes down so doggone early?

 If you were to cross right befor the gate falls and you got stuck, that is how long it would take that long heavy train to stop before crushing you. 

Something to think about.

 

Permalink Reply by CJ on October 21, 2012 at 7:12am

true, the people most likely to pay a cost are the most likely to complain about it.   but that doesnt mean the cost is justified.  

Clint H said:

I think the likelihood of a person calling the enforcement of a law a "money grab" is directly proportional to the tendency of that particular person to break that law. Red light runners make the same claim. There's a large and disturbing web presence for drunk drivers making that argument.

Permalink Reply by bk (aka: Dr. Mambohead) on October 21, 2012 at 8:09am
In the name of Randolf Scott I hope you were wearing a helmet to protect your thinky part!
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 21, 2012 at 9:29am

"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun" -Mao Tse-tung

Permalink Reply by Barry Aldridge on October 21, 2012 at 11:12am

1. Trains do not cause accidents. The train is where it's supposed to be, it's pedestrians, bikers and drivers who cause the accidents.

2. Ticket writing these days is most definitely a revenue-raising tactic by all government agencies with such power - it has almost nothing to do with safety. As voters refuse to pay for the government they want through taxes, the government has to try and collect money in other ways - hence increased fees, fines and increased ticket-writing.

Permalink Reply by Tim S on October 22, 2012 at 3:18am

Hah, I always like to see folks complain about getting a ticket for doing something they know is not advisable and illegal, quite a low sense of sympathy for you and others.

It blows me away to see people play chicken with train's on foot, bike or car especially a commuter train that will be clear in a few minutes.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 22, 2012 at 3:25am

Don't fight it son. Confess quickly! If you hold out too long you could jeopardize your credit rating.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on October 22, 2012 at 3:52am
Trying to beat a train to the crossing is quite possibly one of the stupidest things anyone could do.

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