HB1116: Railroads; increases maximum fine for blocking roads.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 56-412.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 56-412.1. Railroad cars obstructing street or road; standing vehicle on railroad track; penalty.
It shall be unlawful for any railroad company, or any receiver
or trustee operating a railroad, to obstruct for a longer period than five
minutes the free passage on any street or road by standing cars or trains
across the same, except a passenger train while receiving or discharging
passengers, but a passway shall be kept open to allow normal flow of traffic;
nor shall it be lawful to stand any wagon or other vehicle on the track of any
railroad which will hinder or endanger a moving train; provided that when a
train has been uncoupled, so as to make a passway, the time necessarily
required, not exceeding three minutes, to pump up the air after the train has
been recoupled shall not be included in considering the time such cars or
trains were standing across such street or road. Any such railroad company,
receiver or trustee, violating any of the provisions of this section shall be
fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 $2,500;
provided that the fine may be $100 for each minute beyond the permitted time
but the total fine shall not exceed $500 $2,500.
This section shall not apply when the train is stopped due to breakdown, mechanical failure or emergency.
