(LE MARS, IA) Red light runners beware: you could be risking your life if you ignore railroad crossing signals. Le Mars Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department and Union Pacific are teaming up to stop drivers in their tracks and catch violators red-handed.

Union Pacific's Officer on the Train project gives local law enforcement a chance to witness railroad crossing violations first-hand.

"It can and has caused some near misses as the trains pass through the community," says Capt. Dennis Folkema, Le Mars Police Department.    

The lack of crossing gates in Le Mars makes violations even easier, especially when drivers are in a hurry to get home.

"It's unbelievable the things that people try and get caught with in front of our trains," says Michael Hatfield, Union Pacific Railroad MOP.

Police says excuses run the gamut, from lack of time to lack of information.

"I'm sure some other people just don't realize that you do have to stop on a red signal light like that," says Capt. Folkema.

It may look like you have plenty of time and space but stopping a train takes a lot more of both.

"If we're traveling track speed, there's absolutely no way. We're going to place the train in emergency application of the brakes but we're still going to take a quarter mile or better to stop," says Hatfield.
    
And the consequences can be catastrophic.

"Death. A train, if it hits a car, is like you walking up and kicking a pop can," says Hatfield.    

The exercise allows officers on board to catch violators and then dispatch squad cars to hand out a nearly $200 ticket.

"$200 is a lot cheaper than the funeral your in-laws are going to pay for you if you get hit," says Hatfield.    

So if you see flashing red lights, a few extra minutes could save your life.
              
"It only takes 2 to 3 minutes for the train to clear. Give it time. You'll make it home in time alive," says Hatfield.      

If you're ticketed, the citation will cost you $195. Officers on the train called out 22 violators and pulled over 11. Law enforcement wrote 6 tickets and issued 5 warnings.

Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.