Philip Hoskins - Comment

In response to the comments of : "DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration 49 CFR Part 234 [Docket No. FRA–2009–0032; Notice No. 1] RIN 2130–AC05 State Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Action Plans AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Direct final rule." I am Locomotive Engineer and Local Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainman Union. I wish to comment on the proposed final regulation concerning crossings in Michigan. I have 40 years seniority as a Fireman/Locomotive Engineer and have worked road assignments Detroit to Cincinnati; Detroit to Pelton, Canada; Detroit to Chicago and Detroit to Willard, OH. In recent months there have been railroad fatalities in Michigan reference Canton and Madison Heights, MI. My opinion is that restricting the locomotive engineer further would not benefit vehicular traffic at crossings. I believe the problem lies with educating and increasing public awareness. Educating the public through some sort of television commercial highlighting the dangers of railroad crossings would reduce fatalities. Realizing your investigation into all fatalities nationwide will be thorough, I wish to go on record to request that no new rules be afforded the locomotive engineer. I feel restricting engineers from performing their duties further would be detrimental to the psychological make-up of a locomotive engineer and possibly become a safety issue for the safe operation of a train. Sincerely, Philip Hoskins BLET LC 542 e-mail: philiph150@aol.com