Safety experts: site of fatal train-car wreck is dangerous

(AP) — A New Iberia railroad crossing where five people were killed is dangerously near a highway intersection, leading to traffic backups that can trap vehicles in a train's path, safety experts say.

[...] state transportation officials say the crossing is not scheduled for improvements such as a traffic signal guided by sensors for approaching trains.

Since 2012, at least one train a year has hit a vehicle stopped at that crossing, The Advocate (http://bit.ly/1nrK8GR ) reports.

According to Federal Railroad Administration rules, the gates are activated and trains are required to sound horns 15 to 20 seconds from approaching a crossing.