Opinion ID: 900903
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Does DM & E have a common law or statutory duty?

Text: [¶ 25.] Since federal law does not apply in this case it is necessary to look to DM & E's common law and statutory duties. Under common law, DM & E owes an ordinary duty of care to the public. Malone Freight, 39 F.3d at 867. [A] railroad is required to take precautions to prevent injury to crossing motorists if a reasonable person in the railroad's position would take such precautions. Duncan v. Union Pacific R. Co., 790 P.2d 595, 598 (Utah Ct.App.1990). [¶ 26.] DM & E also has a statutory duty under SDCL 49-16A-87, which states: Each railroad shall construct at all points where its road crosses any public road, good, sufficient, and safe crossings and shall erect at such points, at a sufficient elevation from the road to admit free passage of vehicles of every kind, a sign with large and distinct letters giving notice of the proximity of the road and warning persons of the necessity for looking out for trains. [¶ 27.] DM & E has both a common law and statutory duty to protect the public. Therefore, the Boomsmas have the right to bring a negligence claim in state court. [¶ 28.] DM & E further argues that the State of South Dakota or the City of Wolsey are indispensable parties subject to joinder under SDCL 49-16A-89.2 and that Boomsma's claim should be dismissed under SDCL 15-6-19(b) because no claim was made against either public entity within the time prescribed under SDCL 3-21-2. SDCL 49-16A-89.2 suggests that the State of South Dakota did not have a duty under the statute until after the accident occurred. Any railroad tracks over which an operating train travels which crosses a portion of the state trunk highway system, as defined in chapter 31-4, shall have a crossing alarm or a lighting device, or both, to alert the public of approaching trains and to notify the public of trains crossing the highway. The crossing alarm or lighting device shall be in place by December 31, 1998. The Department of Transportation shall decide the method which is most suitable for the protection of the public. The Department of Transportation shall use any federal highway safety funds to pay for the crossing alarms and lighting devices. However, if federal highway safety funds are not available, the railroad owning or operating the tracks is liable for the expenses of the crossing alarm or lighting device. (emphasis added). Id. This accident occurred on January 26, 1998. The State's duty went into effect on December 31, 1998. Therefore, the requirements of this statute were not in effect at the time of the accident and are inapplicable to this case.