Terranova v. Southern Pacific Transportation Co.

For many years this court and a host of other state courts have recognized a difference in the nature of the duty owed by a railroad company to motorists in “blocked crossing” cases versus “approaching train” cases. The long line of Arizona cases beginning with Doty v. Southern Pac. Co., 59 Ariz. 449, 129 P.2d 991 (1942), hold that the only duty a railroad owes to the traveling public when it blocks a crossing is to provide an adequate warning. Until the court’s decision today that has been the consistent and often repeated rule for “blocked crossing” cases.

The court now maintains that the…