It's Illegal to Take Photos at These Locations

Most of us are taking photos all the time. For social media purposes, we try to get the best photo in cool and unique places. Some of the places we take photos are dangerous and even illegal.

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Whether your photos are taken with your phone or taken by a professional photographer, there are some places you should avoid because they are located on private property.

Obviously, you don't want to go into someone's yard to snap a photo sitting by a blooming bush. But, there are some places that are on private property that you may not realize are off-limits.

The places are very popular for photo ops, especially graduation photos. The places you shouldn't be taking photos are on or near railroad tracks.

Can you take photos and videos on a railroad track?

Photo and video shoots on or near railroad tracks and trains are illegal and dangerous. No photo, video, or selfie is worth the risk.

Canva (Photo edited, not taken on a railroad track)

What do the laws say about taking photos and videos on railroad tracks?

According to individual state laws,

Indiana code provides that it is a Class B misdemeanor for anyone to drive, walk or ride along the right-of-way or yard of a railroad company at a place other than a public crossing. The code section also defines the terms used and outlines the differences between the various classes of misdemeanors and felonies. Ind. Code § 8-3-15-3 (1999).

In Kentucky,

A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the third degree if they are on the track, property or the right-of-way, other than while passing over the track or the right-of-way at a public or private crossing. Anyone doing so is subject to a maximum fine of twenty-five dollars for the first violation, fifty dollars for the second, and a maximum fine of one hundred dollars for the third and subsequent violations. KY. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 277.350 (Baldwin (1999).

Illinois law states,

The state has a general prohibition against trespassing on railroad property but outlines several exceptions when unlawful trespass may not apply. It is generally prohibited for anyone to walk, drive or ride along the right-of-way or rail yard of any railroad. Unlawful trespass does not apply to passengers on trains, persons entering the property to protect human life, persons crossing at farm crossings, anyone having written permission, and representatives of state and Federal governmental agencies in the performance of their official duties. See generally 625 ILCS 5/18c-7401(3) (1999). For the purposes of enforcing the statute defines “right of way” as the track or roadbed owned or leased by a rail carrier that is located on either side of its tracks and which is readily recognizable to a reasonable person as being rail carrier property or is reasonably identified as such by fencing or appropriate signs. 625 ILCS 5/18c-7401(3) (1999). A violation of the statute would subject the violator to a fine not to exceed $500. 625 ILCS 5/18c7401(2) (1999).

Find your state's railroad photo laws, HERE.

For other places that are illegal to take photos, especially selfies, click HERE.