U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
Regulations most recently checked for updates: Aug 28, 2025
(a) Any person, as defined by § 219.5, who violates any requirement of this part or causes the violation of any such requirement is subject to a civil penalty of at least the minimum civil monetary penalty and not more than the ordinary maximum civil monetary penalty per violation. However, penalties may be assessed against individuals only for willful violations, and a penalty not to exceed the aggravated maximum civil monetary penalty per violation may be assessed, where:
(1) A grossly negligent violation, or a pattern of repeated violations, has created an imminent hazard of death or injury to persons, or
(2) A death or injury has occurred.
(b) The standard of liability for a railroad will vary depending upon the requirement involved. See, e.g., § 219.105, which is construed to qualify the responsibility of a railroad for the unauthorized conduct of an employee that violates § 219.101 or § 219.102 (while imposing a duty of due diligence to prevent such conduct). See 49 CFR part 209, appendix A. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense. See FRA's website at https://railroads.dot.gov/ for a statement of agency civil penalty policy.