(a) Every company operating a railroad in this state shall be required to erect and maintain a signboard at least four feet six inches in height to warn approaching rail traffic of the existence of drawbridges, grade crossings, and stations at which there is a switch. Such a sign must be constructed at a point on the right of way not less than one-half mile nor more than one mile on each side of every station at which there is a switch; not less than one-half mile nor more than one mile on each side of every drawbridge; and not less than one-half mile nor more than one mile on each side of every railroad grade crossing. The signboards must be placed where they can be plainly seen by persons operating locomotives and must be placed on the right-hand side of the track approaching such station, drawbridge, or railroad grade crossing.

(b) Any railroad company which violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of $100.00 for each offense.