Railroad Crossings – A Complete Driver’s Guide

How to Enter and Leave a Railroad Crossing

Here are 9 safety tips for railroad crossings:

• Only cross railroad tracks at designated crossings.
• Approach railroad crossings at a low enough speed so you can stop if necessary.
• Never drive under or around the gates, or past the lights (if flashing). They indicate a train is just about to pass by. 14% of all collisions with trains between 2014-2018 were a result of drivers attempting to drive around lowered gates.
• Don’t begin to cross until the gates are completely raised and the lights have stopped flashing. Always check both directions of the railroad before driving past.
• Stop at least 15 feet away from the crossing if there’s an approaching train, flashing red lights, a stop sign or lowered crossing gates.
• Look for a second train before proceeding! Crossings with multiple-tracks can have several trains passing by simultaneously or within a very short time. Don’t expect it to be safe simply because one train just passed by.
• Take extra care if there are no gates or flashing lights as a train could come unannounced from either direction at any time. You should be even more careful if your view of the tracks is limited (e.g. blocked by building or vegetation).
• Make sure there is enough room to cross – never enter a crossing unless you can safely cross without having to stop on the tracks.
• Don’t shift gears on the tracks to avoid stalling. Remember that trains won’t have time to stop for a vehicle on the tracks.

Don’t drive under or around lowered crossing gates!

What Vehicles Must Stop at All Railroad Crossings?

Some vehicles must stop before crossing train tracks, so be prepared to stop when driving behind these vehicles. They include:

• Trucks carrying dangerous goods
• Buses
• School buses

School buses must always stop before crossing!

Stalling on Railroad Tracks

It’s extremely dangerous to get stuck on a crossing. To avoid stalling, stay in the same gear when crossing the tracks and only cross if you are certain you can cross the entire tracks safely – i.e. no traffic or obstructions blocking the path.

Trains have long stopping distances and will be unable to stop in time for a car on the tracks!

Don’t proceed if you can’t cross the tracks completely! Be extra careful in heavy traffic.

What to Do If Your Vehicle Stalls on Railroad Tracks

If your car stalls on railroad tracks, get out of the car immediately and move away from the tracks. If you can hear or see an approaching train, run away from the tracks at a 45° angle in the direction of the train. That way, you avoid being hit by flying debris if your vehicle is struck by the train.

If stalled on the tracks – run away from the tracks at a 45° angle in the direction of the train.