When approaching a railroad crossing with flashing lights or gates, what should you do?

When approaching a railroad crossing with flashing lights or gates, what should you do?

• A. Speed up to cross before signals activate.
• B. Ignore signals if you think no train is near.
• C. Stop then proceed regardless.
• D. Slow down, look both ways, and stop if required by flashing lights or gates, then proceed only when safe.

Answer: (D)

When you approach a railroad crossing with flashing lights or gates, you must treat the warning devices as a higher-priority cue and respond with caution. The flashing lights and lowered gates are signaling that a train is or could be nearby, and trains require a long distance to stop. So you should slow down, look both ways, and be prepared to stop if the signals require it. Stop at least the recommended distance from the tracks (often about 15 feet) when lights are flashing or gates are down, then proceed only when the signals indicate it’s safe and the crossing is clear. Rushing to beat the signals, ignoring them, or stopping and continuing regardless of the warning devices creates a serious risk of collision. You must only cross when you can do so safely and the barriers are fully up and lights are no longer flashing.

When you approach a railroad crossing with flashing lights or gates, you must treat the warning devices as a higher-priority cue and respond with caution. The flashing lights and lowered gates are signaling that a train is or could be nearby, and trains require a long distance to stop. So you should slow down, look both ways, and be prepared to stop if the signals require it. Stop at least the recommended distance from the tracks (often about 15 feet) when lights are flashing or gates are down, then proceed only when the signals indicate it’s safe and the crossing is clear.

Rushing to beat the signals, ignoring them, or stopping and continuing regardless of the warning devices creates a serious risk of collision. You must only cross when you can do so safely and the barriers are fully up and lights are no longer flashing.