You must stop at a railroad crossing with lights and gates when the lights are flashing and the gates are lowering or have already lowered. Additionally, you should stop if you hear a train horn or see a train approaching, even if the lights are not yet activated. Always ensure that you wait until the lights stop flashing and the gates are fully raised before proceeding. Never attempt to cross while the gates are down or the lights are flashing.
You should stop at a railroad crossing with mechanical gates and lights whenever the lights begin flashing. Do not attempt to cross while the gate is being closed.
When approaching a railroad grade crossing where the gates are down or the lights flashing you should stop before the stop line. If there is no stop line then at least 15 or more feet from the nearest rail.
Stop at the stop lines for the railroad tracks or if there aren't any there stop 15 - 20 feet away from the gates.
A passive crossing is marked by signs, pavement markings, and sometimes flashing lights or gates to indicate the presence of a railroad crossing. Drivers must stop and yield to oncoming trains.
All US states require that you stop prior to entering the crossing, and a train is approaching the crossing. If there are also crossing gates, you must not go through the crossing when the gates are either being lowered or raised. If there are no gates, you are allowed to proceed through the crossing after stopping only after you have looked and determined no train is approaching and it is safe to cross. If there are gates, you are not allowed to go around the gates legally unless a railroad employee or a police officer instructs you that it is safe to do so.
Upon approaching a railroad crossing with the gates lowered, you must stop no less than 15 feet from the tracks. This distance ensures your safety and allows for enough space for trains to pass. Always be vigilant and wait until the gates are fully raised and the lights have stopped flashing before proceeding.
A railroad crossing sign indicates that there is a railway crossing ahead where trains may cross the road. It serves as a warning for drivers and pedestrians to approach with caution, look for oncoming trains, and be prepared to stop if necessary. These signs are often accompanied by additional signals, such as flashing lights or gates, to enhance safety at the crossing.
Not unless you want to be Killed or Injured for life. A lot of people have tried to beat the train to the crossing and it was the last thing they Ever did. Train Versus Human = Train 1 - Human Nothing but blood and guts. * Added - In all US states, the flashing lights activated means stop prior to entering the crossing. If there are no crossing gates, most US states allow you to proceed after stopping and checking to be sure no train is approaching. If there are crossing gates as well, it is not legal to drive aroound the gates or through the crossing while the gates are going up or down in any state in the US.
When the railroad crossing gates come down, it signals that a train is approaching, indicating that vehicles and pedestrians must stop and wait for the train to pass. The gates are typically accompanied by flashing lights and audible alarms to warn those nearby. This safety measure helps prevent accidents by ensuring that no one crosses the tracks while a train is in the vicinity. Once the train has passed and the area is clear, the gates will rise, allowing traffic to resume.
No vehicle is allowed to pass a railroad crossing when the gates are down, because it's not an arbitrary rule like a stoplight.... it's a serious danger, and a train moving at speed can take literally miles to stop.
What you should do when you are coming up to a railroad crossing with no gates or lights is treat it like there are lights or gates. Stop or slow down and look both ways to make sure there is no train coming. I also suggest if you have your radio up loud then turn it down when you get close to the crossing so you can hear if a train is coming. The train has to sound its horn no more than a 1/4 of mile from the crossing or at least 15 seconds but no more than 20 seconds from the crossing. Treat the crossing like a stop light. Look, Listen and Live. Just look at the related link for more information. Railroad worker for 10 years.
When you are the vehicle closest to the rails at a railroad crossing, you must stop when a train is approaching. This is crucial for your safety and the safety of others, as trains can be much closer and faster than they appear. Always look for warning signals, such as lights or gates, and never attempt to cross the tracks until it is completely safe. Remember, the law requires you to stop at least 15 feet from the tracks when a train is present.