Should you slow down when crossing railroad tracks?

Reduce your speed when approaching crossings and look both ways. Look and listen for trains even if the red lights and crossing arms aren't active. Reduce speed when approaching crossings and look both ways. Be sure all tracks are clear before crossing — there may be more than one set.



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It IS good to slow down before you go over a rough surface like railroad tracks. But not because you'll hurt the brakes. You should slow down before railroad tracks so that you go slowly OVER the railroad tracks.

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Look and listen for trains even if the red lights and crossing arms aren't active. Reduce speed when approaching crossings and look both ways. Be sure all tracks are clear before crossing — there may be more than one set. If red lights are flashing or if crossing arms have been lowered, stop: DO NOT CROSS!

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While crossing a railroad (or a speed bump), you need to slow down, mainly to negotiate the uneven surface. Essentially, you take your foot off the accelerator and put it on the brake pedal.

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The speed limit is 15 mph when you come within 100 feet of a railroad crossing and you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions. You may go faster than 15 mph if the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagman.

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Expert-Verified Answer. The appropriate action to take when approaching a railroad crossing that does not have signals to direct traffic is Slow down and be prepared to stop.

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The Cardinal Rule of Railroading: Always expect a train or equipment to move on any track in any direction at any time!

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Railroad tracks are private property, not public trails. It's illegal to walk on the tracks unless you're at a designated crossing. It's extremely dangerous to walk, run, or drive down the railroad tracks or even alongside them.

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Traffic lights, or rather trainline lights. Well before the train gets anywhere near the station it has lights that tell it to slow down, and stop. Depending on which lights are lit, depends on the drivers actions.

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Never try to make it across a railroad crossing if you see a train coming. The main reason is that it can take a train moving 55 mph over a mile to come to a complete stop if they pull the emergency brake. So there's no chance they can stop if you hit some bad luck and break down on the tracks.

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Stop, look both ways, and listen. Know that trains always have the right of way. Don't stop on the tracks. Make sure you have room to get across.

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Figures from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) state that approximately 60% of all railroad crossing fatalities occur at unprotected or passive crossings.

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