What should you do before going over a railroad crossing?

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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7 Steps for Safety - Highway-Rail Grade Crossings (Visor Card)
  1. Approach with care. Warn others that you are slowing down. ...
  2. Prepare to stop. ...
  3. Look both ways and listen carefully. ...
  4. If it won't fit, don't commit. ...
  5. Look again. ...
  6. Cross tracks with care. ...
  7. Keep going once you start, even if lights start to flash or gates come down.


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Stop at least 15 feet, but not more than 50 feet, from nearest rail. Look both ways and listen carefully. Bend forward to see around mirrors and A-pillars.

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When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping. Remember it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail. ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.

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Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks, rights-of-way or through tunnels. The only safe place to cross railroad tracks is at a designated public crossing. Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first.

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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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Steps for Navigating Crossings 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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The FRA offers the following additional tips for motorists when approaching a crossing: Never ignore flashing lights, whistles, closing gates or stop signs. Slow down, look in both directions, and test your brakes. Be certain you don't see a train.

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Advance warning signs The advance warning sign is a round, yellow sign bearing the lettering RXR. The X is very large, covering the full diameter of the sign. It is usually the first warning you will see that you are approaching a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen for an approaching train.

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Long trains take longer time to stop than a single car because the braking effort is not synchronized.

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In order to determine if it safe to travel over a railroad crossing, you must first look to see if there is any gate, flashing lights, horns or sirens that are going off, if not then it should be safe to travel over the tracks as long as you check all of those things off and do not see a train actively coming your way.

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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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Electricity is easily the most dangerous factor in stepping on the track – it's always switched on and nine out of ten people die when they're struck by it. You can't outrun a train. And even if you could, you wouldn't hear it coming, as today's trains almost silently reach speeds of 125mph.

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