When should you never cross a railroad track?

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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Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing. Do not cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it is safe to do so.

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Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing. Do not cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it is safe to do so. You can be fined for failure to obey these signals.

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Explanation Trucks transporting hazardous loads must stop before they cross railroad tracks.

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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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The bottom line is that vehicles with passengers or flammable materials, as well as school buses must stop at all railroad crossings. If any of them don't, the driver could face a penalty of up to $1,000 and a few months in jail. So, if you operate such a vehicle, stop when you see flashing lights and crossing signs.

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Motor vehicles transporting passengers and certain types of hazardous materials, as cited in 49 CFR 392.10(a), are forbidden from crossing railroad tracks without first stopping within 50 feet but no closer than 15 feet, listening, and looking both ways for an approaching train.

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Except in cities or towns, whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of the vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so ...

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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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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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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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Flashing Red Lights — with or without bells When the red lights are flashing, a train is approaching. Stop and wait for the train to pass, then proceed when it is clearly safe to do so.

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Always be super-cautious when approaching a railway crossing. Even if the lights aren't flashing, look both ways before proceeding. Don't try to beat a train to a crossing - the train is moving faster than it appears. Trains can't stop rapidly because of their extreme weight.

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Freight and Commuter Trains Don't stop on the tracks. Make sure you have room to get across. Once you enter the crossing, keep moving. Stop 15 feet away from flashing red lights, lowered gates, a signaling flagman or a stop sign.

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Answer: Always the train. Ask: How far away from the tracks should you stop? Answer: At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet.

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People may think they can stand alongside tracks and be safe from a train, but the truth is trains are wider than the tracks. A train can extend three or more feet on either side of the steel rail, so the safe zone for pedestrians is well beyond three feet on either side.

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