Railroad crossings — Alabama Permit Test

The round railroad warning sign means a highway railroad crossing is ahead, and it is placed 750 feet before the track.

The sign is set far enough back to give you time to slow and look before you reach the tracks.

It means a highway railroad crossing is ahead and is placed 750 feet before the track.

In front of a railroad crossing the pavement may be marked with a large X and two RRs; a yellow line before the crossing means no passing, and white lines on each side show where to stop when a train is coming.

The markings tell you where it is safe to wait, so your car is clear of a passing train.

A yellow line in advance of the crossing means no passing.

If a railroad crossing has no warning device, slow down, look and listen for trains before proceeding.

With no lights or gates, your own eyes and ears are the only warning you get.

If a railroad crossing has no warning device, slow down, look and listen for trains before proceeding.

If there is more than one track, a sign below the crossbuck shows the number of tracks.

More than one track means a second train can be hidden behind the first.

If there is more than one track, a sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks.

School buses, church buses, any passenger bus, and trucks carrying flammables, explosives or other hazardous material must stop before crossing any railroad crossing.

A crash with a train is catastrophic for a bus full of people or a load that can explode.

School bus, church bus, or any passenger bus.

When stopping for a railroad crossing, you must stop within 15 to 50 feet of it.

Closer than 15 feet and a train can strike your car; farther than 50 and you may not see the tracks well.

You must stop within 15 to 50 ft.

Do not change gears while crossing railroad tracks; if your vehicle has a manual transmission, shift down before and not on the crossing.

A missed shift can stall the car right on the rails.

To avoid stalling, a driver should not change gears while crossing the track.

Never drive around railroad gates; if they are down, stay in place until they are raised -- it is against the law to go around gates.

Gates are down for a reason, and a train may be closer and faster than it looks.

It is against the law to go around gates.

When the last car of a train passes, do not proceed until you are sure no train is coming on another track, especially from the other direction.

A second train can be hidden behind the first one until it is right at the crossing.

When the last car of the train passes, do not proceed until you are sure no train is coming on another track, especially from the other direction.

A freight train traveling at 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop, the length of 18 football fields.

A train cannot stop for a car on the tracks, so the car has to stay off them.

A freight train travelling at 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop.

If your vehicle stalls on a railroad crossing, get everyone out and away from the tracks immediately, then call local law enforcement for help.

People can be replaced by nothing; a car can be replaced.

If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, get everyone out of the vehicle immediately and away from the tracks.

Never get trapped on a crossing: when traffic is heavy, wait until you are sure you can clear the crossing before proceeding.

If traffic ahead stops, a car that started across can be left sitting on the tracks.

When traffic is heavy, wait until you are sure you can clear the crossing before proceeding.

Walking or playing on railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment is illegal, and the penalty may be death.

Trains are quieter and faster than people expect, and there is often nowhere to step aside.

Walking or playing on railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment is illegal.

How far before the track is the round railroad warning sign placed?

750 feet. The sign is set far enough back to give you time to slow and look before you reach the tracks. Alabama Driver Manual, p.38: “It means a highway railroad crossing is ahead and is placed 750 feet before the track.”