Railroad crossings — Colorado Permit Test

When approaching a railroad crossing that is not marked with flashing lights or gates you should stop, if necessary, before reaching the crossing to check for approaching trains.

An unmarked crossing tells you nothing about whether a train is coming. The only warning available is the one you go and look for.

When approaching a railroad crossing that is not marked with flashing lights or gates you should stop (if necessary) before reaching the crossing, to check for approaching trains

Never start to cross the tracks until there is enough room for your vehicle to clear the tracks on the other side.

A car trapped on the tracks by traffic ahead cannot be moved and cannot be seen in time. Waiting for room on the far side is the whole rule.

Never start to cross the tracks until there is enough room for your vehicle to clear the tracks on the other side.

Never try to beat a train across the tracks, and do not shift gears when crossing railroad tracks in case your vehicle stalls.

A train cannot stop for you and cannot steer around you. Shifting on the tracks is the one thing most likely to leave you sitting on them.

Do not shift gears when crossing the railroad tracks in case your vehicle stalls

If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, get everyone out and move as far away as possible immediately, even if you do not see a train approaching, then call the number on the blue Emergency Notification Sign or contact local law enforcement.

Getting people clear comes before anything else, because a train needs more than a mile to stop. The car can be replaced.

If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, get everyone out and immediately move as far away as possible, even if you do not see a train approaching

Because of its large size a train appears to be moving much slower than it is, and an average freight train traveling at 55 mph requires about one mile to stop.

A mile is longer than any judgment you can make at a crossing. By the time the engineer sees you it is already decided.

The average freight train traveling at 55 mph requires about one mile to stop

Always stay behind the painted stop line while waiting for a passing train, and if no line is visible you must be at least 10 feet from the tracks, because trains overhang the tracks by 3 feet.

The train is wider than the rails it runs on. Ten feet is the margin that keeps your bumper out of the overhang.

If no line is visible, you must be at least 10 feet from the tracks

Always stop when railroad crossing lights flash, and do not attempt to cross until the lights have stopped flashing.

The lights come on well before the train arrives and stay on until the track is clear. There is no safe moment in between.

Always stop when the lights flash

Where gates are used with flashing light signals, do not cross until the gates are raised and the lights have stopped flashing, because while the gates are down the road is closed.

A lowered gate is a closed road, not an obstacle to be driven round. A second train may be the reason it has not lifted.

While the gates are down, the road is closed

Commercial buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials must stop at most railroad crossings, so be prepared to stop if you are following one of these vehicles approaching a crossing.

The bus in front will stop where nothing else does. Following closely behind one at a crossing is how drivers are caught out.

Commercial buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials must stop at most railroad crossings

Pavement markings at a railroad crossing consist of an R X R and a stop line painted on the pavement in front of the crossing.

The paint is there because the sign at the side of the road can be hidden by a truck or by snow. The road itself still says it.

Consists of an “R X R” and a stop line and may be painted on the pavement in front of a crossing

What should you do at a railroad crossing with no lights or gates?

Stop if needed and check for approaching trains. An unmarked crossing tells you nothing about whether a train is coming. The only warning available is the one you go and look for. Colorado Driver Handbook, p.21: “When approaching a railroad crossing that is not marked with flashing lights or gates you should stop (if necessary) before reaching the crossing, to check for approaching trains”