Chapter 7 · Lesson 24 of 38
Railroad crossing safety and emergencies
5 min read · Safe Vehicle Operation
Figures in this lesson
Explanation
Crossing safely
- Never start across unless you can clear the tracks without stopping. Don’t stop or shift gears on the tracks.
- Where there is more than one track, after a train passes make sure another train isn’t coming — possibly from the other direction.
- In local quiet zones, trains don’t sound horns at some gated crossings.
- Where trains run in the street, traffic signals flash red in all directions when a train approaches. Treat that like any crossing warning.
- Don’t pass another vehicle within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.
- Look for the emergency notification sign at the crossing, with contact information to call the railroad about a blocked crossing, and contact 911 for assistance.
If you are stuck on the tracks
- If your vehicle stalls, everyone gets out immediately.
- Train coming: once the lights flash and the gate starts down, you have about 20 seconds. Get out, tell others to get out, and run away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle in the direction of the oncoming train. When you are clear, call 911.
- No train coming: immediately call the Emergency Notification System (ENS) number on the blue sign at the crossing, say exactly what the problem is and where, then call 911.
Example
Your car dies on the tracks. The lights start flashing. You and your passenger get out at once and run diagonally away from the tracks toward the direction the train is coming from, then call 911 from a safe distance.
Common mistake
Staying in the car to keep trying the ignition. You have only about 20 seconds — get out.
What the manual says
Avoid stopping or shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks. A driver should never begin to cross railroad tracks unless the tracks can be cleared without stopping.
Once the track crossing lights begin to flash and the gate begins to lower, you have approximately 20 seconds to escape from the crossing.
Immediately call the Emergency Notification System (ENS). The phone number is located on the blue sign attached to the railroad track crossing gate …
Sources
- Manual p. 49
“Avoid stopping or shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks.”
- Manual p. 49
“driver should never begin to cross railroad tracks unless the tracks can be cleared without stopping. If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, all occupants should immediately leave the vehicle.”
- Manual p. 49
“Look for the emergency notification sign at the crossing with contact information to call the railroad about a blocked crossing and contact 911 for assistance.”
- Manual p. 49
“Where there is more than one track, a driver waiting for the track to clear must make sure another train is not coming on the other track once the first train has cleared.”
- Manual p. 49
“where locomotive horns are not sounded by approaching trains at some gated crossings.”
- Manual p. 49
“In those cases, traffic signals flash red in all directions to indicate the presence of an approaching train.”
- Manual p. 49
“Do not pass another vehicle within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.”
- Manual p. 49
“begins to lower, you have approximately 20 seconds to escape from the crossing.”
- Manual p. 49
“run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train. After you have cleared the vicinity, call 911 and report the problem.”
- Manual p. 49
“Immediately call the Emergency Notification System (ENS).”
- Manual p. 49
“The phone number is located on the blue sign attached to the railroad track crossing gate”
- Manual p. 49
“After you have notified ENS, call 911 and report the problem.”
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 3