Railroad Safety Information
Motor vehicle drivers should be aware that trains can be on railway tracks at any time, and they can travel in any direction. Trains cannot stop quickly or steer out of the way, so motor vehicle drivers, the railroad industry, and state highway and road authorities must take the necessary precautions to ensure optimum railroad safety. We also encourage you to review our railroad crossing safety advocate profiles for the latest info on safer trains.
Railroad Crossings - Driver Safety Tips
- Drivers must treat railroad crossbuck signs as yield signs and they must stop whenever automatic signals are activated. Most state laws require drivers to stop at least 15 feet before the nearest rail whenever approaching a railroad crossing with the signals indicating an approaching train.
- Drivers should proceed towards all railroad crossings slowly and with caution, and they are obligated to not exceed the speed limit.
- Drivers should be able to stop within a clear distance of the railroad crossing.
- Always yield to oncoming trains and never try to beat an oncoming train across the railroad crossing.
- Drivers should avoid listening to loud music or talking on cell phones when approaching a railroad crossing.
- Use extra caution at night and in bad weather - do not overdrive your headlights.
- Beware of a potential second track, which could mean a second oncoming train. Make sure all tracks are clear before crossing the tracks.
- Be careful not to get boxed in, and do not let traffic or the railroad gates stop you on the crossing.
- If your car stalls or stops on the crossing for any reason, immediately evacuate yourself and any passengers out and away from the vehicle quickly.
- Drivers should act with reasonable care in all circumstances.
Railroad Crossings - Engineer & Train Crew Responsibilities
- Blow the whistle one-quarter mile from all public crossings.
- Ring the bell.
- Keep the headlight on bright.
- Follow speed rates consistent with timetable speed or the safety of the train.
- Follow all bulletins and rules.
Each time a train crosses any road or street, these safety tips must be heeded. Unfortunately, not all railroad crossings are handled in such a careful, responsible manner. For railroaders in need of a FELA lawyer or individual drivers looking for a railroad crossing accident lawyer, the law firm of Davis, Bethune and Jones in Kansas City is standing by to lead your RR litigation nationwide.
