At an uncontrolled railroad crossing, what is the proper approach?

At an uncontrolled railroad crossing, what is the proper approach?

• A. Slow down, look both ways, and proceed only when it is safe.
• B. Continue at your current speed regardless of crossings.
• C. Speed up to cross quickly.
• D. Stop on the tracks.

Answer: (A)

Approaching an uncontrolled railroad crossing requires you to slow down, look both ways, and proceed only when it is safe to do so. There are no signals or gates telling you when a train is coming, so your safety margin depends on your observation and judgment. Slowing gives you time to see or hear any approaching train from either direction and to stop if needed, since trains can be quiet and travel faster than they might seem, and they can take a long distance to stop. Crossing should only happen when you can clearly see that no train is approaching and you can clear the tracks completely. Rushing through or trying to beat a train is dangerous. Continuing at your current speed reduces your ability to react; speeding up to cross quickly increases that risk. Stopping on the tracks blocks the crossing and creates a dangerous situation for you and others behind you. So the safest, correct approach is to slow down, look and listen, and cross only when it is clearly safe.

Approaching an uncontrolled railroad crossing requires you to slow down, look both ways, and proceed only when it is safe to do so. There are no signals or gates telling you when a train is coming, so your safety margin depends on your observation and judgment. Slowing gives you time to see or hear any approaching train from either direction and to stop if needed, since trains can be quiet and travel faster than they might seem, and they can take a long distance to stop. Crossing should only happen when you can clearly see that no train is approaching and you can clear the tracks completely.

Rushing through or trying to beat a train is dangerous. Continuing at your current speed reduces your ability to react; speeding up to cross quickly increases that risk. Stopping on the tracks blocks the crossing and creates a dangerous situation for you and others behind you. So the safest, correct approach is to slow down, look and listen, and cross only when it is clearly safe.