Roadwise States Arizona Driving lessons Railroad crossings Arizona driving lesson · Speed Limits, Signs & Markings
Railroad crossings A 3-minute lesson from the Arizona course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Speed Limits, Signs & Markings
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 42, 43 A train can't swerve and can't stop quickly. Crossing rules exist so you are never on or near the tracks when one arrives. Expect a train, or other on-track equipment, on any track at any time.
Round railroad warning sign and railroad crossing (crossbuck) sign Know the rule
A circle-shaped sign warns that you are approaching a railroad crossing. The crossbuck sign marks the crossing itself.
Handbook p. 42 ↗ Stop no closer than 15 feet from the nearest track when you see: Flashing red lights A lowered crossing barricade Ringing bells A flagger warning of an approaching train or other on-track equipment Handbook p. 42 ↗ Know the rule
Don't cross until all signals have stopped and the barricade is all the way up. Never drive around or under a lowered barricade.
Handbook p. 42 ↗ Rules that reduce your risk: Expect a train or other on-track equipment on any track at any time Don't get trapped on a railroad crossing Get out of your vehicle if it stalls on the tracks Look for a second train or on-track equipment in the other direction Never race a train or other on-track equipment Watch for vehicles such as buses and gasoline tankers, which must stop at railroad crossings At night, watch for railroad crossing warning signs that aren't lighted Handbook p. 43 ↗ Know the rule
Do not pass another vehicle within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ Put it into practice
A freight train clears the crossing and the bells stop, but the gate is still rising. Wait until it's all the way up and look for a second train on the other track before you go.
A useful reminder Railroad numbers: stop at least 15 feet away, no passing within 100 feet, no parking within 50 feet.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What shape is the advance railroad warning sign that alerts you to an upcoming crossing? A rectangle A circle A diamond A crossbuck (X shape) Answer: A circle
A circle-shaped sign provides advance warning that you are approaching a railroad crossing.
Handbook p. 42 ↗ At a railroad crossing, how close to the nearest track must you stop when you see flashing red lights or a lowered barricade? No closer than 15 feet No closer than 50 feet No closer than 5 feet No closer than 100 feet Answer: No closer than 15 feet
You must stop no closer than 15 feet from the nearest railroad track under these conditions.
Handbook p. 42 ↗ When may you cross railroad tracks after signals have activated? Once lights stop, even if the gate is down Once you can see no train nearby As soon as the gate starts rising After all signals stop and the gate is fully up Answer: After all signals stop and the gate is fully up
Do not cross until all signals have stopped and the crossing barricade is completely up.
Handbook p. 42 ↗ What should you do if your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks? Push it off only if no train is visible Call 911 and wait inside the vehicle Get out of the vehicle Stay inside and try to restart it Answer: Get out of the vehicle
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get out of the vehicle.
Handbook p. 42 ↗ After a train passes a crossing, what does the handbook tell you to look for before crossing? A green light at the crossing A second train from the other direction A flagger waving you across The red light on the last car Answer: A second train from the other direction
Always look for a second train or other on-track equipment coming from the other direction.
Handbook p. 42 ↗ You should expect a train or other on-track equipment on any track at any time. True False Answer: True
The handbook advises drivers to always expect a train on any track at any time.
Handbook p. 42 ↗ Previous lesson School zones, route markers & mile posts Next lesson Work zones More in Speed Limits, Signs & Markings About the source Roadwise’s Arizona course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 42, 43. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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