A 3-minute lesson from the Indiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Because trains are so large, their speed is very deceiving. Never race a train to a crossing, and never begin crossing unless you can clear the tracks without stopping.
Crossing safety:
Obey all warning signs and devices; never race a train to a crossing
Avoid stopping or shifting gears while crossing the tracks
Never start across unless you can clear the tracks without stopping
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, everyone should get out immediately
With more than one track, make sure no second train is coming once the first has cleared
Watch for a train coming the opposite way behind the first one
Watch for local quiet zones, where trains don't sound horns at some gated crossings
Where trains run in the middle of streets, traffic signals flash red in all directions when a train approaches. Treat this like any other crossing warning.
Look for the emergency notification sign at the crossing. It gives contact information for reporting a blocked crossing to the railroad; also contact 911 for help.
If you or another driver is stuck on the tracks with a train coming, evacuate, tell others to do the same, and run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train. Once clear, call 911.
Your car stalls on the tracks, and the lights start flashing. Get everyone out right away and run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks, toward the direction the train is coming from. Then call 911.
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.
About how much time do you have to escape a crossing once the lights begin flashing and the gate starts to lower?
About 5 seconds
About 60 seconds
About 20 seconds
About 2 minutes
Answer: About 20 seconds
Once the crossing lights flash and the gate begins to lower, you have approximately 20 seconds to escape.
Where trains run in the middle of a street, traffic signals flash red in all directions when a train is approaching.
True
False
Answer: True
Where trains operate on tracks in the middle of streets, traffic signals flash red in all directions to show a train is approaching; treat it like any other crossing warning.
