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Oregon driving lesson · Buses, Railroads & Special Situations

Railroad Crossings

A 4-minute lesson from the Oregon course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Buses, Railroads & Special Situations
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
71, 72

Trains can't swerve and can't stop quickly, and they're closer and faster than they look. At every crossing: look, listen and slow down, because you may have to stop. Cross only when you're sure you can completely clear the tracks.

How crossings are marked

  • A railroad advance sign warns that a crossing is ahead
  • A crossbuck assembly includes a yield or stop sign — obey the posted sign
  • With more than one track, a sign below the crossbuck shows the number of tracks
  • A crossing signal has flashing red lights and may have a gate with flashing red lights
  • Pavement markings include a large “X” with the letters “RR”
Handbook p. 71 ↗
Railroad crossbuck
Crossbuck with yield sign and number of tracks

Remember

  • Never stop on the tracks
  • Never try to beat a train at a crossing
  • The train you see is closer than it seems, and trains cannot stop quickly
  • One train may be blocking your view of another
  • All school buses, hazmat vehicles and some school activity vehicles must stop — be ready to stop behind them
Handbook p. 71 ↗
15 feet

Minimum distance from the nearest rail when you must stop and there's no stop line

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Stop before the tracks when:

  • Flashing red lights are activated
  • A train is clearly visible or so close that crossing would be hazardous
  • A stop sign is posted, even if you don't see a train
  • A flagger signals you to stop
Handbook p. 72 ↗

Know the rule

It's against the law — and extremely dangerous — to drive around or under a crossing gate while it's down, being raised or being lowered.

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Know the rule

After stopping, don't start across until you're sure it's safe. With multiple tracks, look carefully for a second train coming from either direction.

Handbook p. 72 ↗

If a vehicle, person or object is stuck on the tracks:

  • 1. Get out of the vehicle!
  • 2. Get away from the tracks, even if you don't see a train
  • 3. If safe, use the Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign on a post at the crossing to notify the railroad
  • 4. If a train approaches, move at a 45 degree angle from the tracks toward the train to avoid debris
Handbook p. 72 ↗
Railroad emergency notification sign
Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign

Put it into practice

Your car stalls on the tracks. Get everyone out and away first — don't try to restart it. Then, if it's safe, use the ENS sign posted at the crossing to notify the railroad so it can alert trains. If a train approaches, move away at a 45 degree angle toward the train.

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.

If there is no stop line at a railroad crossing where you must stop, how far from the nearest rail should you stop?
  1. At least 12 feet
  2. At least 20 feet
  3. At least 50 feet
  4. At least 15 feet

Answer: At least 15 feet

Without a stop line, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
Which vehicles must stop at railroad tracks, so you should be prepared to stop when following them?
  1. School buses and hazmat vehicles
  2. Trucks over 26,000 pounds and farm vehicles
  3. All vehicles towing trailers
  4. Motor homes and RVs

Answer: School buses and hazmat vehicles

All school buses, hazmat vehicles and some school activity vehicles must stop at railroad tracks, so be prepared to stop behind them.

Handbook p. 71 ↗
If your vehicle becomes stuck on railroad tracks, your first action should be to:
  1. Try to push the vehicle off the tracks alone
  2. Get out of the vehicle
  3. Call for a tow truck and wait inside
  4. Keep trying to restart the engine

Answer: Get out of the vehicle

Get out of the vehicle immediately if stuck on the tracks.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
If a train is approaching while you are moving away from a vehicle stuck on the tracks, you should move:
  1. Directly away from the tracks in a straight line
  2. Parallel to the tracks, away from the train
  3. At a 45-degree angle toward the train
  4. At a 45-degree angle away from the train

Answer: At a 45-degree angle toward the train

Moving at 45 degrees toward the train avoids flying debris.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
Is it legal to drive around a railroad crossing gate while it is being lowered?
  1. Yes, if no train is visible
  2. Yes, if you can clear the tracks quickly
  3. Yes, only at crossings without red lights
  4. No, it is illegal

Answer: No, it is illegal

Driving around a lowering gate is illegal and dangerous.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
At a crossing with multiple railroad tracks, why is it especially important to look carefully both ways?
  1. One train may be blocking your view of a second train
  2. Multiple tracks always require a longer stop
  3. Trains on multiple tracks move more slowly
  4. Trains on parallel tracks always travel the same direction

Answer: One train may be blocking your view of a second train

A passing train can hide a second train on another track.

Handbook p. 71 ↗
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