When a railroad crossing gate is down, which action is correct?

• A. Drive around the gate
• B. Slowly proceed if there is space
• C. Stop and wait until the gate rises
• D. Turn around and find another route

Answer: (C)

Safety around railroad crossings hinges on obeying signals; when a gate is down, you must stop and wait. The gate is lowered to block the roadway because a train is approaching or about to cross, and trains can be much longer and faster than you anticipate. You can’t reliably judge how close a train is or how quickly it will reach the crossing, and signal timing can change. Trying to drive around the gate is illegal and incredibly dangerous, because a train can arrive at any moment and you may not have time to react. Moving slowly through with the idea that you have space is also risky—the space could disappear as another car or another train approaches, and you’d be in the path of danger. Turning around to find another route might seem like a plan, but it wastes time and can lead to confusion or backing into traffic, while the signal remains active. By stopping and waiting until the gate rises and the signals stop, you ensure you’re safely clear of the tracks before proceeding. Stay well back from the crossing, and only proceed once you’re sure the gate is fully up and any lights have ceased.