Railroad and Crossing Signs: Yielding to Trains
Railroad and crossing signs warn of tracks and crossings where you must yield to trains. Trains cannot stop quickly, so the burden is on the driver to look, listen, and stop when required. The signs come in a few distinct formats that questions love to test.
The sign family
- Round yellow advance warning sign: a yellow circle with a black X and two R's warns that a railroad crossing is ahead; it is placed in advance of the crossing.
- Crossbuck: a white X-shaped sign reading RAILROAD CROSSING marks the crossing itself; treat it like a YIELD sign - yield to trains.
- Flashing red lights and gates: when lights flash or gates lower, stop and remain stopped until the lights stop and the gates rise.
- Pavement markings: a large white X and the letters RR painted on the road warn of the crossing.
- Number-of-tracks plaque: a small sign below the crossbuck tells how many tracks you must cross.
Traps to watch for
The classic trap is treating the crossbuck as a STOP sign - it is a YIELD sign, meaning stop only if a train is approaching. Another trap is the advance-warning circle: it is a warning, not the crossing itself. A third trap is passing around lowered gates; that is illegal and deadly. Also, if a train has passed, do not assume the tracks are clear - a second train may be coming on another track.
Rule of thumb
Stop, look both ways, and listen. Never start across the tracks unless you can clear them completely. If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get everyone out and move away from the tracks.
Worked example: You approach a crossbuck with no lights or gates and no train in sight. You may proceed without stopping, but you must slow, look, and listen - the crossbuck means yield, not mandatory stop.