Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Procedures
The required stop
California requires a school bus carrying passengers to stop at all railroad crossings, whether or not the crossing is protected by gates, lights, or a flagger, and whether or not the bus is empty in most cases - the safe rule is to stop every time. Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. Set the parking brake, open the door or window to listen, and turn off noisy equipment such as the heater fan and radio.
Look and listen
Look and listen in both directions, then look again. Cross only when the bus can clear the tracks completely without stopping. Use the lowest gear that will carry the bus across without shifting, and do not stop, shift, or change gears while on the tracks. If the bus stalls on the tracks, evacuate students immediately and move them well away from the tracks and toward the direction of an approaching train, then call for help.
Traps to expect
Questions often test the distance window (15 to 50 feet), the requirement to stop even when the crossing is gated, and the evacuation direction after a stall. Another trap is the claim that a driver may proceed if no train is visible without opening the door to listen, or that the bus may stop on the tracks if traffic ahead is backed up. The correct answer is to wait until there is room to clear the crossing.
Rule of thumb
Stop 15 to 50 feet back, open the door, look and listen twice, cross without stopping.