Railroad Crossings and Other Special-Condition Signs
Railroad crossings and special-condition signs warn of hazards that ordinary traffic signs do not cover. The railroad advance warning is a round yellow sign with a black X and two R's; the crossbuck is a white X with RAILROAD CROSSING. Special-condition signs warn of fog, ice, flooding, or other unusual hazards. The exam tests stopping rules, gate and light obedience, and the meaning of multiple-track warnings.
Core rules
- A round yellow advance warning means a railroad crossing is ahead. Slow down, look, and listen; do not stop on the tracks.
- A crossbuck means yield to trains. If there are lights or gates, obey them. Flashing red lights mean stop; lowered gates mean stop and stay stopped. Never drive around a lowered gate.
- When required to stop at a crossing, stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. Do not stop in a position that blocks the track.
- A multiple-track sign warns that a second train may come from either direction after the first passes. Wait until you are sure all tracks are clear.
- Special-condition signs may warn of fog, smoke, ice, flooded roadway, or an uneven surface. Slow down and use low-beam headlights in fog; never drive into standing water when you cannot see the bottom.
Worked example
You approach a crossing with flashing red lights and a lowered gate. The train has just passed, and the gate is still down. Another driver ahead waves you through. You must not go. The gate and lights control the crossing, and a second train may be approaching on another track. Wait until the lights stop flashing and the gate rises completely.
Traps
Do not treat a crossbuck as a stop sign that always requires a full stop; it requires yielding, and other law or signals may require a stop. Do not assume one train means the crossing is clear. Do not drive around a gate because it appears stuck. Do not ignore an EXEMPT sign at a crossing; it does not make the crossing safe for all vehicles. Do not stop on tracks in traffic.