Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings and Special Driving Situations
What this domain tests
Buses carrying passengers must stop at railroad-highway grade crossings; this is one of the most tested passenger-vehicle rules. The domain also covers drawbridges, tunnels, work zones, and other special situations Florida drivers meet.
The crossing stop
- Stop at every railroad crossing, whether or not a train is visible.
- Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail - close enough to see and hear but not so close that the bus overhangs the track.
- Open the door or a window, turn off the radio and heater/defroster fan, and listen.
- Look both ways and check for a second train on multiple tracks.
- Cross without stopping or shifting gears; do not stop on the tracks.
- Exceptions: a police officer or flagger directs you through, or an activated traffic control signal is green. Even then, never cross if a train is visible or the gate is down.
Other special situations
- Drawbridges: stop before the bridge, obey the signal and gate, and do not proceed until the bridge is fully closed and the signal permits.
- Tunnels: headlights on, no passing, no stopping, and follow any hazmat restrictions.
- Work zones: reduced speed, narrowed lanes, and workers close to traffic; slow before the taper.
- Hurricane and flood conditions: follow evacuation routes, avoid standing and moving water, and expect high winds on bridges.
Worked example
A bus approaches a crossing with a green traffic signal and the gate up. The driver sees a train approaching from the left, but the light is green. May the driver proceed? No. The green-signal exception does not authorize crossing when a train is visible or the crossing is not clear. The driver stops, opens the window, confirms the train has passed or is stopped, and only then crosses.
Traps that cost marks
- Stopping more than 50 feet back and calling it "close enough".
- Stopping less than 15 feet from the rail, so the front bumper overhangs.
- Shifting gears while on the crossing.
- Following the bus ahead through the crossing without making your own stop.
- Treating the green light as permission when a train is coming.