Railroad and Crossing Signs
Railroad and crossing signs warn that train tracks intersect the road. Kansas practice questions test the crossbuck, advance warning signs, pavement markings, flashing lights, gates, and the rule against stopping on tracks. Trains cannot stop quickly, so the driver must yield.
Core rules
- A round yellow sign with an X and "RR" is an advance warning that a railroad crossing is ahead.
- A crossbuck is a white X-shaped sign with "RAILROAD CROSSING." It means yield to trains; it is not a stop sign for every approach unless another sign or signal requires a stop.
- Flashing red lights mean stop. Gates mean stop and remain stopped until the gates rise and the lights stop flashing.
- Pavement markings include a stop line and an X or RR symbol. Stop before the line, not on the tracks.
- If a crossing has no lights or gates, slow down, look both ways, and listen before crossing. Do not stop on tracks if traffic ahead may block you.
Worked example
You approach a crossing with a crossbuck, flashing red lights, and a lowered gate. The lights are flashing even though you see no train. Stop before the stop line and wait. Do not drive around the gate or follow a vehicle that crosses illegally. The gate and lights control the crossing; the crossbuck alone would require yielding to an approaching train, but the active signal requires a stop.
Traps
A crossbuck is not the same as a STOP sign at an ordinary intersection. Do not treat a quiet crossing as safe without looking and listening. Never stop on the tracks while waiting in traffic. Also, do not assume a train's distance means it is slow; trains can appear closer and faster than expected.