Railroad Crossings
Railroad crossings are the ninth domain of the Louisiana CDL General Knowledge exam. It tests whether you approach crossings at a safe speed, obey both passive and active warnings, and avoid the deadliest mistake-stopping on the tracks.
Approach
Slow down, look both ways, and listen. Turn off fans and radio, and open the window at crossings without gates. Do not stop closer than 15 feet from the nearest rail, and never stop on the tracks. Check that there is room to clear the crossing completely before you start across.
Signs and signals
Passive warnings include the crossbuck, stop or yield signs, and pavement markings. Active warnings include flashing red lights and bells; gates are a further warning. Flashing lights mean stop-even if you cannot see a train. A train can be closer and faster than it appears.
Crossing rules
Cross in the proper gear and do not shift while on the tracks. If the vehicle stalls or gets stuck, get everyone out and away from the tracks, then call for help. Do not try to restart the vehicle while on the tracks.
Worked example
A driver approaches a crossing with flashing red lights but no visible train. The driver stops and waits. The reasoning: the lights indicate a train is approaching or the signal is active; proceeding because the track looks clear is a fatal error, especially at night or in fog.
Traps
Racing a gate, stopping too close to the rails, assuming a train's speed from its size, and crossing without enough clearance on the far side are frequent mark-losers.