Railroad Crossing Signs and Signals
Railroad crossing signs and signals warn of trains that cannot stop quickly. Minnesota's exam tests the advance warning sign, crossbuck, and active signal rules.
Core rules
- The advance railroad warning sign is a round yellow sign with a black X and RR; it means a crossing is ahead.
- The crossbuck is a white X with RAILROAD CROSSING; it is a yield sign, so slow and stop if a train is approaching.
- Flashing red lights mean stop; a lowered gate means stop and never drive around it.
- Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail; never stop on the tracks.
- A plaque with a number indicates multiple tracks; wait until all tracks are clear. A quiet zone reduces horn use, not signal obedience.
Worked example
You approach a crossing with a crossbuck but no lights or gates. A train is visible to the left and approaching. The crossbuck requires you to yield; because the train is close, you stop beyond 15 feet from the rail and wait. The absence of active signals does not mean the crossing is safe, and a train's speed and distance are hard to judge at night.
Traps
- Treating a crossbuck as a warning only, not a yield requirement.
- Stopping too close to the rail, where the train's overhang can strike your vehicle.
- Driving around a lowered gate after a train passes, before the gate rises.
- Assuming a quiet zone means no train will come.