Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings
School buses must stop at every railroad-highway grade crossing, loaded or empty, unless the crossing is marked exempt or a police officer or flagger directs traffic. The test covers the stop position, what to shut off, and what to do if the bus stalls on the tracks.
The stop
- Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.
- Turn on hazard flashers. Turn off heaters, fans, defrosters, and radio so you can hear.
- Open the service door and the driver's window; look and listen both directions.
- Shift into a gear low enough that you will not shift while crossing; close the door; proceed without shifting.
- Watch for a second train on multiple tracks. Never enter unless you can clear the tracks completely.
Exceptions
- An "exempt" sign means no stop is required, but still look and listen.
- A police officer or flagger directing traffic overrides the stop rule.
If the bus stalls on the tracks
Evacuate immediately. Get students off the bus and away from the tracks; move at an angle toward an approaching train to avoid debris, and call 911.
Worked example
Gates are up and lights are not flashing, but the crossing has no exempt sign. You still stop 15-50 feet back, open the door, shut off noise, look, listen, and cross in a low gear. Reasoning: signals can fail and the law requires the stop.
Traps
- Rolling through because no train is visible.
- Stopping too close to the rail.
- Shifting gears while on the crossing.
- Stopping on the tracks in traffic and waiting.