Rail Crossing Tips
- Do not walk or drive any vehicle on or near rails or climb on railroad cars. Walking on the rails may seem like fun, but you're taking the chance of being hit by the train.
- When crossing the railroad tracks on foot, always cross at the highway-rail grade crossing and obey all signs and signals. Stay off railroad bridges and trestles, and out of tunnels. They are not wide enough for both you and a train to be there at the same time. And it is you who will get trapped.
- Never drive or walk around gates or flashing red lights. If the gates are down, stop and stay in place. Do not cross the tracks until the gates are raised and the lights have stopped flashing. Some highway rail crossings have multiple tracks. Make sure there isn't a second train hidden behind the first train.
- Expect a train on any track at any time. Most trains do not travel on a regular schedule. Be cautious at a highway-rail grade crossing at any time of the day or night.
- Don't get trapped on a highway-rail grade crossing. Never drive onto a highway-rail grade crossing until you are sure you can clear the tracks. Once you have started across the tracks, keep going.
- Get out of your vehicle if it stalls. If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, get everyone out and off the tracks immediately. If a train is approaching, quickly move away from the tracks always in the direction from which the train is approaching.