Safety Manager Tip of the Month: Railroad Crossings

In 2022, there were 2,199 collisions at railroad crossings in the United States. According to data from the Federal Railroad Administration, these incidents resulted in 272 deaths and 819 injuries. With more than 200,000 railroad crossings in the U.S. alone, it is critical that you know how to legally, safely and confidently cross railroad tracks without risk of disqualification or incident.

Section 392.10 requires certain types of CMV’S to stop within 50 feet of the railroad tracks and no closer than 15 feet of the railroad tracks.

Cross with caution. Just like a bus or large CMV, a train cannot stop on a dime. It takes the average train traveling at 55 miles per hour over one mile or more to stop.

• Begin slowing down when you see the advance warning sign.
• Always expect a train when approaching a crossing.
• Trains always have the right of way.
• Look and listen carefully in each direction for the sight and sound of an approaching train.
• Never race a train or drive around the lowered gates of a crossing.
• Never shift gears while crossing the tracks.

If you get stuck on the tracks, don’t panic. Get out of your vehicle and move away so you are not near the potential impact point. Call the emergency 800 number posted at the crossing or dial 911. Provide your exact location using highway numbers, street names and the DOT number posted at the crossing.

Don’t get disqualified. Actions that end in disqualification for CDL drivers are:

• Failing to stop or slow down when required.
• Failing to have enough space to completely cross without stopping.
• Failing to obey a traffic control device or the direction of an enforcement official.
• Failing to negotiate a crossing because the CMV has insufficient undercarriage clearance.

The disqualification period for railroad-highway grade crossing offenses are:

• First conviction – Minimum 60-day suspension.
• Second conviction within a 3-year period – Minimum 120-day suspension.
• Third or subsequent conviction within a 3-year period – Minimum 1-year suspension.