What should you do at a railroad crossing?

At railroad crossings, it is essential to practice caution given the potential dangers of oncoming trains. The recommended action is to stop, look, and listen for trains. This procedure ensures that you have a clear understanding of the crossing environment before proceeding. Stopping allows you to observe your surroundings, looking both ways and listening for any sounds that might indicate an approaching train.

This method helps to prevent accidents, as trains can come from either direction and often travel at high speeds. Additionally, rail crossings may not always have active signals to indicate when it is safe to cross, making this proactive approach crucial for safety.

The other approaches, such as speeding up to cross quickly or proceeding without stopping even if no train is visible, can be highly dangerous. Likewise, waiting for a traffic signal at a railroad crossing is not applicable because these crossings do not operate with typical traffic lights. Always prioritizing safety by stopping and assessing the situation is the best practice at railroad crossings.