Ask A Trooper

Sgt. Jesse Grabow

Question: Every once in a while, I notice some vehicles stop in the road at the railroad tracks when nothing is coming. Can I pass them when they do this?

  Answer: Some vehicles, such as passenger vans, buses, and larger trucks, are required to stop at all railroad tracks, whether or not a train is present. Do not pass these vehicles. It is illegal to pass any vehicle within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.

Here are some additional safety tips:

• Yield the right-of-way to trains at highway-rail crossings. It’s the law.

• Never drive around lowering gates, it’s illegal and deadly.

• Only cross tracks where they are marked with pedestrian crossing markings.

• Never race a train to the crossing, even if it is a tie, you lose.

• Expect a train on the track at any time, trains do not follow set schedules.

• Look out for the second train when crossing multiple tracks.

• Immediately get out of your vehicle if it stalls on the crossing, get clear of the tracks and call 911.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.