At a railroad crossing with flashing lights, what is the correct action?

• A. Proceed slowly if you think you have time.
• B. Stop when signals are active.
• C. Cross as soon as the lights start flashing.
• D. Stop when signals are active and do not cross until lights stop and barriers are raised.

Answer: (D)

When you approach a railroad crossing and you see flashing lights, that signal means a train is coming or is about to come, and the crossing is not safe to use. The correct action is to come to a complete stop and wait. You should not cross until the lights stop flashing and the barriers are raised, signaling that the track is clear. This ensures you aren’t caught by a train that can reach the crossing more quickly than you expect, and it accounts for multiple tracks or trains that may be obscured from view.

So, why this choice is the best: stopping while the signals are active and waiting for both the lights to stop and the barriers to rise provides a definitive, safe moment to proceed only when the crossing is fully clear. The other ideas are unsafe: trying to gauge time and creep through, or crossing the moment lights begin flashing, can put you in the path of a train. Even stopping but not waiting for the barriers to rise leaves you exposed if a train arrives or the signal system hasn’t fully cleared the crossing.