Recent deaths at railroad crossings are a reminder that crossings are a dangerous part of the roads. It is extremely important that people who are crossing look both ways specially when driving.

The law requires people to stop whenever: a signal that is visual or audible provides a warning of a train approaching, a crossing gate closes or a person signals, a train sounds its whistle or when it’s visible.

During a driving test the instructor uses a street with a railroad crossing to grade based on safety, and following the rules at a train crossing.

The majority of the railroads have protective bars with red lights that warn before a train is on its way. Safety in crossing is important because people can get hurt and lives can be lost.

When a train is coming it is never a good idea to speed up to cross before the train arrives or before the bars, go down. A driver should be aware that the rails can make the car get stuck. The consequences, the criminal penalties, fines, and imprisonment, as well as getting hurt, are too great.