Never pass at railroad grade crossings.

• A. Pass at grade crossings when no train is coming.
• B. Pass only if there is a large gap.
• C. Never pass at railroad grade crossings.
• D. Pass if the track is clear.

Answer: (C)

Never pass at railroad grade crossings. The danger comes from how unpredictable trains are and how little distance you may have to react. Even if a train isn’t visible, you can’t reliably judge its speed or how close it might be, especially with multiple tracks or signals that can mask approaching trains. Trains can become hazards very quickly, and a vehicle trying to pass nearby can be trapped on the tracks or forced into a dangerous situation if a train appears. Because of these factors, the safest rule is to avoid passing near or at any railroad crossing entirely, and wait until you are well past the crossing before considering passing. The other scenarios assume you can safely judge a gap or a clear track, but that judgment is not reliable at crossings, where the risk is high and the consequences can be severe.