What must you do at an approaching railroad crossing with warning signs or signals?

• A. Slow down, look for signs of an approaching train, and stop if required by signals; do not cross until clear.
• B. Stop immediately and reverse away.
• C. Speed up to cross before train arrives.
• D. Treat as yield and cross as soon as possible.

Answer: (A)

When you approach a railroad crossing that has warning devices, the priority is to slow down, actively scan for any approaching train, and be prepared to stop if the signals require it. The idea is to treat the crossing as a potential hazard and only cross after the tracks are clearly safe. Trains can be closer than they appear and can take a long distance to stop, so you should not proceed until the signals indicate it’s clear. The other options are unsafe: stopping and backing up on the tracks creates a dangerous situation, speeding up to beat a train is reckless, and crossing as soon as possible without ensuring safety ignores the signals and the possibility of an approaching train. If there’s no train or signal active, proceed carefully and cross only when it’s clearly safe.