By the time you see the train at the crossing, it's too late to avoid the crash. Drivers who pass vehicles when approaching a highway-rail crossing run the risk of a collision at the crossing. Watch for vehicles that must stop at highway-rail crossings. Be prepared to stop when you are following buses or trucks that are required to stop at highway-rail crossings and never pass these vehicles at crossings. Before starting across the tracks, be sure there's room to get completely across.
Many crossings are on a raised surface higher than the roadway.
Shifting gears with a manual transmission while going across this raised surface may cause the vehicle to stall on the tracks. Don't try to take any other items with you. When the train strikes the vehicle, it will send flying metal and glass ahead of and outward from the locomotive. If a train is not approaching, be sure to get yourself and all other passengers out of the vehicle and to a safe location. If possible, push the vehicle off the tracks.