The following are tips for commercial drivers to help you avoid an accident with a train or involving train tracks:
Do not “race” a train to a crossing. Trains move faster than they appear, and if you can see the train, you should wait for it to pass before crossing.
Never drive around lowered gates, even if there is no train in sight. If you have been waiting a long time, call the 800 number posted at the crossing for more information. Driving around lowered gates is illegal and extremely dangerous.
Make sure your trailer jacks are in the “up” position. Your truck may become stuck on the railroad tracks at crossings if jacks are not retracted.
If you get stuck on the tracks at a railroad crossing, immediately exit your vehicle and look for the 800 number posted at the crossing. Call this number, or if it’s not available call the police, so that nearby trains are alerted of your position.
Remember that a train’s stopping distance is even greater than a commercial truck’s. A freight train moving at 55 miles per hour may need up to a mile to stop.