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## Railroad Crossing Safety 

##  § 20-142.1. Obedience to railroad signal. 

(a)  Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of the vehicle shall stop within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. These requirements apply when: 

(1) A clearly visible electrical or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train; 

(2) A crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train; 

(3) A railroad train approaching within approximately 1500 feet of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from that distance, and the railroad train is an immediate hazard because of its speed or nearness to the crossing; or 

(4) An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to the crossing. 

(b)  No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed, nor shall any pedestrian pass through, around, over, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. 

(c)  When stopping as required at a railroad crossing, the driver shall keep as far to the right of the highway as possible and shall not form two lanes of traffic unless the roadway is marked for four or more lanes of traffic. 

(d)  Any person who violates any provisions of this section shall be guilty of an infraction and punished in accordance with G.S. 20-176. Violation of this section shall not constitute negligence per se. 

There are over 5,000 miles of railroad tracks and 6,800 railroad crossings in N.C. 

A train that is traveling at 55 mph takes more than a mile to come to a stop 

(e)  An employer who knowingly allows, requires, permits, or otherwise authorizes a driver of a commercial motor vehicle to violate this section shall be guilty of an infraction. Such employer will also be subject to a civil penalty under G.S. 20-37.21. (1991, c. 368, s. 1; 2005-349, s. 12.) 

A yellow and black “RR” sign indicates that you are approaching a railroad 

crossing. As you approach the tracks, look both ways and listen because you may have to stop. Trains can approach a crossing at any time from any direction. The train always has the right of way. If there is a stop sign, you must come to a full stop before safely crossing. 

Trains have the right-of-way over all highway traffic including  police, fire and ambulance emergency vehicles. 

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