When a railroad crossing is not controlled, what is the speed limit when you are within 100 feet and cannot see for 400 feet in both directions?
- 15 mph. ✓
- 10 mph.
- 25 mph.
Answer: A. 15 mph.
The speed limit is 15 mph when you are within 100 feet of an uncontrolled railroad crossing and cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions.
Why this is the answer
The handbook sets a 15 mph limit for exactly this situation: you are within 100 feet of the crossing and your view of the tracks is blocked for 400 feet each way. It also notes you may drive faster than 15 mph only when the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagman. Since the crossing here is uncontrolled, the lower limit applies, so you slow down enough to stop, look, and listen before going across.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. 10 mph. — The handbook gives no 10 mph limit for railroad crossings, so that number does not come from the rule.
- C. 25 mph. — 25 mph is the school-zone limit while children are outside, not the limit for an uncontrolled railroad crossing with limited visibility.
Remember it
Think of the paired numbers at an uncontrolled crossing: 100 feet of distance pairs with 15 mph, and the 400-foot sight rule just tells you whether that limit kicks in.