If a gate near a drawbridge is about to lower across the road:
- Find a way around the gate.
- Quickly drive under the lowering gate.
- Come to a complete stop and wait for the gate to rise before you proceed. ✓
- Stop only if you cannot pass underneath the gate before it lowers completely.
Answer: C. Come to a complete stop and wait for the gate to rise before you proceed.
Come to a complete stop and wait for the gate to rise before you proceed.
Why this is the answer
The Florida handbook says that when a drawbridge gate's red lights begin to flash, you must stop before the gate lowers across your lane. It also says driving around or under a drawbridge gate is against the law and very dangerous, whether the gate is down or moving. So the safe and legal action is to stop completely and remain stopped until the gate has risen and it is safe to proceed.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Find a way around the gate. — Looking for a way around the gate is wrong because the handbook says it is against the law to drive around a drawbridge gate and extremely dangerous.
- B. Quickly drive under the lowering gate. — Driving quickly under the lowering gate is wrong because the handbook says it is against the law to drive under a drawbridge gate while it is being lowered or closed.
- D. Stop only if you cannot pass underneath the gate before it lowers completely. — Stopping only if you cannot beat the gate is wrong because the handbook requires you to stop when the lights flash and before the gate lowers, not after judging whether you can pass.
Remember it
Red lights flashing at a drawbridge gate mean stop before the gate moves; never duck around or under it.