You may drive around or under a gate that is being lowered or raised at a railroad crossing:
- As long as an approaching train is not too close.
- If your vehicle can do so without damaging the gate.
- If you first look carefully in both directions.
- Under no circumstances. ✓
Answer: D. Under no circumstances.
You may not drive around or under a railroad crossing gate that is being lowered or raised under any circumstances; the gate is a legal stop signal.
Why this is the answer
The Florida handbook says it is against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate, whether it is down or moving. It also tells drivers to stop when the lights flash and before the gate lowers across their lane. So a train seeming far away, avoiding damage to the gate, or looking both ways does not create an exception. The passage gives no permission to pass a gate that is lowering or rising.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. As long as an approaching train is not too close. — The rule does not depend on how close the train appears, so an approaching train not being close is not an exception.
- B. If your vehicle can do so without damaging the gate. — Avoiding damage to the gate does not permit driving around or under it; the handbook says passing a moving gate is against the law.
- C. If you first look carefully in both directions. — Looking carefully in both directions does not authorize crossing; the handbook still prohibits driving around or under a gate that is down or being opened or closed.
Remember it
Gate down or gate in motion: wait, with no exception.