When you approach a railroad crossing without flashing warning signals or crossing gates, you should:
- Cross the tracks immediately and as quickly as possible.
- Always stop before crossing the tracks.
- Prepare to yield to any train at the crossing. ✓
- Speed up to beat any oncoming train.
Answer: C. Prepare to yield to any train at the crossing.
Prepare to yield to any train at the crossing.
Why this is the answer
At a crossing with no flashing lights or gates, the manual says to slow down and be ready to stop. Before you cross, look and listen and make sure no train is coming. If a train is coming, wait for it to pass, then cross only when it is safe. The manual also says you cannot cross when an approaching train is close enough or fast enough to be a danger, even if the crossing has no signals. So you should approach ready to yield to any train.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Cross the tracks immediately and as quickly as possible. — Crossing immediately and as fast as possible skips the need to look and listen and to wait when a train is coming.
- B. Always stop before crossing the tracks. — Always stopping is not required at every crossing without signals; the manual says to slow down, be ready to stop, and cross when safe.
- D. Speed up to beat any oncoming train. — Speeding up to beat a train is wrong because you may not cross when an approaching train is close or fast enough to be a danger.
Remember it
No lights or gates does not mean all clear: slow down, look, and listen before the tracks.