Railroad crossings

Key points

1. The round yellow RR warning sign is placed 750 feet before the track.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “It means a highway railroad crossing is ahead and is placed 750 feet before the track.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 38

2. When crossing lights flash, you must stop until it is safe to proceed.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “When lights begin to flash, you must always stop until it is safe to proceed.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 39

3. At a crossbuck, slow down and be ready to stop if you see a train.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “The driver should slow down and be prepared to stop upon sighting a train.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 39

4. School buses, church buses, passenger buses and hazardous material trucks must stop at every crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “School bus, church bus, or any passenger bus. Trucks transporting flammables, explosives or other hazardous material.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 39

5. When you must stop at a crossing, stop within 15 to 50 feet of it.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “When approaching a railroad crossing. You must stop within 15 to 50 ft.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 39

6. Never drive around gates. It is against the law.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Never drive around gates. If the gates are down, stay in place and do not cross the tracks until they are raised. It is against the law to go around gates.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

7. Alabama ranks 13th in the nation for crossing fatalities, and a motorist is 40 times more likely to die in a crash with a train.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Alabama ranks #13 in the nation for highway-railroad crossing fatalities. A motorist is 40 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

8. If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, get everyone out and away from the tracks.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, get everyone out of the vehicle immediately and away from the tracks.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Alabama practice test

1. 1. How far before the track is Alabama's round railroad warning sign placed?

   1. 100 feet
   2. 2,000 feet
   3. 750 feet
   4. Directly at the crossing
   Show answer

   750 feet. The round railroad warning sign is yellow with a black X and the letters RR. It means a highway railroad crossing is ahead and is placed 750 feet before the track. The pavement may also be marked with a large X and two RR's, a yellow line in advance of the crossing means no passing, and white lines beside the track show where to stop.

2. 2. What does a round yellow railroad warning sign tell a driver?

   
   1. A railroad crossing is ahead, so the driver must slow and look both ways
   2. A roundabout is ahead and traffic moves counter-clockwise
   3. A no-passing zone begins immediately at the sign
   4. A road construction crew is working around the next curve
   Show answer

   A railroad crossing is ahead, so the driver must slow and look both ways. The advance railroad warning sign gives drivers time to prepare before reaching the tracks. Slow down, look carefully in both directions, and be ready to stop. It is not a roundabout instruction, a passing restriction, or a work-zone notice. The warning is especially important because a train cannot stop quickly, so a driver must make the crossing decision before entering the rail area.

3. 3. What should a driver do at a railroad crossing marked by a crossbuck?

   
   1. Approach cautiously and make sure all tracks are clear before crossing
   2. Accelerate so the vehicle is over the tracks quickly
   3. Stop only if another vehicle is already on the tracks
   4. Cross immediately because the crossbuck gives the driver priority
   Show answer

   Approach cautiously and make sure all tracks are clear before crossing. A crossbuck identifies the railroad crossing and demands careful observation before the vehicle enters the tracks. The driver should approach with caution and confirm that every track is clear. Speeding up, waiting for another vehicle to react, or assuming priority ignores the hazard. Scan both directions and account for a train that may be hidden by darkness, weather, or a nearby obstruction.

Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 4: The Driver. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.