Railroad Crossings

Key points

1. The round yellow railroad sign is normally posted 500 to 900 feet before the tracks in rural areas.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “In rural areas, this sign is normally posted 500 to 900 feet in front of the tracks.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 28

2. Always stop when crossing lights begin to flash; they mean a train is coming.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “ALWAYS STOP when the lights begin to flash. The lights mean a train is coming.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 28

3. School buses with children, vehicles for hire with passengers and vehicles with explosives or flammables must always stop 10 to 50 feet from the rail.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “These vehicles MUST STOP within fifty (50) to ten (10) feet of the outer rail of any crossing.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 28

4. All drivers stop 10 to 50 feet from the outer rail for a lowered gate, flashing signal, stop sign, flag person or approaching train.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “ALL drivers must ALWAYS STOP WITHIN fifty (50) to ten (10) feet of the outer rail of any railroad crossing when you see ANY of the following:”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 29

5. Driving around a lowered gate is against the law.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “It is against the law to drive around any lowered gates at a crossing.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 29

6. If stuck on the tracks when the lights flash, you may have only 20 seconds to escape.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “If your vehicle is physically on the train tracks at a grade crossing and the lights begin to flash, you may only have 20 seconds to escape before the train makes it to your location.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 29

7. Run at a 45 degree angle away from the tracks toward the direction the train is coming, then dial 911.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “Once outside, run in a 45 degree angle away from the tracks in the direction that the train is coming, then immediately dial 911.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 29

8. Look for the blue Emergency Notification System sign posted at every highway rail crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “look for the blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign situated at every highway-rail grade crossing.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 29

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Mississippi practice test

1. 1. A vehicle carrying explosives approaches a railroad crossing. What is required?

   1. Stop 50 to 10 feet from the outer rail and check both directions
   2. Cross without stopping if no warning lights are flashing
   3. Stop only when a train is visible on the nearest track
   4. Drive around a lowered gate after checking the rearview mirror
   Show answer

   Stop 50 to 10 feet from the outer rail and check both directions. Vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids are among the classes that must stop at every railroad crossing, regardless of whether lights are operating or a train can be seen. The required stopping range is 50 to 10 feet from the outer rail, followed by a check in both directions. Waiting for a visible train is too late, and a lowered gate must never be bypassed. Treat the cargo as the trigger for the mandatory stop.

2. 2. Your car stalls on Mississippi railroad tracks with a train coming. How does the manual say to run?

   1. Straight down the tracks away from the train
   2. Toward the rear of the car
   3. Stay inside and honk
   4. At a 45 degree angle away from the tracks toward the train, then dial 911
   Show answer

   At a 45 degree angle away from the tracks toward the train, then dial 911. If your vehicle stalls on the tracks and a train is coming, get everyone out, and once outside run at a 45 degree angle away from the tracks in the direction the train is coming from, so debris from the crash flies past you. Then immediately dial 911. If no train is in sight, use the emergency number posted at the crossing.

3. 3. What is prohibited when passing through a railroad crossing with lowered gates?

   1. Waiting until the gates rise and the lights stop flashing
   2. Driving around the gates
   3. Checking for a second train after the first
   4. Following a traffic officer's order to proceed
   Show answer

   Driving around the gates. The manual expressly says it is against the law to drive around lowered railroad gates. Waiting for the gates to rise and the lights to stop flashing is part of the required safe procedure. Checking for another train is an important caution, and a traffic officer's instruction is to be followed. Never try to beat a train or bypass its warning equipment. The visible gate is a firm stop cue, even if the crossing appears empty from your approach.

Source: the Mississippi Driver's Manual, Railroad Crossings. 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.