Crashes, breakdowns and railroad crossings

Key points

1. After a crash, stop and stay until police arrive and question everyone involved.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Stop your vehicle at or near the crash scene, and stay there until the police have arrived and questioned everyone involved;”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 67

2. Do not move an injured person unless there is danger of another crash.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “DO NOT MOVE AN INJURED PERSON unless there is danger of another crash;”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 67

3. Contact police for an injury, death or property damage of $1,000 or more.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Contact the police if there is an injury, death or property damage amounting to $1,000 or more.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 67

4. If you damage an unattended vehicle, you must also contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Then you must also contact the nearest law enforcement agency.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 67

5. For a breakdown, stop with all four wheels on the shoulder.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “If your vehicle is not working properly and you need to stop, you should stop with all four wheels on the shoulder.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 84

6. Do not walk for help on the interstate.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “DO NOT walk for help if you are on the Interstate.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 84

7. If you stall on the tracks, get everyone out and far away, then call 911.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “If your vehicle stalls on the highway-rail intersection, get everyone out of the vehicle and far away from the tracks immediately. NEVER try to start your vehicle or push it off the track with passengers inside. Call 911 to report the emergency situation;”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 85

8. Never drive onto a crossing unless you can clear the tracks without stopping.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “NEVER drive onto a highway-rail intersection until you are sure you can clear the tracks on the other side without stopping”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 85

9. Never pass another vehicle at a highway rail intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “NEVER pass another vehicle at a highway-rail intersection.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 85

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Wyoming practice test

1. 1. After a traffic crash, how long must you stay at or near the scene?

   1. After calling police, even before officers question anyone
   2. After exchanging complete information, even if police have not arrived
   3. Until police have arrived and questioned everyone involved
   4. Only until traffic behind you begins honking
   Show answer

   Until police have arrived and questioned everyone involved. A driver involved in a crash must stop at or near the scene and stay there until police arrive and question everyone involved. Leaving after exchanging information or after simply calling police is too early, and traffic pressure does not end the obligation. Leaving can prevent injured people from receiving aid and can deprive investigators of essential information. The manual also calls for helping injured people when possible, warning approaching traffic, collecting identifying information, and contacting police for injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more.

2. 2. During a breakdown, where should you place the vehicle if you need to stop?

   1. With only the right-side wheels on the shoulder
   2. With all four wheels on the shoulder
   3. Partly in the travel lane so the vehicle remains visible
   4. On the shoulder only after stopping first in the lane
   Show answer

   With all four wheels on the shoulder. For a breakdown, Wyoming directs a driver to stop with all four wheels on the shoulder. That position removes the disabled vehicle from the active travel path and gives approaching traffic room to pass. Keeping only two wheels on the shoulder leaves part of the vehicle in the lane, and stopping first in the lane increases exposure. Turn on emergency flashers after securing the vehicle, and avoid getting out on the traffic side. The goal is full separation from moving traffic.

3. 3. If your vehicle stalls on a highway-rail intersection, what should you do first?

   1. Stay inside and try to restart it
   2. Get everyone out and far away from the tracks
   3. Push the vehicle while passengers remain inside
   4. Wait for the crossing gates to rise
   Show answer

   Get everyone out and far away from the tracks. A stalled vehicle on the tracks creates an immediate danger from a train, so everyone must leave the vehicle and move far away from the tracks. Trying to restart the car delays escape, and pushing it with passengers inside exposes them to the same impact zone. Waiting for a gate to rise is also unsafe because the vehicle may be struck before that happens. Once people are clear, call 911 and report the emergency. The key cue is escape distance, not vehicle recovery.

Source: the Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Special Driving Conditions and Emergencies. 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.