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 the police right away if there is an injury or a death.

   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. Wyoming says that if you are involved in a crash you must stop your vehicle at or near the crash scene and stay there until the police have arrived and questioned everyone involved. Leaving after exchanging information, or after simply calling police, is too early, and pressure from traffic behind you does not end the obligation. The same list says to give aid to injured persons and send for an ambulance, warn passing traffic, record names, addresses and vehicle details, and contact police for injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more.

2. 2. Your car breaks down on the Interstate and you have pulled onto the shoulder. What does the Wyoming manual say about walking for help?

   1. Walk along the median to the next exit
   2. Do not walk for help on the Interstate
   3. Walk only during daylight
   4. Walk to the nearest exit if it is within one mile
   Show answer

   Do not walk for help on the Interstate. When your vehicle is not working properly, Wyoming's manual says to stop with all four wheels on the shoulder, turn on your emergency four-way flashers, and get out on the side away from traffic. To show you need help, tie a white cloth to an antenna or door handle and raise your hood or trunk lid. The manual says DO NOT walk for help if you are on the Interstate. If you cannot get your vehicle off the road, remove all passengers and get them away from the area.

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.