Railroad crossing safety tips
Driving safety and laws
Drivers must take precautions in and around school zones, and children need to learn how to be safe getting to school too.
- Stay alert.
- Watch for children who might run between vehicles.
- Be mindful of children at bus stops.
- Put away your cellphone.
- Slow down.
- Obey school zone speed limit signs and all traffic rules.
- Drive safely around school buses.
- Drop off and pick up children in the designated areas.
- Stay alert.
- Don't run between vehicles.
- Look both ways before crossing the street.
- Put away electronic devices.
- Cross at intersections and designated crosswalks.
- Obey crossing guards.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
- Never attempt to cross a multi-lane highway.
- Walk on sidewalks.
- Wear a helmet when riding a bike.
- Your chance of surviving a collision with a train is significantly less than with another car. Don’t risk your life!
- Remember, trains take longer than cars to stop.
- Reduce your speed when approaching crossings and look both ways.
- Look and listen for trains even if the red lights and crossing arms aren't active.
- Reduce speed when approaching crossings and look both ways.
- Be sure all tracks are clear before crossing — there may be more than one set.
- If red lights are flashing or if crossing arms have been lowered, stop: DO NOT CROSS!
- Never stop on the tracks.
- If your vehicle breaks down on the tracks, get out and dial 9-1-1.
Texas law requires drivers to yield the right of way to trains.
It is against the law to cross tracks if a train is visible or to drive around gates that have been lowered at a railroad crossing.
If the crossing arms are lowered and no train is coming, the road is closed.