General Knowledge · Railroad-Highway Crossings
A driver of a vehicle that must stop under 49 CFR 392.10 has looked, listened, and confirmed no train is approaching, and is now crossing the tracks. What does the regulation require about gear changes during the crossing?
1.Cross in a gear that will complete the crossing without a change of gears, and do not shift gears while on the tracksCorrect answer
2.Shift down to a lower gear once the vehicle is halfway across the tracks, so the engine has extra pulling power for the rest of the way
3.Gear changes are permitted at any point during the crossing, as long as the driver has already confirmed no train is approaching
4.Come to a complete stop a second time once the vehicle is on the tracks, to check once more for a second train on another track
Explanation
The driver must pick a gear that will carry the vehicle completely across the tracks without needing to shift, and must not change gears while actually crossing, under 49 CFR 392.10. One wrong option, stopping a second time once on the tracks, describes the exact danger this rule exists to prevent rather than a required action, since a vehicle stalled or stopped on the tracks can be struck by a train. The other two wrong options each invent a permission the regulation does not grant: shifting midway for extra power, or treating gear changes as unrestricted throughout the crossing.
Source: 49 CFR 392.10
Related Railroad-Highway Crossings questions
- Under federal regulation, which of these vehicles must come to a complete stop at every railroad-highway grade crossing, even one with no warning lights or gates?
- A driver operating a CMV not covered by 49 CFR 392.10 (not a passenger bus, not marked or placarded for hazardous materials) approaches a railroad crossing with no gates or lights. What does 49 CFR 392.11 require?
- A driver's trailer high-centers and gets stuck on a raised railroad crossing. What should the driver do first?
- A driver stopped at a crossing with two sets of tracks watches one train pass and clear the crossing. What should the driver do before proceeding?