Is it legal to drive around a railroad crossing gate that is down?

Don’t Take the Risk: Why You Should Never Drive Around a Lowered Railroad Crossing Gate

The flashing red lights, the clanging bells, and the imposing barrier arm: these are all unmistakable warnings that a train is approaching, and you must stop. But for some, the urge to avoid a few minutes of delay can be tempting. Ignoring lowered railroad crossing gates is not only illegal but also incredibly dangerous.

It’s a simple fact: trains are massive, heavy, and impossible to stop quickly. They travel at high speeds and have little room to maneuver, making collisions with vehicles catastrophic. In fact, nearly 2,000 accidents occur at railroad crossings every year, resulting in serious injuries and tragically, fatalities.

Even if you think you can beat the train, circumventing a lowered gate is a dangerous gamble that could cost you your life. Drivers who attempt to drive around the gate:

• Risk a collision with a train: The train could be traveling faster than you think, and the time it takes to cross the tracks may be longer than anticipated.
• Endanger other drivers: If you drive around the gate, you block oncoming traffic and put other drivers in danger as they try to navigate the crossing.
• Face significant legal penalties: Driving around a lowered gate is a serious offense that can result in fines, license suspension, or even jail time.

The safest and smartest course of action is to always stop completely behind the gate. Wait patiently for the gates to raise and the signals to cease before proceeding. This may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it’s a small price to pay for your safety and the safety of others.

Remember: Respect the warnings and never attempt to drive around a lowered railroad crossing gate. The risk is simply not worth it.