How-to
Railroad crossings, and what to do if the car stalls on the tracks
Cross railroad tracks safely, and if the car stops on them, get everyone clear and call the number on the blue sign at the crossing.
Satisfy+ Editorial · Published September 8, 2026 · 2 min read · 5 min to do
At a glance
- Stalled on the tracks
- Get out and move at least 15 feet away
- Then call
- The number on the blue-and-white sign
- Tell them
- The crossing number on the sign
- A train at 55 mph
- Takes a mile or more to stop
A train moving at 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop, so it can't stop for a car on the tracks. A driver is 20 times more likely to die in a crash with a train than in a crash with another vehicle. Three out of four crashes at crossings happen within 25 miles of the driver's home, and in one out of five, the car runs into the train.
What you need
- Your phone
Steps
- 1
Be ready to stop as you come up to the crossing
Slow down, look both ways and listen. Know what each sign and warning device means.
1 min
- 2
Take extra care at a crossing with no lights or gates
A crossing with only signs has no flashing lights or gates to warn you. Look and listen before you go.
1 min
- 3
Check there's room on the far side before you start across
Make sure the car can clear the tracks completely, so traffic ahead can't leave you stopped on them.
1 min
- 4
Never race a train, and never stop on the tracks
Most crashes at crossings happen when the train is going less than 30 mph.
1 min
- 5
If the car stalls on the tracks, get everyone out
Move at least 15 feet away from the tracks.
1 min
- 6
Call the number on the blue-and-white sign
Every crossing has an Emergency Notification System sign with the railroad's emergency number.
2 min
- 7
Tell the dispatcher where you are and what's wrong
Read out the crossing identification number on the sign, which tells the railroad exactly which crossing it is, then say what the emergency is.
2 min
Get ready for railroad crossings
- Find the blue emergency sign at a crossing you use often
The blue sign is for any problem at a crossing
Use the same sign and number to report a warning device that isn't working, or anything else unsafe at the crossing. The number reaches the railroad responsible for that crossing.
On foot or on a bike
Cross only at a marked crossing, quickly, and never stop on the tracks. Cross at a right angle with a bike, a stroller or a wheelchair, since the wheels can catch in the rails. Phones, music and conversation make it easy to miss a train.
FAQ
What should I do if my car stalls on railroad tracks?
Get everyone out, move at least 15 feet away from the tracks, and call the emergency number on the blue-and-white sign at the crossing.
Where is the railroad's emergency number?
On the blue-and-white Emergency Notification System sign at every crossing, with the crossing's identification number.
How long does a train take to stop?
A train moving at 55 mph takes a mile or more.
Sources
Checked October 20, 2026
- Federal Railroad Administration. Pedestrian and motorist safety at highway-rail grade crossings (2025)
- Federal Railroad Administration. Emergency notification systems at highway-rail grade crossings (2025)
- Federal Railroad Administration. Highway-rail grade crossing resource guide (2015)
- Car
