Specific Regulations for Railroad Crossings Flashcards

At what distance from railroad tracks must a school bus stop before crossing?

Answer: 15 to 50 feet

California law requires school buses to stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail before crossing railroad tracks.

A school bus is at a railroad crossing and the signal arms start to lower as the bus begins to cross. What should the driver do?

Answer: Accelerate and clear the tracks as quickly as possible

If the bus has started crossing and signals activate, the driver must accelerate to clear the tracks immediately — stopping on tracks is extremely dangerous.

What must a school bus driver do with windows and the passenger service door at a railroad crossing before crossing?

Answer: Open a window and the passenger service door to listen for trains

Drivers must open a window and the passenger service door to listen for approaching trains — visual checking alone is insufficient at some crossings.

Under what circumstances is a school bus NOT required to stop at a railroad crossing in California?

Answer: At crossings marked with a 'Exempt' sign by state or local authority

Crossings marked 'Exempt' by appropriate authority are the only exception to the mandatory stop requirement for school buses.

How many lanes of traffic must a school bus driver verify are clear before proceeding across a multi-track railroad crossing?

Answer: All tracks — the bus must not proceed until it can completely clear all tracks without stopping

At a multi-track crossing, the driver must not begin crossing until there is enough space to completely clear all tracks without stopping.

What must a driver do if the bus stalls on railroad tracks with students on board?

Answer: Immediately evacuate all students away from the tracks and call 911

Students must be immediately evacuated and moved away from the tracks — a stalled bus on tracks is a life-threatening emergency.