Chapter 4 — Your Driving 59 A railroad crossing sign indicates you are approaching a railroad crossing and  you must:  • Approach with caution • Prepare to stop and be alert for a train • Proceed with caution after a train has passed • Never stop on train tracks for any reason The X-shaped railroad grade crossing sign, known as a Crossbuck  Sign is mounted at the railroad crossing. A smaller sign below the  crossbuck indicates if there is more than one track.  Many crossings have flashing red lights or flashing red lights with  gates. If the warning signal activates, you must stop before the gates  lower across your side of the road.  It is unlawful and extremely  dangerous to move through a railroad crossing when the gates  are lowered. You will not be able to cross the tracks before the train arrives  and the train cannot turn and will not be able to stop. As you approach a railroad crossing, you must: • Slow your speed; • Look both ways; •   Listen for the train; •   Keep alert; and • Watch for the railroad crossing signal. Remember these railroad crossing rules: • Railroads are private property and it is illegal and dangerous to drive on or  cross the tracks except at designated railroad crossings; • Vehicles must always yield to a train even when the crossing only has a  crossbuck and no lights or gates; • When flashing red lights are used with crossbuck signs at the railroad  crossing, you must stop, just as you would stop for any flashing red traffic signal; • If you are waiting for a train to pass, be patient; • Do not proceed to move immediately after the train has passed — there  may be another train moving in the opposite direction from or following the  first train; • Always wait until the red lights have stopped flashing before moving ahead; • Be prepared to stop for vehicles that must stop at crossings, such as school  buses, motor vehicles carrying passengers, for-hire vehicles or vehicles  transporting explosives or hazardous materials (these vehicles are marked  with placards). If you happen to be crossing the tracks and the warning lights  begin flashing or gates start to come down, do not stop, do not backup,  KEEP MOVING. The warning signals will allow enough time for you to  finish driving through the crossing before the train arrives. If the gate on the  far side of the tracks comes down before you get across, DO NOT PANIC.