SAFETY
Trains and cars don't mix. Never drive around lowered gates — it's illegal and deadly.
Never race a train to the crossing — even if you tie, you lose.
The train you see is closer and faster-moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That's 18 football fields!
If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping.
Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides. If your vehicle ever stalls on a track with a train coming, get out immediately and move quickly away from the tracks in the direction from which the train is coming.
At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching from either direction.
When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping.
Remember it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail. ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.
CROSSING RCW
RCW 46.61.340 Approaching train signal.
(1) Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until the crossing can be made safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:
(a) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train;
(b) A crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagger gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train;
(c) An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing. (2) No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.