What to Do When You Approach a Railroad Crossing in South Carolina

Stop, look, and listen before you cross railroad tracks

When you see flashing red lights, crossing gates coming down, or a train approaching a railroad crossing, you must stop your vehicle at least 15 feet from the nearest rail. Do not shift into neutral, turn off your engine, or leave your vehicle unattended while stopped. Stay stopped until the lights stop flashing, the gates are fully raised, and you can see clearly in both directions that no train is coming.

South Carolina law treats railroad crossings as serious hazards. A train traveling at 55 miles per hour needs a mile or more to stop. Your vehicle cannot outrun a train, and a collision is almost always fatal. The rules exist because trains are heavier, faster, and less maneuverable than any other vehicle on the road.

If you drive around lowered crossing gates or ignore flashing red lights, you can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined. More importantly, you risk your life and the lives of your passengers.

Key Takeaways

• Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail when you see flashing red lights or lowered crossing gates, and do not proceed until lights stop flashing and you can see both directions clearly.
• Never shift into neutral, turn off your engine, or leave your vehicle while stopped at a crossing, because you need to be able to move quickly if a train approaches unexpectedly.
• Driving around lowered gates or through flashing red lights is a misdemeanor in South Carolina and can result in a fine and criminal charges.
• Trains cannot stop quickly and cannot steer around obstacles, so a collision at a railroad crossing is almost always fatal.
• If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get out immediately and move away from the tracks in the direction the train is coming from, then call 911.

What the warning signs mean

A flashing red light at a railroad crossing means a train is approaching or occupying the crossing. You must stop immediately. Do not proceed until the light stops flashing and you have looked both ways to confirm no train is present.

Lowered crossing gates mean the same thing as flashing red lights. Driving around a lowered gate is illegal and dangerous. The gate is there to physically block your path because a train is near.

A white X sign with the words "Railroad Crossing" marks the location of a crossing but does not mean a train is coming. Slow down, look both ways, and listen for a train horn. If you see or hear a train, stop immediately.

Some crossings have bells or horns that sound when a train is approaching. If you hear these sounds, treat them the same as flashing lights—stop and do not cross.

What to do if your vehicle stalls on the tracks

If your engine dies while you are on the railroad tracks, do not try to restart it. Get out of your vehicle immediately and move away from the tracks. Move in the direction the train is coming from—this way, if the train hits your car, it will push the wreckage away from you instead of toward you.

Once you are safely away from the tracks, call 911 and tell the dispatcher that your vehicle is on the railroad tracks. Give them the crossing location and the name of the railroad if you can see it on a sign. Do not go back to your vehicle until emergency responders tell you it is safe.

If you see another vehicle stalled on the tracks, call 911 immediately. Do not try to push the vehicle off the tracks yourself—you do not have time, and you will put yourself in danger.

Rules for large vehicles and buses

If you are driving a truck, bus, or any vehicle that could stall or get stuck on the tracks, you must shift into a lower gear before crossing. This gives your engine power to move through the crossing without stalling. Do not shift into neutral while crossing.

School buses and other buses carrying passengers must come to a complete stop at every railroad crossing, even if no train is visible. The driver must open the door, look both ways, listen for a train, and only proceed when certain the crossing is clear. This rule applies even at crossings with no flashing lights or gates.

Vehicles carrying hazardous materials must also stop at every crossing. The driver must treat every crossing as if a train could appear at any moment.

Penalties for breaking railroad crossing rules

Driving around lowered crossing gates or through flashing red lights is a misdemeanor in South Carolina. You can be fined and may face jail time. The exact penalty depends on the circumstances and whether anyone was injured.

If your violation causes a collision with a train, the penalties are much more severe. You could face felony charges, substantial fines, and prison time. If someone is killed, you could be charged with vehicular homicide.

Insurance companies also take railroad crossing violations seriously. A violation on your record can raise your premiums or lead to cancellation of your policy.

What happens at crossings without gates or lights

Some railroad crossings in South Carolina have no flashing lights, gates, or bells. These are called passive crossings. They are marked only with a white X sign and the words "Railroad Crossing." You are responsible for watching and listening for trains yourself.

At a passive crossing, slow down as you approach. Look both ways and listen for a train horn. If you see or hear a train, stop immediately and do not cross. If the crossing is clear, you may proceed, but stay alert. Trains can appear suddenly, especially on curves or in poor visibility.

Passive crossings are often on rural roads where trains run less frequently, but they are no less dangerous. A train traveling at any speed can kill you if you are on the tracks when it arrives.

How to report a broken crossing signal or gate

If you see a flashing red light that will not turn off, a gate that is stuck in the down position, or a crossing sign that is missing or damaged, you should report it. Contact the railroad company directly if you can see its name on a sign at the crossing. You can also call the South Carolina Department of Transportation or your local police department and report the location and the problem.

A broken signal or gate is a serious safety hazard. Other drivers may not realize the crossing is unsafe, and a collision could occur. Reporting the problem helps protect everyone who uses that crossing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cross the tracks if the lights have stopped flashing but I do not see a train?

Yes, but only after you have looked both ways and confirmed no train is coming. Flashing lights mean a train is near or on the crossing. Once they stop, the train has passed, but you must still look before crossing because another train could be approaching from the other direction.

What if I am stuck in traffic and my vehicle is partly on the railroad tracks?

Move your vehicle off the tracks immediately, even if it means hitting another car. A collision with another vehicle is far less dangerous than being hit by a train. If you cannot move forward, back up. If you cannot move at all, get out and call 911.

Do I have to stop at a railroad crossing if I am driving a motorcycle?

Yes. Every vehicle, including motorcycles, must obey railroad crossing signals and gates. The rules apply to all drivers regardless of vehicle type.

What should I do if I see someone trying to cross the tracks while a train is coming?

Call 911 immediately and give the dispatcher the crossing location. Do not try to stop the person yourself or put yourself in danger. Emergency responders are trained to handle these situations.

Are there any exceptions to the railroad crossing rules in South Carolina?

No. Police officers, emergency vehicles, and all other drivers must obey railroad crossing signals. There are no exceptions. If an emergency vehicle needs to cross, it will wait for the signal to clear just like any other vehicle.