When approaching railroad crossings, you should behave by:

• A. Speed up to cross before trains arrive.
• B. Turn on hazard lights when approaching the crossing.
• C. Ignore pedestrians and cyclists near the crossing.
• D. Look to the sides of your vehicle to see what is coming.

Answer: (D)

When approaching railroad crossings, the essential habit is to actively scan by looking to both sides of your vehicle to see what is coming. Trains can approach from either direction on multiple tracks, and they can be much closer and faster than they appear, so a quick glance left and right (and listening for warning signals) is the safest way to determine if crossing is clear. This proactive visibility protects you and any pedestrians or cyclists near the crossing, and helps prevent getting caught off guard if a train is approaching. Rushing to beat a train is dangerous and illegal, turning on hazard lights isn’t a substitute for looking, and ignoring pedestrians or cyclists near the crossing is unsafe.