Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad
grade crossing, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within fifty
(50) feet but not less than fifteen (15) feet from the nearest rail
of such railroad and shall not proceed until he can do so safely when:
(1)
A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning
of the immediate approach of a train;
(2)
A crossing gate is lowered, or when a human flagman gives or continues
to give a signal of the approach or passage of a train;
(3)
A railroad engine approaching within approximately one thousand five
hundred (1,500) feet of the highway crossing emits a signal audible
from such distance and such engine, by reason of its speed or nearness
to such crossing, is an immediate hazard;
(4)
An approaching train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity
to such crossing.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-178)
When stop signs or other standard traffic-control devices are
erected at a highway grade crossing of a railroad, the driver of any
vehicle shall stop within fifty (50) feet but not less than fifteen
(15) feet from the nearest rail of such railroad and shall proceed
only upon exercising due care.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-179)
(a)
The driver of any motor bus carrying passengers for hire, or of any
school bus carrying any schoolchild, before crossing at grade any
track or tracks of a railroad, shall stop such vehicle within fifty
(50) feet but not less than fifteen (15) feet from the nearest rail
of such railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both
directions along such track for any approaching train, and for signals
indicating the approach of a train, except as hereinafter provided,
and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. After stopping as
required herein and upon proceeding when it is safe to do so, the
driver of any such vehicle shall cross only in such gear of the vehicle
that there will be no necessity for changing gears while traversing
such, and the driver shall not shift gears while crossing the track
or tracks.
(b)
No stop need be made at any such crossing where a police officer
or a traffic-control signal directs traffic to proceed.
(c)
This section shall not apply at street-railway grade crossings within
a business or residence district.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-180)
(a)
The driver of any vehicle carrying explosive substances or flammable
liquids as its principal cargo, before crossing at grade any track
or tracks of a railroad, shall, if traveling in excess of twenty (20)
miles per hour, reduce the speed of such vehicle to twenty (20) miles
per hour before approaching within two hundred (200) feet from the
nearest rail of such railroad and shall listen and look in both directions
along such track for any approaching train, and for signals indicating
the approach of the train, except as hereinafter provided, and shall
not proceed until precautions have been taken to ascertain that the
course is clear.
(b)
The driver of any vehicle carrying explosive substances or flammable
liquids as its principal cargo, before crossing at grade any track
or tracks of a railroad on streets and highways within the limits
of any corporate town or city, shall stop the vehicle not more than
fifty (50) feet nor less than fifteen (15) feet from the nearest rail
of the railroad, and while stopped shall listen and look in both directions
along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating
the approach of a train, and shall not proceed until precautions have
been taken to ascertain that the course is clear.
(c)
The requirements contained in subsections (a) and (b) above shall not apply when any of the following circumstances or conditions exist:
(1)
When a police officer or a crossing flagman or a traffic-control
signal directs traffic to proceed;
(2)
Where a railroad flashing signal is installed and displays no indication
of an approaching train;
(3)
An abandoned or exempted grade crossing which is clearly marked as
such by or with the consent of the proper state authority, when such
markings can be read from the driver’s position;
(4)
At a streetcar crossing within a business or residential district;
(5)
Railroad tracks used exclusively for industrial switching purposes
within a business district.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-181)
(a)
No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel,
derrick, roller or any equipment or structure having a normal operating
speed of ten (10) or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load
clearance of less than one-half inch per foot of the distance between
any two (2) adjacent axles, or in any event of less than nine (9)
inches, measured above the level surface of a roadway, upon or across
any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with
this section.
(b)
Notice of any such intended crossing shall be given to a station
agent of such railroad and a reasonable time be given to such railroad
to provide proper protection at such crossing.
(c)
Before making any such crossing, the person operating or moving any
such vehicle or equipment shall first stop the same not less than
fifteen (15) feet nor more than fifty (50) feet from the nearest rail
of such railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both
directions along such track for any approaching train and for signals
indicating the approach of a train, and shall not proceed until the
crossing can be made safely.
(d)
No such crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic
signal or crossing gates or a flagman or otherwise of the immediate
approach of a railroad train or car. If a flagman is provided by the
railroad, movement over the crossing shall be under his direction.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-182)
