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Driving safety guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Railroad Crossing Safety Tips for Indiana Drivers
Because of their size, a train's actual speed can be very deceiving, the Indiana BMV warns. Here is what the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says about crossbucks, lights and gates, crossings with more than one track, and what to do if your vehicle stalls or something blocks the tracks.
About 20 sec.to escape once lights flash and the gate lowers (BMV)
45 degreesrun away from the tracks toward the oncoming train (BMV)
100 ftno passing within this distance of a crossing (BMV)
Neverdrive around a lowered gate (BMV)
The short answer
Treat a crossbuck alone as a yield sign and stop for any approaching train. Stop for bells, lights and gates and wait until the warning is canceled. Never drive around a lowered gate or race a train, and only start across when you can clear the tracks without stopping.
Railroad crossing signs and signals
The Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says special signs, signals and pavement markings warn drivers at railroad crossings, though you should not expect to see all of them at every crossing.
| You see | What to do |
|---|---|
| A crossbuck alone | Treat it as a yield sign. The decision to stop or cross is yours, but you must stop if a train is approaching. |
| A crossbuck with a stop sign | Come to a complete stop, and cross only after making certain no train is approaching. Never assume a train is not coming just because there is only a stop sign. |
| Active bells, flashing lights, or lights and gates | Stop, and do not proceed until the warning is canceled or a law enforcement officer or railroad flagman directs you to proceed. |
| Traffic signals flashing red in all directions where trains run in the street | It indicates an approaching train. Treat it like any other crossing warning. |
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation (Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles), read November 3, 2026.
Railroad crossing safety rules
The BMV manual advises:
Never go around a gate
It is illegal to drive around a crossing gate that is down.
Never race a train
Due to the size of trains, a train's actual speed can be very deceiving. Under no circumstances should you try to race a train to a crossing.
Only cross if you can clear it
Never begin to cross unless you can clear the tracks without stopping, and avoid stopping or shifting gears while crossing.
Watch for a second train
Where there is more than one track, make sure another train is not coming on the other track once the first train has cleared, including one behind the first train going the opposite way.
Know about quiet zones
At some gated crossings in local quiet zones, approaching trains do not sound their horns.
No passing near crossings
Do not pass another vehicle within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, read November 3, 2026.
If your vehicle stalls or the tracks are blocked
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, the BMV manual says all occupants should immediately leave the vehicle.
If a train is approaching: once the crossing lights begin to flash and the gate begins to lower, you have approximately 20 seconds to escape from the crossing. Evacuate the area, tell others to do the same, and run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train. Once you are clear, call emergency services and report the problem.
If no train is approaching or present: immediately contact the railroad's Emergency Notification System using the number on the blue sign at the crossing, tell them exactly what is blocking the crossing and where, then call emergency services.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, read November 3, 2026.
Vehicles that must always stop at crossings
Some vehicles are required by law to always stop at railroad crossings, no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. The BMV manual lists all vehicles carrying passengers for hire, all school buses, and all vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids. Expect these vehicles to stop ahead of you. The requirement does not apply to abandoned tracks where signs have been placed or the tracks have been removed from the roadway.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, read November 3, 2026.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 3, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Railroad crossing FAQ
What should you do at a crossbuck with no signals?
Treat it as a yield sign. The Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says that when a crossbuck is displayed alone, the decision to stop or cross is yours, but you must stop if a train is approaching.
Can you drive around a lowered crossing gate?
No. The BMV manual says it is illegal to drive around a crossing gate that is down.
When can you proceed at a crossing with active lights or gates?
When there are active warning bells, flashing lights, or lights and gates, the BMV manual says you must stop and not proceed until the warning is canceled or a law enforcement officer or railroad flagman directs you to proceed.
What should you do if your car stalls on the tracks?
The BMV manual says all occupants should immediately leave the vehicle. If a train is coming, get everyone away and move at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train, then call emergency services once clear.
How much time do you have once the gate starts to lower?
The BMV manual says that once the crossing lights begin to flash and the gate begins to lower, you have approximately 20 seconds to escape from the crossing.
Which vehicles must always stop at railroad crossings in Indiana?
The BMV manual lists all vehicles carrying passengers for hire, all school buses, and all vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids. They must stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a battery test, brake inspection and Multi-Point Inspection, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Railroad crossing rules are from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver's Manual, read November 3, 2026. Laws change; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation (railroad crossings), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, PDF modified July 7, 2026, read November 3, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026