When approaching railroad tracks, how far must you stop before the nearest track?

• A. 5 to 20 feet
• B. 15 to 50 feet
• C. 50 to 100 feet
• D. 10 to 30 feet

Answer: (B)

When you must stop at a railroad crossing, you should position your vehicle between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. This range gives enough space to observe signals and the tracks ahead, react if a train is approaching, and still have enough room to clear the crossing safely. Stopping closer than 15 feet can put you at risk if a train arrives or if the crossing is uneven; stopping farther than 50 feet might leave you unable to clear the crossing quickly or create other hazards. So, within this 15–50 feet window, wait for it to be safe before proceeding.