What should you do if your vehicle stalls on the railroad tracks?

• A. Get out of the vehicle and call the police
• B. Stay in the vehicle and wait for help
• C. Push the vehicle off the tracks
• D. Back up slowly toward the crossing

Answer: (A)

If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, the priority is safety and getting help quickly. Get out of the vehicle if you can do so safely, and move away from the tracks to a safe location. Then call emergency services or the police to report your location and the stalled vehicle. Trains can’t stop quickly and may be closer than you think, so remaining in the car or attempting to push the car off the tracks or backing up toward the crossing keeps you in danger and can put you in the path of an approaching train. Exiting to a safe distance and contacting help minimizes your risk and gets professionals to manage the situation.