FMCSAProposed Rule
Railroad Grade Crossings; Stopping Required: Exception for Railroad Grade Crossing Equipped with Active Warning Device Not in Activated State
Transportation
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Summary
This proposed rule would allow truck drivers to skip the required stop at railroad crossings in certain situations—specifically when the crossing has active warning lights or gates that are not currently activated or flashing. The change aims to reduce unnecessary delays while maintaining safety at rail crossings.
Key Points
- 1Currently, federal law requires all commercial truck drivers to stop at railroad grade crossings no matter what; this rule would create an exception when warning devices are clearly not active
- 2The rule applies to crossings equipped with automatic warning systems (flashing lights and/or crossing gates) that are in a non-activated state, suggesting no train is approaching
- 3This change affects commercial truck drivers and trucking companies, potentially reducing fuel costs and delivery times
- 4The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is accepting public comments until July 30, 2025, before deciding whether to finalize this change
- 5Safety remains the priority—drivers would still need to look and listen for trains before proceeding through a crossing with inactive warning devices
Key Dates
Published
May 30, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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