How many feet before a Railroad Crossing should you activate your hazard lights?

Activating your hazard lights before approaching a railroad crossing is a critical safety measure designed to alert other drivers of your presence, especially in situations where visibility may be limited or where the road configuration can obscure the view of an oncoming train. The requirement to activate hazard lights at least 100 feet before reaching a railroad crossing is based on the principle of giving adequate warning to other motorists that you are slowing down or stopping. This distance helps ensure that other drivers can react appropriately in order to maintain a safe driving environment, as trains can travel at high speeds and may not always be audible.

While some jurisdictions might have varying regulations regarding the exact distance to activate hazard lights, 100 feet is a standard guideline in many places, including California. This distance allows enough time for vehicles behind you to notice the hazard lights and adapt their driving behavior as necessary. The other distances provided in the options may be excessive for typical situations, as activating hazard lights much farther back could lead to confusion about your intentions and potentially disrupt the flow of traffic.