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

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks at a railroad crossing, the safest action is to exit the vehicle and run away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train. This is crucial because trains can approach quickly and have very limited stopping capability, making it extremely dangerous to remain in the vehicle. By leaving the vehicle, you reduce the risk of serious injury or death from a potential collision.

It is important to prioritize your safety over your vehicle. The vehicle can be replaced, but your life cannot. Running away allows you to put distance between yourself and the approaching train. Additionally, running towards an area that is away from the tracks ensures that you are out of the line of the train’s path if it does strike the vehicle.

Other options such as attempting to restart the vehicle or staying in the vehicle increase the risk of being harmed by a train. Flagging down other vehicles for help may not be effective enough to prevent an accident given the time constraints when a train is approaching. Therefore, leaving the vehicle and moving to safety is the recommended and most effective response in this dangerous situation.