Alabama: Railroad crossings — Part 2 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “If your vehicle has a manual transmission, what should you do about gears at a crossing?” · “What does the manual say about walking or playing on railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Alabama Driver Manual" (November 2024), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division.
All 19 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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What should you do after the last car of a train passes the crossing?
- Do not proceed until you are sure no train is coming on another track
- Cross at once, since the danger has passed along with the train
- Cross after waiting about five seconds for safety
- Cross at once if the train came from your left side
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Correct answer: Do not proceed until you are sure no train is coming on another track
Watch out for the second train: after the last car passes, make sure no train is coming on another track, especially from the other direction.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What does the manual say about driving around railroad gates that are down?
- It is allowed if no train is visible
- It is allowed if you slow down first
- It is against the law
- It is allowed on roads with one track
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Correct answer: It is against the law
If the gates are down, stay in place; it is against the law to go around gates.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What does the manual say about racing a train to the crossing?
- It is safe if you can see the train’s headlight
- Never do it, because even if you try you lose
- It is safe at crossings without gates
- It is allowed if you are driving a truck
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Correct answer: Never do it, because even if you try you lose
The safety tips say to never race a train to the crossing, because even if you try you lose.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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If your vehicle has a manual transmission, what should you do about gears at a crossing?
- Shift into neutral while you are on the tracks
- Shift up on the tracks to speed across quickly
- Shift into park before you reach the tracks
- Shift down before and do not change gears on the tracks
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Correct answer: Shift down before and do not change gears on the tracks
The manual says to shift down and not change gears while crossing the tracks.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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When you follow buses or trucks that are required to stop at crossings, what should you be prepared to do?
- Stop
- Pass
- Honk
- Speed up
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Correct answer: Stop
The manual says to be prepared to stop when you are following buses or trucks that are required to stop.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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Where does Alabama rank in the nation for highway-railroad crossing fatalities?
- #3
- #25
- #13
- #40
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Correct answer: #13
The manual states that Alabama ranks #13 in the nation for highway-railroad crossing fatalities.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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How much more likely is a motorist to die in a crash involving a train?
- 4 times
- 40 times
- 10 times
- 100 times
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Correct answer: 40 times
A motorist is 40 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What does the manual say about deaths in highway-railroad crossing crashes compared with aviation crashes?
- About the same number die in each type of crash
- Fewer people die at crossings each year than in all aviation crashes combined
- Crossing deaths occur only in rural areas of the state
- More people die each year in crossing crashes than in all aviation crashes
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Correct answer: More people die each year in crossing crashes than in all aviation crashes
More people in the United States die each year in highway-railroad crossing crashes than in all aviation crashes combined.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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Nearly what share of vehicle/train collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices?
- 50%
- 10%
- 25%
- 90%
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Correct answer: 50%
Nearly 50% of vehicle/train collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What does the manual say about walking or playing on railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment?
- It is allowed on tracks that are not in use
- It is allowed in daylight hours
- It is illegal, and the penalty may be death
- It is allowed only on trestles
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Correct answer: It is illegal, and the penalty may be death
Walking or playing on railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment is illegal, and the penalty may be death.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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Where does the manual say you should cross railroad tracks?
- Anywhere, if no train is in sight
- Only at designated crossings
- Anywhere on a rural road
- Wherever a path has been worn
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Correct answer: Only at designated crossings
The safety tips say to cross tracks only at designated crossings.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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How far does a freight train traveling at 55 mph need to stop?
- A mile or more
- About a quarter of a mile
- About 500 feet
- About the length of one football field
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Correct answer: A mile or more
A freight train traveling at 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What must you do at a white X-shaped RAILROAD CROSSING sign?
- Keep your speed steady and sound your horn as you cross
- Stop on the tracks to look both ways for a train
- Approach with caution and make sure the tracks are clear
- Speed up to cross the tracks before a train arrives
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Correct answer: Approach with caution and make sure the tracks are clear
The manual says to approach with caution and be sure that all tracks are clear before you cross.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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A round yellow sign shows an X with the letters R R. What must you do?
- Keep your speed steady and watch only for flashing signal lights
- Slow down, look carefully in both directions, and be prepared to stop
- Stop only if you can see a train coming from either direction
- Speed up so that you can clear the tracks before a train arrives
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Correct answer: Slow down, look carefully in both directions, and be prepared to stop
The manual says a railroad crossing is ahead and you must slow down, look carefully in both directions and be prepared to stop.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 47 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 47)
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What does the manual tell you to remember about trains at a railroad crossing?
- A train cannot stop quickly
- A train always sounds its horn before a crossing
- A train always slows down at a crossing
- A train can stop as quickly as a car
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Correct answer: A train cannot stop quickly
The manual says to remember that a train cannot stop quickly.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 47 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 47)
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What must you do when the red lights at a railroad crossing begin to flash?
- Stop only if you can actually see an approaching train
- Stop, because a train is near, and go only when safe
- Slow down and cross carefully if no train is in sight
- Stop only when the gates start lowering across your side
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop, because a train is near, and go only when safe
Red flashing lights mean a train is near, so you always stop and do not proceed until you can do so safely.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 55 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 55)
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Which of these requires a complete stop at a railroad crossing?
- Only when a train is in sight
- Only at night
- Only on a multi-lane road
- Where STOP signs are posted
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Correct answer: Where STOP signs are posted
A complete stop is required at a railroad crossing where STOP signs are posted.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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When must you make a complete stop at a railroad crossing, besides where STOP signs are posted?
- Only when you can hear a train horn sounding
- Never, if the crossing has a gate
- When a flagman or traffic control device directs it
- Only when you are driving a heavy vehicle
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Correct answer: When a flagman or traffic control device directs it
A complete stop is required at railroad crossings when directed by a flagman or any traffic control device.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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Your car is stalled on the tracks and a train is approaching. After leaving the car, which way should you walk?
- Alongside the tracks, away from the approaching train
- Down the middle of the tracks
- Across the tracks to the far side
- Alongside the tracks, in the direction of the approaching train
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Correct answer: Alongside the tracks, in the direction of the approaching train
Walking alongside the tracks in the direction of the train keeps you clear of debris when the vehicle is hit.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)