§ 1071 - Railroad grade crossings - Vermont Statutes

§ 1071. Railroad grade crossings

(a) A driver approaching a railroad grade crossing shall stop within 50 feet of, but not nearer than 15 feet from, the nearest rail of the railroad, and may not proceed until he can do so safely, when

(1) An electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train;

(2) A crossing gate is lowered or a human flagman gives a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train;

(3) A railroad train approaching within 80 rods (1320 feet) of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from that distance, and the train, by reason of its speed or nearness, is an immediate hazard;

(4) A railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to or is at the crossing; or

(5) A stop sign has been erected at the crossing pursuant to section 1006 of this title.

(b) No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

(c) Nothing in this section prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle across the tracks of a railroad at grade while a mechanical warning signal is in operation, provided he or she first brings the vehicle to a full stop and reasonably ascertains that the tracks can be crossed safely. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973; amended 1983, No. 25, § 2.)