Minnesota Railway Crossing Laws at Stop Signs
Minnesota laws regarding motorists crossing railroads differ based on the type of vehicle and driver involved. Professional drivers, or those who carry passengers in their vehicles as a business, including school bus drivers and Head Start program bus drivers, are held to a stricter standard, when it comes to railroad crossings. And, common sense always prevails when signals and warnings are not given.
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General Rules for Railroad Crossings in Minnesota
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If you can see a train coming, it is a misdemeanor to cross the railroad tracks. Stop signs at railroad crossings can be confusing due to additional laws regarding railroad crossings. Motorists in Minnesota are required to stop at all stop signs regardless of placement, but are not required to stop at railroad crossings unless an electrical or mechanical device signals an oncoming train is approaching, or if the motorist can see a train coming and crossing would not be safe.
The fact that a motorist can see a train coming is evidence, in and of itself, that the motorist knew of the danger and knew crossing would not be safe. It is also illegal to drive around or through a lowered railroad warning device or past a human flagger warning of an approaching train. It is a misdemeanor to violate these laws.
There are some exceptions to these rules, and different rules for certain circumstances regarding railroads, as well. Minnesota Statute, Title 49, Section 169.26, controls this area of law.
Exceptions to the General Rules about Railroad Crossings
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School buses have special rules when it comes to railroad crossings. Any vehicle for hire, meaning the vehicle carries passengers on a business basis, and all school buses and Head Start buses, whether carrying passengers or not, must stop no more than 15 feet and no less than 50 feet in front of the closest train rail to the vehicle.
At said point, the driver shall listen and look in both directions for any indication of an oncoming train. It is also necessary to wait until vehicles in front have passed, leaving enough room to go over the tracks without stopping, with at least 10 feet behind your vehicle and it is also illegal to shift gears while crossing the tracks.
Other exceptions to the rules include train tracks on routes that have been abandoned, train tracks that only service four or less trains per year at no more than 10 miles per hour, or at other exempt crossings as designated with an "Exempt" sign posted by the Department of Transportation. Minnesota Statute, Title 49, Section 169.28, controls this area of law.
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Light Rail
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Light rail tracks are treated differently than railroad tracks. The above exceptions requiring all school buses, Head Start buses, and vehicles for hire to stop at all railroad tracks do not apply to light rail vehicle tracks that are located on public streets, with the following exceptions: 1) A light rail crossing is at the intersection of two streets, 2) A traffic light is controlling the intersection, or 3) Someone or something is directing the vehicle to stop. Minnesota Statute, Title 49, Section 169.28, controls this area of law.
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- Photo Credit railroad crossing image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com train image by Sergey Pesterev from Fotolia.com Square School Bus image by steverts from Fotolia.com Train de nuit image by Sylkill from Fotolia.com
