Have you ever thought about how many times a day you cross railroad tracks along your route?
Most of the time, we take for granted that a train is not approaching and proceed across the tracks without giving it much thought.
Take a moment to download the driver's guide and complete the railroad safety quiz for professional drivers.
Safety Tips for Truck Drivers
Five ProDriver Steps for Safely Crossing Railroad Tracks
1. Eliminate all distractions. Turn off noisy fans and radios. Look and listen for approaching trains.
2. Stop at a safe distance. Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the crossing.
3. Look carefully in both directions. Check for approaching trains before crossing. If necessary, look
around visual obstructions. If your view is obstructed, do not attempt to cross. Look both ways twice before proceeding.
4. Know the law. Trucks carrying hazardous materials are required to stop at all railroad crossings unless an exemption sign is posted at the crossing.
5. Cross without hesitation. Once you begin crossing the tracks, do not stop. If your vehicle becomes stuck or stalls on the tracks, evacuate immediately and call the number posted on the blue-and-white Emergency Notification System sign. Provide the crossing identification number so the railroad can identify your location.
Note: Refer to state and local laws, as well as company policies, for additional information.
Know Your Railroad Crossing Signs and Signals
Additional Recommendations for Approaching Railroad Crossings
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Trains and trucks don't mix. Never race a train to a crossing. Even if you tie, you lose.
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Trains are closer and moving faster than they appear. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to pass before proceeding across the tracks.
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Trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train traveling at 55 mph can take a mile or more to stop after the emergency brakes are applied. That's approximately 18 football fields!
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Never drive around lowered crossing gates. It is illegal and extremely dangerous. If you suspect a crossing signal is malfunctioning, call the phone number posted on or near the crossing signal or contact local law enforcement.
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Do not get trapped on the tracks. Proceed through a railroad crossing only when you are certain your vehicle can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, trains extend approximately three feet beyond the tracks on both sides.
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If your vehicle stalls on the tracks and a train is approaching, evacuate immediately. Move away from the tracks in the direction of the approaching train to reduce your risk of being struck by flying debris. Once you are safely away, contact the railroad using the emergency number posted at the crossing or call 911.
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Watch for additional trains. At crossings with multiple tracks, always check for a second train approaching from either direction after the first train passes.
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Use designated railroad crossings. Look both ways and cross promptly without stopping. When required to stop, maintain a safe distance of at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.
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ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not always follow predictable schedules.
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If your vehicle becomes stuck at a crossing, get out immediately. Once you are in a safe location, call the emergency number posted at the crossing or contact local law enforcement to alert the railroad.
Information provided by Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
About Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is a national nonprofit safety education organization dedicated to preventing deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad rights-of-way.
Operation Lifesaver has programs in all 50 states, with trained and certified presenters who provide free safety presentations to community groups, school bus drivers, truck drivers, and student drivers. These presentations help raise awareness of the dangers associated with railroad tracks and trains.
For more information or to request a free safety presentation, visit www.oli.org.
Operation Lifesaver Video Warns That Filming on Railroad Tracks Is Illegal and Deadly!
With the continued growth of social media, there have been several tragic incidents involving individuals filming videos on or near railroad tracks.
The national nonprofit rail safety education organization Operation Lifesaver, Inc. has released an animated video warning amateur filmmakers and smartphone users about the dangers and illegality of filming on railroad tracks.
The video is part of an ongoing series designed to raise awareness of illegal and dangerous activities involving railroad tracks.
For additional railroad safety resources for professional drivers, visit:
Operation Lifesaver – Professional Drivers
Time to Fall Back! Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, November 1!
Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Clocks will be set back one hour to 1:00 a.m.
Make sure all drivers are aware of the upcoming time change.
Route drivers should be especially cautious, as the change will affect the amount of daylight they experience throughout their routes. Intersections, streets, and familiar driving conditions may present different challenges due to changes in the position of the sun.
Even a one-hour time difference can significantly affect visibility and driving conditions, particularly for drivers who follow the same routes each day.
How Do Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) Handle Daylight Saving Time?
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) have been federally mandated for most applicable commercial drivers since December 2017.
Most ELD providers automatically account for daylight saving time changes, helping drivers maintain accurate records of duty status.
Regardless of whether clocks move forward or backward, drivers must continue to comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
ELD Daylight Saving Time Examples
Example 1: Working Through the Time Change
If you work from 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the day daylight saving time ends, your actual elapsed time may total 10 hours rather than nine, depending on when your shift begins and how your ELD records the repeated hour.
Example 2: Taking a 10-Hour Break
If you begin your required 10-hour off-duty break at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, your break would normally end at 8:00 a.m. the following morning.
However, because clocks are set back one hour overnight, you will complete your 10-hour break at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1.
Drivers must still complete the full 10-hour break and comply with all applicable HOS regulations.
Example 3: Completing a 34-Hour Restart
The same principle applies to the 34-hour restart.
If your restart period includes the daylight saving time change, you may complete the required 34 consecutive hours one hour earlier according to the clock than you normally would.
You must still complete the full 34-hour restart and follow all applicable HOS regulations.
How Daylight Saving Time Can Affect Electronic Logging Devices
Before daylight saving time ends, duty status records may display a Daylight Time designation, such as EDT or CDT. After the time change, records may reflect a Standard Time designation, such as EST or CST.
Because the clocks are set back one hour, Sunday, November 1, 2026, will contain 25 hours in locations that observe daylight saving time.
Most compliant ELD systems account for the time change automatically. However, the way duty status records and time zone designations appear may vary by ELD provider.
For tablets with HOS functionality, the device should account for the time change based on its configured time settings and applicable ELD requirements.
Drivers should verify that their ELD records accurately reflect their duty status and consult their ELD provider or fleet administrator if they notice any discrepancies.
Paper Log Reminder
If you use paper logs, clearly document the daylight saving time adjustment in the remarks section to help explain the repeated hour.
A suggested notation is: "Fall Time Change – Clocks Set Back One Hour."
Always ensure that your logs accurately reflect your actual hours of service and comply with applicable FMCSA requirements.
