Dave T is right – but so are those who note that in general it is illegal (as well as somewhat suicidal) to cross when the lights are flashing. So what to do? I’d have to research this to get the legal angle (which I’m not about to do)…
First off, when someone makes a complaint about a crossing, as Dave notes a stop and protect order should be issued. A signal maintainer should also be dispatched. When he gets to the crossing, if it really is malfunctioning, he should ensure that the stop and protect is in force (and may flag the tracks in question) and then he will turn off the signal and repair it…
That’s what should happen… but…
Stay Safe! If you are ever in doubt about a crossing, ‘Stop, Look & Listen’ and if you are in any doubt, don’t.
Jamie,
I would be very interested in your legal research on this question, especially whether there is any allowance for crossing against lights or gates with lights when it is obvious that no train is present. As I mentioned, the Minnesota Highway Patrol informed me that such crossing was not legally permitted. However, the officer that I spoke to told me that common sense should dictate that it would be OK to cross under such a condition, and that he would not give a ticket to a driver who he saw doing so.
However, I was once first in line at a crossing with warning lights flashing, and a locomotive stopped approximately 750-1000 feet short of the crossing. Both traffic lanes in each direction were filled with cars for at least a half-mile. First in line on the side of the crossing opposite me, was a city cop. The locomotive did not move, the tracks were straight with visibility at least 1000 feet in each direction, and we all waited for about 15 minutes. Finally the guy alongside of me decided enough was enough and headed across. When he got to the other side, the cop immediately did a U-turn and pulled him over. I don’t know whether the cop gave him a ticket, but I doubt that he pulled the guy over to congratulate him on his use of common sense.