Ask X3What does 49 CFR 392.12 (Highway-rail crossings; safe clearance) require?
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Short answer
49 CFR 392.12 requires that no driver of a commercial motor vehicle shall drive onto a highway-rail grade crossing without having sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping.
The rule says
"No driver of a commercial motor vehicle shall drive onto a highway-rail grade crossing without having sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping." (49 CFR 392.12)
In plain English
This rule is about safety at railroad crossings. It means that before a commercial driver crosses the tracks, they must make sure they have enough room on the other side to clear the crossing without stopping. This is to prevent accidents where a truck gets stuck on the tracks. In practice, drivers need to check the crossing ahead of time and use their judgment to ensure they can get through safely.
What to do
- Check the crossing ahead of time for sufficient space to clear the tracks.
- Use judgment to ensure the vehicle can get through the crossing without stopping.
- Consider the length of the vehicle and any trailers, as well as the space available on the other side of the tracks.
- Never enter a crossing if there's a chance the vehicle could get stuck on the tracks.