A.R.S. 28-851
Approach of train; signal
A. When a person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing, the driver of the vehicle shall stop within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely under any of the following circumstances:
1. A clearly visible 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 or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train.
3. A railroad train approaching within approximately one thousand five hundred feet of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from such distance and the railroad train is an immediate hazard by reason of its speed or proximity to the crossing.
4. An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to the crossing.
B. A person shall not drive a vehicle through, around or under a crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.
Comment: This is the statutory rule for crossing intersections with railroad tracks and trains in the area.
Phoenix Attorney Injury and Accident
Abogado Phoenix Accidente del Tren
A.R.S. 28-852
Dangerous railroad grade crossing
The director, and local authorities with the approval of the director, may designate particularly dangerous highway grade crossings of railroads and may erect stop signs at the crossings. If the stop signs are erected, the driver of a vehicle shall stop within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and shall proceed only on exercising due care.
Comment: The government may feel that some railroad intersections are very dangerous. They will place stop signs here. A vehicle driver must come to a complete stop before crossing and proceed very cautiously to meet due care.
DUI Defense Lawyer Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix Traffic Ticket and Citation Attorney
A.R.S. 28-853
Railroad grade crossing; stop required of certain vehicles
A. Except as otherwise provided in this article, before crossing at grade any track or tracks of a railroad, the driver of a motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, of any school bus carrying any school child or of any vehicle carrying or returning after delivery of explosive substances or flammable liquids as a cargo or part of a cargo shall stop the vehicle within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of the railroad, while stopped listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train and not proceed until the driver can do so safely. After stopping as required by this section and on proceeding when it is safe to do so, the driver of the vehicle shall cross only in a gear of the vehicle for which there is no need to change gears while traversing the crossing and shall not shift gears while crossing the track or tracks.
B. This section does not apply at:
1. A crossing where a police officer or a traffic control signal directs traffic to proceed.
2. A street railway grade crossing within a business or residence district.
Comment: This is the Arizona statute that requires vehicles, like school buses or those carrying dangerous materials, to normally always stop at a railroad crossing.
Phoenix Bankruptcy Attorney Arizona
Phoenix Car Accident Attorneys
Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers Arizona
A.R.S. 28-854
Railroad grade crossing; moving heavy equipment; exception; definition
A. A person shall not operate or move any heavy equipment on or across a track at a railroad grade crossing unless:
1. Notice of the intended crossing is given to a station agent of the railroad.
2. Before making the crossing, the person operating or moving the vehicle or equipment:
(a) Stops the vehicle or equipment at least fifteen feet but not more than fifty feet from the nearest rail of the railroad.
(b) While so stopped, listens and looks in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train.
3. Does not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.
B. A person shall not make a crossing pursuant to this section when a warning is given by automatic signal, crossing gates or a flagman or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or car. If a flagman is provided by the railroad, movement over the crossing shall be under the flagman's direction.
C. This section does not apply to the normal movement of farm equipment in the regular course of a farm operation.
D. For the purposes of this section, "heavy equipment" means any crawler type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, roller or other equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of ten miles per hour or less or a vertical body or load clearance of less than one-half inch per foot of the distance between any two adjacent axles or in any event of less than nine inches measured above the level surface of a roadway.
Comment: Moving heavy things across a railroad crossing will require notice to the rail station. After this, the crossing must be done with strong caution.
Phoenix Accidente Abogado Arizona