After stopping for a train at a railroad crossing, what should you do?

The best response after stopping for a train at a railroad crossing is to watch for vehicles that must also stop and for multiple trains. This is important because, even if one train has passed and the signals may indicate that it is safe to cross, there could be other trains coming from different directions. It's essential to maintain vigilance and be aware of your surroundings, which includes monitoring other vehicles that may not have stopped as they should. This awareness ensures everyone's safety at the crossing.

While it might seem natural to proceed across the tracks immediately once the first train has left, this could lead to dangerous situations if other trains are approaching. Checking your phone for updates is not a safe option as it diverts your attention from the critical task of ensuring the way is clear before crossing. The signal lights turning off is a crucial indicator to ensure safe crossing, but it’s equally important to be aware of your surroundings at all times, hence the focus on observing other vehicles and potential additional trains.