Know the Road with the CHP: If a train is stuck at a railroad crossing, can I make a U-turn?

Friday, September 4, 2020
Know the Road: Can I make a u-turn if a train is stuck at a railroad crossing?
An ABC30 viewer wanted to know: if a train is stuck at a railroad crossing, can I make a u-turn to leave the area or do I have to wait for the train to pass?

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An ABC30 viewer wanted to know: if a train is stuck at a railroad crossing, can I make a U-turn to leave the area or do I have to wait for the train to pass?

"So if you're a situation where you're stopped on the roadway and the entire intersection is blocked by a train, the question is, can you legally make a U-turn," said Sgt. Brian Pennings with the California Highway Patrol. "Well, it depends."

"If there's a raised or painted divider, the answer is no," Pennings explained. "However, if the traffic is separated by a solid yellow line or a broken yellow line, then yes, if it's safe, you can make a U-turn and go the other direction."

For other answers from the CHP, go to abc30.com/knowtheroad.

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