Below we will provide Nevada railroad crossing laws and laws for around railroad tracks. For more information on Nevada railroad crossing laws and rail safety tips, see our article on Rail Safety Week.

Nevada railroad crossing laws are meant to keep everyone safe. Unfortunately, even the safest driver can be injured in a car accident. If you are a car accident victim in the Las Vegas area, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights.

The team at Anthem Injury Lawyers has experience handling complex personal injury issues. This includes spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. Don’t wait. We will immediately pursue your case to get you the compensation you deserve for injuries sustained in a Las Vegas area car accident. Get the best opportunity to gain maximum compensation for injuries sustained in your Las Vegas car accident. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.

What Are Nevada Railroad Crossing Laws?

Nevada railroad crossing laws are meant to keep everyone safe. Portions of Nevada railroad crossing statutes are provided below.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.047

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.047 defines “railroad sign” and “railroad signal.” “Railroad sign” or “railroad signal” means the following:

• Any sign, signal or device erected by a public authority or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the approach of a railroad train.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.050

Under Nevada Revised Statute 484B.050 “railroad train” means the following:

• A steam, electric or other motor engine, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon stationary rails, except streetcars.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.213

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.213(2)(b) provides that a vehicle must not be driven to the left side of the highway at any time:

• When approaching within 100 feet or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.317

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.317 prohibits interference with any railroad sign or signal. It states the following:

• A person shall not, without lawful authority, attempt to or alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield or insigne thereon, or any other part thereof.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.450

Under Nevada Revised Statute 484B.450(1)(i), a person shall not stop, stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.553

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.553 provides the following:

1. Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and a clearly visible official traffic-control or railroad device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train or other on-track equipment, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest track of such railroad and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:

(a) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train or other on-track equipment.

(b) A crossing gate is lowered or when a flagger gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train or other on-track equipment.

(c) A railroad train or other on-track equipment approaching within approximately 1,500 feet of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from such distance and such railroad train or other on-track equipment, by reason of its speed or nearness to such crossing, is an immediate hazard.

(d) An approaching railroad train or other on-track equipment is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing.

2. A person shall not drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.557

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.557 requires a stop at certain railroad grade crossings. It provides the following:

• The Department of Transportation, and local authorities with the approval of the Department of Transportation, may designate dangerous highway grade crossings of railroads and erect official traffic-control devices at such crossings directing a stop. When such stop signs are erected the driver of any vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest track of such a grade crossing and afterward may proceed only upon exercising due care.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.560

Under Nevada Revised Statute 484B.560, certain vehicles are required to stop at all railroad grade crossings. It also requires vehicles to completely cross railroad grade crossings.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.560(1)

Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, the driver of a bus carrying passengers, or of any school bus carrying any school child, or of any vehicle carrying hazardous materials as that term is defined in 49 C.F.R. § 383.5, before crossing at grade any track or tracks of a railroad, shall stop that vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train or other on-track equipment, and for signals indicating the approach of a train or other on-track equipment, and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.560(2)

After stopping as required in this section and upon proceeding when it is safe to do so, the driver of any such vehicle shall cross only in a gear of the vehicle that there will be no necessity for changing gears while traversing the crossing and the driver shall not shift gears while crossing the track or tracks.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.560(3)

When stopping is required at a railroad crossing the driver shall keep as far to the right of the highway as possible and shall not form two lanes of traffic unless the highway is marked for four or more lanes of traffic.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.560(4)

No such stop need be made at a railroad crossing:

(a) Where a police officer or official traffic-control device controls the movement of traffic.

(b) Which is marked with a device indicating that the crossing is abandoned.

(c) Which is a streetcar crossing or is used exclusively for industrial switching purposes within an area designated as a business district.

(d) Which is marked with a sign identifying it as an exempt crossing. Signs identifying a crossing as exempt may be erected only:

(1) If the tracks are an industrial or spur line;

(2) By or with the consent of the appropriate state or local authority which has jurisdiction over the road; and

(3) After the State or the local authority has held a public hearing to determine whether the crossing should be designated an exempt crossing.

All of these Nevada railroad crossing laws can seem complex. At Anthem Injury Lawyers we will expertly and aggressively represent you, so you can gain the compensation you deserve for injuries sustained in a railroad-related accident. Don’t delay: call us now and leave the complexities of the law to our experienced personal injury lawyers. Call (702) 857-6000.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.560(5)

It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, when crossing at grade any track or tracks of a railroad, to fail to completely cross the track or tracks without stopping due to insufficient:

(a) Space for the vehicle on the opposite side of the railroad crossing; or

(b) Undercarriage clearance of the vehicle.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.560(6)

As used in this section, “completely cross” means to travel across a railroad track or tracks in such a manner that the trailing end of the vehicle is 15 feet or more past the nearest rail of the railroad track or tracks.

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.563

Nevada Revised Statute 484B.563 applies to moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossing. It states the following:

1. It is unlawful for any person to operate or move any crawler-type tractor, power shovel, derrick, roller, or any vehicle, equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of 10 or less miles per hour 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 9 inches, measured above the level surface of a highway, upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with this section.
2. Before making any such crossing the person operating or moving any such vehicle or equipment shall first stop the same not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along such track for any approaching train or other on-track equipment and for signals indicating the approach of a train or other on-track equipment, and shall not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.
3. No such crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic signal or crossing gates or a flagger or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or car or other on-track equipment. If a flagger is provided by the railroad, movement over the crossing shall be under the direction of the flagger.

Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers

We hope you stay safe at railroad crossings and around train tracks. If you are injured in an accident, you need legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer. They can help you determine what steps to take next. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of personal injury lawyers and staff ready to help you. There’s no need to fight for your rights alone because you think a lawyer is unaffordable. We don’t get paid unless you win. Put our experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyers to work for you. We can come to you in the Las Vegas area if you are unable to visit our office. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.