2006-07-24 15:39:36 · 16 answers · asked by **Keisha 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Trains are so powerful, they can demolish an vehicle & not even know they did it.
2006-07-24 15:46:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Safety is the primary concern. Safety for the passengers (like in a school bus), the driver of the large vehicle, and the people on the train who could be injured or killed if a collision resulted in a derailment.
Another reason is that large vehicles will have to slow down for the bumps going across a railroad track or crossing. Since slowing down will normally require the use of a lower gear the larger vehicles would have a very difficult time accelerating to escape the tracks quickly if an approaching train suddenly came into view.
Of course all of this results in regulations for some types of vehicles (buses, tankers, etc) and common sense for many others.
2006-07-24 22:48:37 · answer #2 · answered by LeRoy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a safety precaution--and a federal law.
And you might have also noticed that school bus drivers always open the side door when stopped at a railroad crossing. At least that's how it is in California. I imagine that's a federal law too.
That comes from the time a school bus driver (in the 50's or 60's--not sure) went ahead and crossed the railroad thinking no train was coming. There was a train coming and, needless to say, it took the bus with it and some students were killed. I'm not sure if the driver died also.
Authorities later found out that the bus driver didn't see the train through the door because the metal frame around the door windows blocked his/her view. Since then it's been a law to open a school bus passenger door at a rail crossing to improve the driver's view of the tracks.
2006-07-25 05:22:45 · answer #3 · answered by ♣Tascalcoán♣ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Passenger busses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials MUST stop per federal law. Other large vehicles such as a car transport for an auto dealership will stop due to lower ground clearance. I slow down at rail crossings that I have personally experienced to be rough, the suspension on a large truck, while similar in design, is much different than that of a car. It is extremely stiff by comparison, even with air ride tractors and trailers, shock absorbing cabs and air ride seats, if you don't slow down, you can get thrown around in the cab pretty easily, remember an empty 18 wheeler weighs around #30000, you car weighs #3000 if that.
2006-07-25 00:13:26 · answer #4 · answered by Porterhouse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, haven't you studied driving? Its illegal for ANY car or large vehicles to not stop at railroad crossings. Have I answered your question, W/E!!!
2006-07-25 07:22:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's The rules of the road, Class A and Class B have to go by the old school, STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN. That's why a school bus or Greyhound are required to stop and open thier door
2006-07-24 22:48:06 · answer #6 · answered by THOMAS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, some, like busses, are carrying a lot of passengers, so they take a safety precaution and make sure there's no train coming. I think it might be a law.
2006-07-24 22:44:07 · answer #7 · answered by Pearly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certain vehicles such as school buses and trucks transporting various materials are required to do so.
2006-07-24 22:44:20 · answer #8 · answered by Dino4747 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so they dont get hit by a train???
If your talking about trucks slowing down to cross them, perhaps they have a full load and dont want it to shift and move around. They can get quite bumpy ya know!
2006-07-24 22:41:47 · answer #9 · answered by Simmy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it takes longer for them to cross it, and they make a lot more noise than cars do. It is for safety.
2006-07-28 11:31:54 · answer #10 · answered by mlm1975 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have to make sure no trains are near them, in case they don't get the whole thing across in time. And, it's the law.
2006-07-24 23:46:11 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋