Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks with a train approaching and warning lights flashing. What does the manual say to do?
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A.
Stay in the vehicle and honk the horn to warn the train.
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B.
Try to push the vehicle off the tracks in any direction.
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C.
Immediately exit, run away from the tracks diagonally in the direction the train is coming from, then call 911. Correct
The answer is "Immediately exit, run away from the tracks diagonally in the direction the train is coming from, then call 911."
The manual's steps are to exit the vehicle at once, run away from the tracks diagonally in the direction the train is coming from, and then call 911 once you're clear. Drivers who stay put and honk carry over the freeway-breakdown rule of staying inside with the seat belt on, missing that the tracks rule flips to immediate evacuation as soon as a train is approaching.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Stay in the vehicle and honk the horn to warn the train.
The rule for a stalled vehicle with a train bearing down is to get out and clear the tracks on foot, not to signal from inside the car. This answer carries over the freeway-breakdown rule to stay inside with the seat belt on, missing that the tracks rule flips to immediate evacuation as soon as a train is approaching.
B. Try to push the vehicle off the tracks in any direction.
The manual's steps once a train is approaching are to exit and run, not to try to move the vehicle. This answer carries over the 'push a stalled car to the shoulder' habit from ordinary breakdowns, missing that the manual switches to evacuation the moment a train is bearing down.
This question tests your knowledge of Adverse Conditions in California. Source: California Driver Manual, "Disabled Vehicles on Railroad Tracks," p.70..
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