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What Should Drivers Do If Their Car Stalls on Railroad Tracks?

A recent collision involving a train and car serves as a reminder that few of us know what to do if our car stalls on train tracks. Per WITN-TV, last year, one person was killed and another person was seriously injured when their car was hit by a train after the vehicle broke down on a set of railroad tracks in Fayetteville. Reportedly, the incident happened around 2 am after a vehicle carrying four people stalled on the tracks. Rescuers attempted to get everyone out of the car before the train collided with it, but only two of the four occupants escaped in time. The train crashed into the vehicle less than two minutes after it stalled on the tracks, according to WITN-TV.

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Content Reviewed by:

Gene Riddle

Content Last Updated:

April 28, 2026

If your car stalls on railroad tracks, exit immediately and move as far away as possible, ideally running at a 45-degree angle toward the train’s direction to avoid debris.
Never drive onto tracks unless you can fully clear them, as traffic or obstacles can trap your vehicle.
Awareness and preparedness are crucial—knowing these steps can prevent injury or death in the event of a stalled vehicle on train tracks.

What to Do If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck on Railroad Tracks

A New York Times article featured tips on what drivers should do if their vehicle breaks down or gets stuck on railroad tracks as a train is approaching:

The first thing to do is get out of your vehicle and as far away from the tracks as possible.
When you escape your vehicle and begin heading away from the railroad tracks, make sure to run in a 45-degree angle in the direction the train is coming from. This sounds counterproductive because you are running towards the train, but it enables you to run away from the potential crash site and avoid flying debris.

In addition to providing advice about what to do if your vehicle gets stuck on train tracks, the Times article has suggestions for what to do to avoid getting stuck on railroad tracks. Most notably, you should never drive your car onto train tracks if there is not enough room to clear the tracks because of heavy traffic.

Do you feel like there is more that could be done to prevent trains from striking cars and trucks? If so, what do you think should be done to prevent trains from crashing into vehicles?

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