If a railroad grade crossing has no warning devices or only a cross buck sign, what should you do?

When approaching a railroad grade crossing that has no warning devices or only a crossbuck sign, the appropriate action is to slow down and then proceed with caution. The reason for this is that crossbuck signs indicate that a railroad track is present, but they do not provide additional signals or gates that might warn of an oncoming train. Therefore, slowing down allows you to carefully assess the situation, ensuring there is no train approaching from either direction.

This cautious approach gives you the opportunity to check for any visual or audible signs of a train before crossing the tracks safely. It is important to remember that trains can come at high speeds and may not always be visible until they are very close, which is why recognizing the need to slow down at these crossings is critical for safety.

Other options, such as speeding through or proceeding without stopping, do not allow for adequate observation and increase the risk of a collision with a train. A complete stop might seem like a safe option, but in certain contexts, it might not be necessary when you can proceed carefully while ensuring the track is clear. Thus, the recommended action balances safety with the practicality of crossing when there are no immediate dangers visible.