A clearly visible railroad warning signal indicates that a train is approaching. Where must an ordinary car driver stop relative to the nearest rail?
Correct answer: At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail, then wait until it is safe to proceed.
When one of the statutory warning conditions applies, the required stop is between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. An active signal warning of the train's immediate approach is one of those conditions.
Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-20-1, When railroad crossing stops required of all vehicles, opening paragraph and subdivision (1); official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗
At a railroad crossing, you plainly see a train approaching close enough to be a hazard, even though no warning light is flashing. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop as required and do not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.
A train that is plainly visible and in hazardous proximity is itself a statutory reason to stop. A driver need not wait for a second warning such as a flashing light or horn.
Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-20-1, Opening stop requirement and subdivision (4), plainly visible train in hazardous proximity; official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗
A train has passed and the crossing gate is beginning to rise, but it is still moving. May you drive under it as soon as there appears to be room for your car?
Correct answer: No. Do not drive through, around or under the barrier while it is closed or being opened or closed.
The gate rule includes a barrier that is being opened, not only one that is fully down. Physical clearance for the car is not permission to pass a moving gate.
Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-20-2, Driving through railroad gate or barrier, subsection (a); official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗
On an undivided road, you approach a properly marked school bus stopped to receive students with its red lights flashing. No child is visible in your lane. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop before reaching the bus; do not pass while it remains stopped with the red lights flashing.
The stop requirement applies when meeting or overtaking the school bus from either direction in this situation. The statute permits proceeding when the bus resumes motion or the flashing lights cease; the driver must still proceed safely.
Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-20-12, Stopping for school bus required, subsection (a), first paragraph; undivided-road scenario excludes §31-20-13 separate-roadway exception; official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗
A stopped school bus is across a wide physical median on the other roadway of a divided highway. You are driving on the separate opposite roadway. Does its stop alone require you to stop under the school-bus rule?
Correct answer: No. The statute provides an exception when the bus is on the other side of the divided highway.
The separate-roadway exception applies to a driver on the other side of a divided highway. This does not exempt traffic following the bus on its roadway or remove any other applicable duty to drive safely.
Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-20-13, School buses stopped on divided highway or in loading zone, subdivision (1); official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗
You are driving an ordinary private car in the same lane behind a moving school bus. What minimum distance does this Rhode Island provision require?
Correct answer: At least 50 feet, with more space whenever conditions require it.
Section 31-20-12 prohibits traveling in the same lane less than 50 feet behind a school bus, except for emergency vehicles on official business. This minimum does not promise that 50 feet is a safe gap at every speed or in every condition.
Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-20-12, Subsection (a), same-lane following-distance paragraph and emergency-vehicle exception; official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗
A crossing guard is helping pedestrians cross ahead of you. What controls when you may move past the guard?
Correct answer: Stop before the guard and wait until signaled to proceed or until the guard has finished helping the pedestrian safely to the sidewalk.
The statute requires an approaching driver to stop before the crossing guard. It specifies release by the guard or completion of the guard's duty of aiding the pedestrian safely to the sidewalk.
Source: Rhode Island General Laws §31-20-17, Stopping for crossing guards and school bus monitors required, subsection (a); official operative HTML text read October 1, 2026. ↗
