How should you approach a railroad crossing?

When approaching a railroad crossing, it's essential to prioritize safety and awareness. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of maintaining a controlled speed. This allows you to assess the surroundings and be prepared to stop if necessary. A constant, controlled speed enables you to react promptly to any signals or signs indicating a train's approach.

While caution is certainly critical and involves looking for signals, it is the controlled speed that enhances your ability to make the right decisions at the moment. It ensures that you have enough time to react should a train be coming, and it helps prevent accidents that could occur if you were traveling too fast to stop in time. Observing signals, such as lights or crossing gates, becomes more effective when you are not speeding, as it gives you the opportunity to interpret and respond appropriately to any warnings.