{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-885.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-885.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-885.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-885.html"}],"law_id":54452,"edition_id":1,"section_id":54452,"structure_id":13486,"section_number":"46.2-885","catch_line":"When vehicles to stop at railroad grade crossings","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-254; 1956, c. 164; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-244; 1989, c. 727; 2012, c. 828.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept in cities or towns, whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of the vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:1\n\nA clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train;2\n\nA crossing gate is lowered or a flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a train;3\n\nA train approaching such crossing gives the signals required by § 56-414;4\n\nAn approaching train or any self-propelled machinery or automobile type vehicle traveling on a railroad track is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing, regardless of whether a clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device or flagman gives warning.B\n\nNo person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":199833,"text":"Except in cities or towns, whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of the vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":199834,"text":"A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":199835,"text":"A crossing gate is lowered or a flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a train;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":199836,"text":"A train approaching such crossing gives the signals required by § 56-414;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":199837,"text":"An approaching train or any self-propelled machinery or automobile type vehicle traveling on a railroad track is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing, regardless of whether a clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device or flagman gives warning.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":199838,"text":"No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13486,"edition_id":1,"name":"Railroad Crossings","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12875,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:00","permalink":{"id":231047,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13486,"identifier":"9","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12875,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":230189,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12875,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59528,"structure_id":13486,"section_number":"46.2-884","catch_line":"Railroad warning signals must be obeyed","url":"\/46.2-884\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9\/46.2-884","metadata":false},{"id":54452,"structure_id":13486,"section_number":"46.2-885","catch_line":"When vehicles to stop at railroad grade crossings","url":"\/46.2-885\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9\/46.2-885","metadata":false},{"id":82995,"structure_id":13486,"section_number":"46.2-886","catch_line":"When drivers of certain vehicles to stop, look, and listen at railroad crossings; crossing tracks without shifting gears","url":"\/46.2-886\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9\/46.2-886","metadata":false},{"id":79455,"structure_id":13486,"section_number":"46.2-887","catch_line":"Moving crawler-type tractors, steam shovels, derricks, rollers, etc., over railroad grade crossings","url":"\/46.2-887\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9\/46.2-887","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59528,"structure_id":13486,"section_number":"46.2-884","catch_line":"Railroad warning signals must be obeyed","url":"\/46.2-884\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9\/46.2-884","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":82995,"structure_id":13486,"section_number":"46.2-886","catch_line":"When drivers of certain vehicles to stop, look, and listen at railroad crossings; crossing tracks without shifting gears","url":"\/46.2-886\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9\/46.2-886","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-885\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1956, chapter 164; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2012, chapter 828<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":73503,"section_number":"56-414","catch_line":"Bell and whistle or horn; when sounded","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-414\/"}],"permalink":{"id":231053,"object_type":"law","relational_id":54452,"identifier":"46.2-885","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9\/46.2-885","url":"\/46.2-885\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-885\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/9\/46.2-885","dublin_core":{"Title":"When vehicles to stop at railroad grade crossings","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-885","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except in cities or towns, whenever any person driving a vehicle<\/span> approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver<\/span> of the vehicle<\/span> shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A crossing gate is lowered or a flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a train; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> A train approaching such crossing gives the signals required by § 56-414<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> An approaching train or any self-propelled machinery or automobile type vehicle<\/span> traveling on a railroad track is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing, regardless of whether a clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device or flagman gives warning. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No person shall drive any vehicle<\/span> through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHEN VEHICLES TO STOP AT RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS (\u00a7 46.2-885)\n\nA. Except in cities or towns, whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a\nrailroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section,\nthe driver of the vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet\nfrom the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so\nsafely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:\n\n 1. A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the\n immediate approach of a train;\n\n 2. A crossing gate is lowered or a flagman gives or continues to give a signal\n of the approach or passage of a train;\n\n 3. A train approaching such crossing gives the signals required by §\n 56-414;\n\n 4. An approaching train or any self-propelled machinery or automobile type\n vehicle traveling on a railroad track is plainly visible and is in hazardous\n proximity to such crossing, regardless of whether a clearly visible electric\n or mechanical signal device or flagman gives warning.\n\nB. No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate\nor barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is\nbeing opened or closed.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-254; 1956, c. 164; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-244; 1989, c.\n727; 2012, c. 828.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}