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[quote user="tree68"] <blockquote>Also from the Iowa manual, a round yellow sign (RXR) means "Railroad crossing ahead. These signs give you early warning of railroad crossings."  You'll note that it does not say that you do or don't have to take action as you pass the sign.</blockquote> From a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.techtransfer.berkeley.edu/railroad06downloads/nizam_macdonald.pdf" title="http://www.techtransfer.berkeley.edu/railroad06downloads/nizam_macdonald.pdf">PowerPoint out of Berkley University</a>, in a section covering three situations encountered by a driver approaching a crossing: Approach Zone - Recognizes that a crossing is ahead. Begins to search for train or signal.- Decides the proper course of action. Once again, neither the manual nor the Berkley document mentions when you should begin your preparations, only that you should. <div style="clear:both;"></div> [/quote] Well it does indeed mention when you should begin your preparations.  The response where a driver recognizes a crossing is ahead is the definition of the approach zone.  The zones are specific ranges with a beginning and an end.  Therefore, since the driver response is defined by the approach zone, it begins with the approach zone.  That is only logical.  And there is nothing that states a requirement to recognize that a crossing is ahead, prior to reaching the approach zone.   <o:p></o:p> The issue of sign legibility is quantified by how far away it can be seen, but that distance does not represent the point where the sign takes effect.  A sign that only becomes legible the instant you pass it will increase the probability that a driver will miss it by a momentary distraction.        <o:p></o:p> There are people who believe that drivers are supposed to comply with a reduced speed as soon as a sign ahead calling for a slower speed limit becomes visible. That would be analogous to your belief that drivers must react to the approach zone as soon as the signs are visible.  The fact is that drivers do not have to comply with the lowering of the speed limit until they reach the sign that establishes it.  <o:p></o:p> Regarding the advance warning RXR sign, you mention that the Iowa driver’s manual does not say you don’t have to take action until you pass a sign.  But it also does not say you do have to take action in advance of the sign.  You are not required to do something just because the manual does not tell you not to do it.   <o:p></o:p> The fact that the RXR advance signs give early warning of the crossing ahead does not mean that one must react early to the advance signs.
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