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But does the approach zone at the Nevada crossing actually begin at 1410 feet as the tables call for?  I have not measured it, but it begins at the point of the RXR signs, which another poster measured to be 900 feet from the crossing.      <o:p></o:p> In either case, this does pose a puzzling question about the fine point of drivers’ responsibility.  The approach zone requires a response from the driver.  But the question posed by zugmann is whether or not any driver response is required prior to the approach zone.  The question arises from the fact that the red flashing lights can often be seen prior to entering the approach zone.  But if this requires a driver response prior to the approach zone, what would that response be?   <o:p></o:p> It can’t be a requirement to slow down, because even after entering the approach zone, there is no requirement to slow down.  A requirement to slow down only begins once a driver has entered the non-recovery zone, if a train is approaching and/or if the red lights are flashing.   <o:p></o:p> Once a driver enters the approach zone, he or she is informed that a grade crossing is ahead, and that he or she must look for trains or activated signals.  If the signals are activated, and if the flashing light activation can be seen before entering the approach zone, an undistracted driver will see them.  In that case, a driver who knows what the flashing red lights mean will know, prior to entering the approach zone, that he or she is approaching a grade crossing.  <o:p></o:p> However, there is no need for a driver to physically react to this information prior to entering the approach zone because the approach zone allows enough distance to mentally react, and the following non-recovery zone, allows enough distance to stop.  The two zones are designed that way.   <o:p></o:p> So an informed driver will realize that he or she does not have to react until entering the approach zone.  However, if that informed driver enters this Nevada crossing approach zone in a truck such as the one in the crash, traveling at 70 mph, he or she will discover that the approach zone is unusually short; only lasting 2.92 seconds, after which the driver will enter the non-recovery zone.   <o:p></o:p> If the driver had known ahead of time that the approach zone was so short, he or she might have reacted to the information received prior to entering the approach zone.  But still, short as it may be, 2.92 seconds is plenty of time to react if a driver is not distracted during that interval.
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