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[quote user="schlimm"]This driver had apparently driven this route many times, so he should have exercised more caution as he neared the crossing.  He really shouldn't have needed to rely on a warning sign to alert him to the crossing.   Bucyrus:  Your analysis is interesting, but you approach this as though the driver were new to the route and unfamiliar with the terrain and crossing.  He wasn't.  He exercised poor judgment by not reducing his speed from 70 or more to 50.   [/quote] <div> But driving the route several times will not familiarize a driver with the risk associated with a short warning if the driver encounters no trains during those several times.  Traffic controls are not set up with sufficient risks and unique hazards so as to require studying them ahead of time or making a cautionary run in order to become familiar with the territory.     <o:p></o:p> In fact, it is possible that the repeated runs past that grade crossing with its gates, tall, cantilevered signal masts, and advance warning built confidence in the driver that he was well protected from a hazard.  Most people drive the speed limit unless a sign tells them otherwise.  <o:p></o:p> I cannot think of a single case of a road feature or traffic control point that required slowing down that did not have a posted speed limit sign for the reduced speed required.  <o:p></o:p> The crossing warning is composed of distance and road speed.  If that Nevada crossing has such a short warning that 70 mph is too fast, the obvious design flaw is not posting a reduced speed through that zone.  Speed limit signs are cheap.  What can possibly be Nevada DOT’s reason for not posting “REDUCE SPEED 50” signs approaching that crossing?    <o:p></o:p> I understand the point that a driver should drive according to conditions, but I do not think this can be carried so far that anything that goes wrong is the driver’s fault for not being cautious.   <o:p></o:p> Every time you meet an opposing vehicle on a two-lane highway, there is a possibility that the opposing driver will lose control and hit you head on.  Should a responsible driver slow down and pull off on the shoulder every time he sees an opposing vehicle coming down the highway?  Should he get out of his vehicle, and walk a safe distance away from it?  Should he refrain from driving at night?    </div>
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