Was told today in class that

You aren't suppose to shift in a turn for: 1. Both hands on the wheel during turns. 2. Reduces the risk of missing a gear and getting stuck in the middle of an intersection. And it is on the Arizona State CDL road test.

Number 2 applies to rail road tracks as well. We were also instructed not to change lanes or pass on the tracks as well as stop. I'd have to go back and look at my books again to see if that's law or just a safe practice.

If I had questions about things one instructor said, I'd ask other instructors for clarification. Not all instructors are the same.

As for pushing a car out of the way, I'd save that for an actual emergency.

 

Just checked and it states flat out: "Do not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks."

 

One time i wasnt paying as much attention as i should have and i didnt have enough room to clear the tracks before i got to the line at the red light


sooo before i stopped on the tracks i hit the left turn lane and made myself look like an idiot. better than getting hit by a train.


I also want to point out that most cars cannot be pushed with most trucks without damaging one vehicle or both.

 

Re shifting during a turn: your trailer is acting as a brake because it's tires are literally scuffing sideways as you turn thus killing some of your momentum. Of course this varies with the angle of the turn.

Re shifting over RR tracks. RR crossings are generally rough. It's much easier on both driver and truck to just hold your gear until you're across completely.

Re the train crossing. Whoever told you that should lose his "instructor" position immediately. When encountering a RR track/light combo stop before you cross the tracks unless you are certain you can stop with the rear of your trailer at least 10 feet clear of the track. Ever notice where the RR crossing stop lines are painted?

Never,never, never ever push or nudge a car with your truck. NEVER!!! You will be looking both for a lawyer and a job. In your scenario you should properly lay on the airhorn and go around to the left. Yes, I know that's the oncoming lane.

 

I agree kittyfoot.

I used to drive with this guy that thought it was ok to shift over railroad tracks. Did it lots. I never understood it...if you set yourself up properly for the crossing you should never have to do it. ever.

I love when you're routed over roads that have stop signs 50 feet after a railroad crossing...then what are you supposed to do exactly? There was one i remember vividly, in BFE texas, on a state farm road, of which there are literally thousands, where i couldnt see if the intersection was clear behind the tracks...so i just put it in granny gear and rolled through slowly, didnt cross the intersection til i was sure it was clear, but also didnt stop....

so technically its illegal to even be there...

 

Hazmat loads prohibit shifting on tracks. Hazmat loads you must stop at least 15 feet from the tracks and proceed when safe. There is no getting cut off as I watch 4 directions at any given time. The four wheeler would be cut off before then.

You'll go around turns in one of two gears depending on the turn. Taking off from a light you'll be shifting up to the turn. You are in better control while you are in gear cornering.

If the car jumped in front of me, my first instinct would be to back up off the tracks if nobody was behind me. If I was stuck, my head would be like a bobbly head in a back dash window if you ever saw one

If a train approached, a big smile would be on my face as I plowed the car for 200'.

I have two regular customers that have tracks like that near them. I'm on high alert when I cross them.

Your instructor needs to concentrate on the basics and stop throwing off the wall stuff at you. You'll make thousands of decisions everyday that aren't in any manuals.

 

He knows he's wrong. It's cheaper for them for you to get a ticket pushing a car out of the way, and them pay for some minor damage, than to have a truck destroyed, train damaged, and driver possibly killed.

If it comes down to push a car or get hit by a train, look out car.

 

Pretty simple not to approach a RR crossing unless you can make it all the way across,

For Texas,
http://law.onecle.com/texas/transportation/545.302.00.html

 

Some ya'll scare me .........