Louisiana Revised Statutes & Codes

La. Rev. Stat. § 32:175 (2026)

A. The driver or operator of a vehicle approaching a rail-highway grade crossing identified by the presence of a railroad cross buck sign shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, or shall stop if necessary, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting rail of such railroad where the driver or operator has a clear view of any approaching train. The driver or operator shall listen and look in both directions along such track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. Having slowed or stopped in this manner, the driver or operator shall yield the right-of-way to any approaching train and then shall proceed only upon exercising due care and upon being sure that it is safe to proceed.

✓ current as of May 2026

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§175. Vehicles must yield at railroad grade crossings; exceptions; penalties for violations

A. The driver or operator of a vehicle approaching a rail-highway grade crossing identified by the presence of a railroad cross buck sign shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, or shall stop if necessary, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting rail of such railroad where the driver or operator has a clear view of any approaching train. The driver or operator shall listen and look in both directions along such track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. Having slowed or stopped in this manner, the driver or operator shall yield the right-of-way to any approaching train and then shall proceed only upon exercising due care and upon being sure that it is safe to proceed.

B. The driver or operator of a vehicle need not yield at any such rail-highway grade crossing where a police officer or traffic-control signal directs traffic to proceed.

C. Any person who violates any provision of this Section shall be fined as follows:

(1) On first offense, the fine shall be not more than two hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both. In addition, the person in violation shall be required to attend an Operation Lifesaver Course to be given by a certified Operation Lifesaver presenter within one hundred eighty days after adjudication of the citation. It shall be the responsibility of the offender to notify the appropriate court of the successful completion of the Operation Lifesaver Course.

(2) On second and subsequent offenses, the fine shall be not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both. In addition, the person in violation shall be required to attend a one-day safe driver's course designed by Operation Lifesaver within one hundred eighty days after adjudication of the citation. It shall be the responsibility of the offender to notify the appropriate court of the successful completion of the Operation Lifesaver Course.

(3) If an offender fails to attend any safe driving course as required in this Subsection, the department shall suspend such offender's driving privileges for a period of thirty days.

(4) No less than twenty-five dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be collected by the court and shall immediately be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the state treasury.

D. The provisions of this Section do not relieve drivers or operators of the responsibility to comply with the provisions of R.S. 32:171 and 173.

Acts 1990, No. 143, §1; Acts 2005, No. 477, §1; Acts 2012, No. 811, §9, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 834, §5, eff. July 1, 2012.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 15 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1994–2026 · leading case: LeJeune v. Union Pac. RR, 712 So. 2d 491 (La. 1998).

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LeJeune v. Union Pac. RR, 712 So. 2d 491 (La. 1998). “…train and then shall proceed only upon exercising due care and upon being sure that it is safe to proceed. La. R.S. 32:175(A) (emphasis added).”

Rivere v. Union Pac. R. Co., 647 So. 2d 1140 (La. Ct. App. 1994). “[7] This rule of law has now been legislatively codified in LSA-R.S. 32:175 which provides that: A. The driver or operator of a vehicle approaching a rail-highway grade crossing identified by the presence of a railroad cross buck sign shall slow down to a speed reasonable for…”

Wilkerson v. Kansas City S. Ry., 772 So. 2d 268 (La. Ct. App. 2000). “R.S. 32:175 provides, in pertinent part: A.”

Goodwyne v. People's Moss Gin, Inc., 694 So. 2d 1101 (La. Ct. App. 1997). “R.S. 32:175(A), which states in pertinent part that a motorist approaching a railroad crossing must, depending on the circumstances, slow down or stop if necessary and "shall yield the right of way to any approaching train and then shall proceed only upon exercising due care and…”

Kendrick v. Louisiana & North West R. Co., 766 So. 2d 705 (La. Ct. App. 2000). “R.S. 32:175 provides, in pertinent part: § 175.”

Holland v. Norton, 70 F. Supp. 2d 666 (E.D. La. 1999). “” R.S. 32:175. The affidavit of Bill Shrewsberry, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) civil engineer charged with the administration of the Federal Railroad Safety Program, states that Alligator Lane is not within the state highway system and that the…”

Plank v. Town of Rayville, 764 So. 2d 1194 (La. Ct. App. 2000). “R.S. 32:175. Furthermore, a motorist approaching a railroad grade crossing equipped with only a railroad cross buck sign is required to yield the right of way to oncoming trains.”

Moore v. Kansas City S. R. Co., 722 So. 2d 296 (La. Ct. App. 1998). “R.S. 32:175. The District Court's findings of fact are not disturbed on appeal unless the reviewing court finds that they are clearly wrong or manifestly erroneous.”

Duncan v. Kansas City S. Ry. Co., 747 So. 2d 656 (La. Ct. App. 1999). “R.S. 32:175(A) requires that a driver yield as follows: The driver or operator of a vehicle approaching a rail-highway grade crossing identified by the presence of a railroad cross buck sign shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, or shall stop if…”

Theopholia Thomas v. Bnsf Ry. Co. (La. 2026). · cites it 4× “R.S. 32:175, 2 BNSF alleged, and evidence was introduced to suggest, that the plaintiff violated the following traffic control laws: La.”

King v. Danna, 784 So. 2d 757 (La. Ct. App. 2001). “R.S. 32:175(A), which requires motorists to yield the right of way to any approaching train at railway grade crossings, and then proceed only upon exercising due *767 care and upon being sure that it is safe to do so.”

Progressive Paloverde Ins. Co. v. Est. of Bobby J. Jenkins (E.D. La. 2021). “§ 32:175. As stated above, stop signs and a crossbuck were present at the Crossing and drivers had sufficient 2 Industrial Aggregates was a named defendant in this case but was subsequently dismissed after the Court granted its motion for summary judgment.”

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— La. Rev. Stat. § 32:175(A) — 6 cases

Theopholia Thomas v. Bnsf Ry. Co. (La. 2026). “R.S. 32:175, 2 BNSF alleged, and evidence was introduced to suggest, that the plaintiff violated the following traffic control laws: La.”

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