Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 4511
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.62 (2026)

Stopping at railroad grade crossing

✓ laws through the 2026 session (checked Sept. 2026)
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Effective:
June 30, 2025
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 54 - 136th General Assembly
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(A)(1) Whenever any person driving a vehicle or trackless trolley approaches a railroad grade crossing, the person shall stop within fifty feet, but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of the railroad if any of the following circumstances exist at the crossing:

(a) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a train or other on-track equipment.

(b) A crossing gate is lowered.

(c) A flagperson gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a train or other on-track equipment.

(d) There is insufficient space on the other side of the railroad grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle or trackless trolley the person is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles, trackless trolleys, pedestrians, or trains, notwithstanding any highway traffic signal indication to proceed.

(e) An approaching train is emitting an audible signal or is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to the crossing.

(f) There is insufficient undercarriage clearance to safely negotiate the crossing.

(g) There is insufficient space on the other side of the railroad grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle or trackless trolley the person is operating without obstructing the passage of other on-track equipment.

(h) Approaching on-track equipment is emitting an audible signal or is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to the crossing.

(2)(a) A person who is driving a vehicle or trackless trolley and who approaches a railroad grade crossing shall not proceed as long as any of the circumstances described in divisions (A)(1)(a) to (f) of this section exist at the crossing.

(b) A person who is driving a vehicle or trackless trolley and who approaches a railroad grade crossing shall not recklessly proceed as long as any of the circumstances described in division (A)(1)(g) or (h) of this section exist at the crossing.

(B) No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed unless the person is signaled by a law enforcement officer or flagperson that it is permissible to do so.

(C)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(2) In lieu of a fine or jail term for a violation of this section, a court may instead order the offender to attend and successfully complete a remedial safety training or presentation regarding rail safety that is offered by an authorized and qualified organization that is selected by the court. The offender shall complete the presentation within a time frame determined by the court, not to exceed one hundred eighty days after the court issues the order. The offender shall notify the court of the successful completion of the presentation. When the offender notifies the court of the successful completion of the presentation, the court shall waive any fine or jail term that it otherwise would have imposed for a violation of this section.

Last updated April 30, 2025 at 10:57 AM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1986–2026 · leading case: Petre v. Norfolk S. Ry. Co., 458 F. Supp. 2d 518 (N.D. Ohio 2006).
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Petre v. Norfolk S. Ry. Co., 458 F. Supp. 2d 518 (N.D. Ohio 2006). · cites it 8× “Ohio has codified this rule by requiring a motorist to “stop within 50 but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of a crossing when an approaching train is either emitting an audible signal, or is plainly visible and in close proximity to a crossing.”
Wooten v. CSX R.R., 842 N.E.2d 603 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 2005). · cites it 4× “” The court further stated: “Photographs in this case establish the corn did not severely obstruct the motorist’s view of the tracks or trains on the track.”
Case v. Norfolk & W. Ry. Co., 570 N.E.2d 1132 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. 1988). · cites it 3× “The railroad further argues that Keller was negligent per se because she violated R.C. 4511.62(A), which states, in pertinent part, that: “(A) Whenever any person driving a vehicle or trackless trolley approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in…”
Glick v. Marler, 613 N.E.2d 254 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 1992). · cites it 2× “62, which provides, in pertinent part: “(A) Whenever any person driving a vehicle or trackless trolley approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, he shall stop within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail…”
Cates v. Consol. Rail Corp., 653 N.E.2d 1229 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 1995). · cites it 2× “The motorist’s duty has been codified in R.C. 4511.62, which provides, in pertinent part: “(A) Whenever any person driving a vehicle or trackless trolley approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, he shall stop within fifty feet…”
Maret v. CSX Transp., Inc., 721 N.E.2d 452 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 1998). · cites it 4× “But R.C. 4511.62, which governs a driver’s duties when he or she approaches railroad tracks, makes these pictures irrelevant.”
Davidson v. CSX Transp., 631 N.E.2d 676 (Ohio Ct. App. 9th Dist. 1993). · cites it 5× “The trial court found that Davidson violated R.C. 4511.62(A)(5) and that her actions were the proximate cause of the accident.”
Powell v. Consol. Rail Corp., 510 N.E.2d 818 (Ohio Ct. App. 12th Dist. 1986). “It is clear here that the warning devices at the crossing were operating when this collision occurred; nevertheless, they were ignored. Violation of this duty constitutes negligence per se, and would bar recovery for Kimberly Powell’s estate, but not for her children, if such…”
Lintner v. Norfolk & W. Ry. Co., 694 N.E.2d 140 (Ohio Ct. App. 12th Dist. 1997). “A motorist approaching a railroad crossing must stop “within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of the railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely” where the approaching train emits an audible signal or the oncoming train is plainly…”
Barger v. Chesapeake & Ohio Ry. Co., 590 N.E.2d 1369 (Ohio Ct. App. 10th Dist. 1990). · cites it 2× “The motorist’s duty has been codified in R.C. 4511.62, which provides, in pertinent part: “(A) Whenever any person driving a vehicle or trackless trolley approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, he shall stop within fifty feet…”
State v. Adams, 2026-Ohio-372. · cites it 9× “76) and stopping at a railroad grade crossing (R.C. 4511.62), to which she pleaded not guilty.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.62(A): 1 case
Case v. Norfolk & W. Ry. Co., 570 N.E.2d 1132 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. 1988). “The railroad further argues that Keller was negligent per se because she violated R.C. 4511.62(A), which states, in pertinent part, that: “(A) Whenever any person driving a vehicle or trackless trolley approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.62(A)(1): 2 cases
Case v. Norfolk & W. Ry. Co., 570 N.E.2d 1132 (Ohio Ct. App. 6th Dist. 1988). “The railroad further argues that Keller was negligent per se because she violated R.C. 4511.62(A), which states, in pertinent part, that: “(A) Whenever any person driving a vehicle or trackless trolley approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in…”
State v. Adams, 2026-Ohio-372. “76) and stopping at a railroad grade crossing (R.C. 4511.62), to which she pleaded not guilty.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.62(A)(1)(a): 1 case
Maret v. CSX Transp., Inc., 721 N.E.2d 452 (Ohio Ct. App. 1st Dist. 1998). “But R.C. 4511.62, which governs a driver’s duties when he or she approaches railroad tracks, makes these pictures irrelevant.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.62(A)(4): 2 cases
Wooten v. CSX R.R., 842 N.E.2d 603 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 2005). “” The court further stated: “Photographs in this case establish the corn did not severely obstruct the motorist’s view of the tracks or trains on the track.”
Lintner v. Norfolk & W. Ry. Co., 694 N.E.2d 140 (Ohio Ct. App. 12th Dist. 1997). “A motorist approaching a railroad crossing must stop “within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of the railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely” where the approaching train emits an audible signal or the oncoming train is plainly…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.62(A)(5): 1 case
Davidson v. CSX Transp., 631 N.E.2d 676 (Ohio Ct. App. 9th Dist. 1993). “The trial court found that Davidson violated R.C. 4511.62(A)(5) and that her actions were the proximate cause of the accident.”
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