If your car stalls on railroad tracks, what should you do?

When your car stalls on railroad tracks, the safest course of action is to run diagonally away from the tracks. This approach helps you to move away from the potential path of an oncoming train while also allowing you to create distance from the tracks more quickly. By running diagonally, you are not only moving away from the danger but also taking into account that trains can approach from either direction on the tracks.

Staying in the car if it stalls is not advisable because, in the event of an approaching train, your vehicle could become a dangerous and potentially fatal barrier. Running directly away from the tracks may seem intuitive; however, this option could place you in the direct path of a train coming from the opposite direction. Therefore, moving diagonally provides the best combination of safety and distance from potential harm as you clear the area.