Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Arizona?
Arizona law limits a train to 15 minutes blocking a road crossing, under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 40-852. We found no Arizona court ruling on this limit. Courts elsewhere have held similar limits preempted by federal law, so it may not be enforceable against railroads. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
Arizona law says a railroad engineer, conductor, employee or officer may not let a train or cars stay on a public road crossing so that they block travel for more than 15 minutes, except after an unavoidable accident.
Exceptions and local rules
The limit does not apply after an unavoidable accident. A violation is a class 2 misdemeanor for the person responsible.
An engineer, conductor or other employee or officer of a railroad company who permits a locomotive or cars to be or remain upon the crossing of a public highway over such railway so as to obstruct travel over the crossing for a period exceeding fifteen minutes, except in cases of unavoidable accident, is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.
Does federal law override it?
No federal law sets a time limit for a train blocking a crossing. Federal law does control how railroads run trains, and courts have used it to set aside state time limits.
When a court holds a state limit preempted, the state cannot enforce it against the railroad. A limit no court has ruled on is still on the books, but railroads may challenge it the same way.
Where to report a blocked crossing
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) takes blocked crossing reports from the public for every state.
Report to the FRA blocked crossing reporter
We found no Arizona state page for blocked crossing reports, so the FRA reporter is the place to report.
If a train is blocking the crossing right now, call the railroad on the number shown on the blue sign at the crossing.
Crossings in Arizona
Arizona has 689 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.