Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Indiana?
Indiana law limits a train to 10 minutes blocking a road crossing, under Ind. Code § 8-6-7.5-1. A court has held that federal law preempts this limit, so it generally cannot be enforced against railroads. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
Indiana law says a railroad may not block a road crossing for more than 10 minutes, but the Indiana Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that federal law stops the state from enforcing it.
Exceptions and local rules
The 10-minute limit does not apply when the train, car or engine cannot be moved because of circumstances the railroad cannot control. A second section bars successive train movements from blocking traffic until all delayed vehicles have cleared or 5 minutes have passed between movements. A violation is a Class C infraction with a minimum judgment of 200 dollars.
It shall be unlawful for a railroad corporation to permit any train, railroad car or engine to obstruct public travel at a railroad-highway grade crossing for a period in excess of ten (10) minutes, except where such train, railroad car or engine cannot be moved by reason of circumstances over which the railroad corporation has no control.
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 Indiana 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 Indiana
Indiana has 5,444 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.