Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Louisiana?
Louisiana law limits a train to 20 minutes blocking a road crossing, under La. Rev. Stat. § 48:391 (see also § 48:392). We found no Louisiana 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
Louisiana law says a train, railroad car or engine may not block vehicle traffic at a public road crossing for more than 20 minutes in a row, unless it is moving or one of the listed events stops it. A second section sets the same 20-minute limit for moving or stopped trains and lets the state transportation department grant a variance for a specific crossing.
Exceptions and local rules
A train may block longer than 20 minutes when it is moving (under 48:391) or is held by a brake or other mechanical failure, the federal Hours of Service law, a derailment or other accident, a Federal Railroad Administration directive, or events outside the railroad's reasonable control. Crew members following orders are not prosecuted. Fines start at $200 to $500 and rise with the length of the blockage, up to $5,000 for blockages within one 24-hour period.
It shall be unlawful for any train, railroad car or equipment, or engine to obstruct vehicular traffic at a public highway railroad grade crossing for a period in excess of twenty consecutive minutes, except when such train, railroad car or equipment, or engine is moving or when such movement is prevented by any of the following:
Read the statute: La. Rev. Stat. § 48:391 (see also § 48:392)
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Louisiana has 2,741 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.