Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in New York?
New York law limits a train to 5 minutes blocking a road crossing, under N.Y. Railroad Law § 53-c. We found no New York 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
New York law says a railroad officer or employee may not intentionally block a farm or highway crossing with a locomotive, train or car for more than five minutes in a row.
Exceptions and local rules
No penalty applies when the person has no control over the cause of the blocking, or when the train cannot be moved without putting passengers, the public or freight in harm's way. This also overrides any local ordinance. A violation carries a fine of up to 100 dollars, up to 15 days in jail, or both.
Any officer or employee of a railroad corporation who shall intentionally obstruct, and any owner, officer or employee of a railroad corporation who shall intentionally cause to be obstructed any farm or highway crossing with any locomotive, train or car for a longer period than five consecutive minutes is guilty of a violation
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
New York has its own page about blocked crossings: the NYSDOT Grade Crossings Helpful Links page.
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 New York
New York has 2,669 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.