Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma law limits a train to 10 minutes blocking a road crossing, under Okla. Stat. tit. 66, § 190(A). A court has held that federal law preempts this limit, so it generally cannot be enforced against railroads. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
Oklahoma law says a rail car may not be stopped in a spot that blocks traffic at a public road crossing for more than ten minutes, but a federal appeals court ruled in 2022 that federal law makes this rule not enforceable.
Exceptions and local rules
The ten-minute limit does not apply while the train keeps moving forward or backward, or when it is stopped by an emergency such as an accident, a derailment, a critical mechanical failure, a track or bridge washout, a storm or a flood. One extra period of up to ten more minutes is allowed when the crew cannot finish a switching move within ten minutes, when the train is waiting for a second train to pass, or when it is stopped at a red signal. When a train is cut apart to clear a crossing and a working charging station is there, the time needed to couple it again and run the federally required air tests does not count. Cities, county sheriffs and the Highway Patrol may issue a citation, with a fine of up to 1,000 dollars per violation. The citation goes to the Corporation Commission, where an administrative law judge holds a hearing, and the decision can be appealed to the full Commission.
no railcar shall be brought to rest in a position which blocks vehicular traffic at a railroad intersection with a public highway or street for longer than ten (10) minutes.
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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
Oklahoma has 3,641 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.