Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in South Carolina?
South Carolina law limits a train to 5 minutes blocking a road crossing, under S.C. Code § 57-7-240; § 58-17-4080. We found no South Carolina 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
South Carolina law says a person may not unnecessarily leave a railroad car or locomotive on a street or road for more than five minutes after the train crew has been told to move it.
Exceptions and local rules
The five minutes count only after notice to move has been given to the conductor, engineer or other person in charge, and the rule covers only unnecessary blocking. The fine is 5 to 20 dollars per offense, plus any damage to the road. Section 58-17-4080 repeats the same rule in the general railroad law.
If any person shall obstruct unnecessarily any street, public road or highway by permitting any railroad car or locomotive to be or remain upon or across any street, public road or highway for a longer period than five minutes, after notice to remove such car or locomotive has been given to the conductor, engineer, agent or other person in charge of such car or locomotive
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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina
South Carolina has 2,602 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.
All crossings in South Carolina