Sec. 545.253. BUSES TO STOP AT ALL RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the operator of a motor bus carrying passengers for hire, before crossing a railroad grade crossing:

(1) shall stop the vehicle not closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad;

(2) while stopped, shall listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and signals indicating the approach of a train; and

(3) may not proceed until it is safe to do so.

(b) After stopping as required by Subsection (a), an operator described by Subsection (a) shall proceed without manually shifting gears while crossing the track.

(c) A vehicle is not required to stop at the crossing if a police officer or a traffic-control signal directs traffic to proceed.

(d) This section does not apply at a railway grade crossing in a business or residence district.

(e) An offense under this section is punishable by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $200.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.107(c), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1438, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.