What should you do when approaching a railroad crossing without lights or gates?

When approaching a railroad crossing without lights or gates, the best practice is to listen for trains and proceed carefully. This is because railroad crossings that do not have lights or gates do not provide visual or auditory warnings of an incoming train. Therefore, being vigilant and attentive is crucial.

By listening for any train sounds, such as horn blasts or the distinct noise of a train moving along tracks, a driver can make a more informed decision about whether to cross safely. Understanding that trains can come at high speeds and may not always be visible until they are very close reinforces the importance of caution.

The other options might lead to unsafe behavior. Speeding up to cross quickly increases the risk of an accident, stopping and waiting for a signal at crossings that do not have lights or gates serves no purpose and may lead to unnecessary delays, and only checking left disregards the need to monitor both directions for oncoming trains.