Railway Crossing Flashing Lights

I got a question. When crossing a railway, I know you slow down, unless you hear a train, then you stop. But some of them have flashing red lights. Do you always stop for the lights, like you could almost be at the track and they could start flashing, you wouldn't be able to safely stop, so how would you know if you stop or not? Judge if it is safe to or not?

Must come to a complete stop for flashing red lights at railroad tracks. May proceed to cross track(s) once you have stopped, obviously if save to do so

Flashing lights with gate - can not go thru at all

hwybear wrote:Must come to a complete stop for flashing red lights at railroad tracks. May proceed to cross track(s) once you have stopped, obviously if save to do so

Flashing lights with gate - can not go thru at all

I know that, but what if they start flashing when your to close to stop safely?

Then you proceed through.