What should you do when approaching a railroad crossing?

When approaching a railroad crossing, activating hazard lights and slowing down is crucial for ensuring safety. This action enhances your visibility to other drivers and alerts them of your intention to navigate a potentially hazardous area. Slowing down allows you to assess the situation ahead and be prepared to stop if a train is approaching.

It's essential to approach the crossing with caution, as trains can come suddenly and travel at high speeds. By preparing yourself and other road users with hazard lights, you provide a visual warning that could prevent accidents.

The other options, while taking different approaches to the crossing, do not prioritize safety effectively. Speeding up could lead to dangerous situations if a train appears suddenly. Stopping and waiting for a train to pass is appropriate in some cases but may not consider the visibility conditions or other traffic considerations. Changing lanes to avoid the crossing is impractical and could lead to unsafe maneuvers if there's no shoulder or space to do so. Thus, activating hazard lights and slowing down is the best approach to ensure everyone's safety at railroad crossings.