Abstract: By securely holding a gate arm connected pivot bar in a retaining and supporting assembly which supportingly holds the pivot bar in one position and allows the pivot bar to drop free when the bar has arcuately rotated into a second position, a universally applicable, pivoting breakaway coupling system is achieved which assures controlled, repeatable, impact breakaway of a roadway crossing gate arm from the control system. The universally applicable, breakaway coupling system of the present invention incorporates a crossing gate arm having a breakaway adapter securely mounted to one end thereof, with the breakaway adapter incorporating a pivot bar which is quickly and easily securely positioned in the retaining assembly for secure, supporting retention thereon when in a first position.