Due to the neglect of traffic rules, railway crossings remain one of the most accident-prone areas. Find out more about the rules for crossing railway crossings, the signs that regulate traffic and liability for violations of these sections

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Violation of the rules for crossing a railway crossing entails not only administrative and criminal liability, but also huge risks to the lives of the driver and passengers. It is strictly forbidden to disregard these rules. We will discuss the current rules of the road when crossing railways, the fines that await violators and how to avoid accidents at such sites in the article below.

What is the right way to cross a railway crossing?

The procedure for crossing railway crossings is set out in the Law of Ukraine ‘On Road Traffic’, namely paragraph 20 ‘Traffic through railway crossings’.

The list of applicable rules that all drivers are obliged to follow:

● Railways may only be crossed at specially equipped level crossings.

● Before crossing and while driving, the driver must strictly follow all signals: the duty officer, barrier, traffic lights, sound signals and road signs.

● In the event of a traffic ban, the driver must bring the vehicle to a complete stop in front of a designated line or at least 10 metres from the rail.

● If there are no special markings, the driver must drive across the level crossing in a single line.

● Passage is prohibited at any prohibition signal: when the barrier starts to move, when the prohibition signal of traffic lights or sound signal is on, when a traffic jam forms behind the level crossing or when a train approaches.

● It is strictly forbidden to open the barrier unauthorisedly, or to drive around it or other vehicles.

● In the event of being stuck at a level crossing, the driver must immediately disembark passengers, try to clear the crossing and signal for help.

● If it is impossible to clear the crossing, it is necessary to sound the general alarm (a series of car horns consisting of one long and three short horns), and in case of a train, run towards it, giving a stop signal (a circular movement of the hand with a piece of bright cloth or any clearly visible object in the daytime, with a flashlight in the dark).

Signs before railway crossings

● Approaching a railway crossing

Photo: Wikipedia

● Single track railway

Photo: Wikipedia

● Multi-track railway

Photo: Wikipedia

● Railway crossing with a barrier

Photo: Wikipedia

● Railway crossing without a barrier


Photo: Wikipedia

Traffic lights at a railway level crossing

Traffic signals at railway level crossings play a vital role in ensuring road safety. They inform drivers about the status of the level crossing and allow or prohibit traffic.

The main traffic signals at a railway crossing are:

● Red signal. This signal clearly prohibits traffic across the railway crossing. Even if the barrier is raised and no train is visible, a red signal means that traffic is prohibited.
● White-moon signal. Informs drivers that the level crossing signalling system is working. If only the white-moon signal is illuminated, it means that traffic is allowed. However, the driver should still be careful to make sure that no train is approaching.

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Liability for violating the rules for crossing a railway crossing

According to the current legislation, violation of the rules for crossing a railway crossing entails a fine of 340 to 850 hryvnias. In cases where crossing is prohibited, the administrative liability is supplemented by deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for up to one year or administrative arrest for 7-10 days.

Drivers transporting passengers or dangerous goods are subject to more severe sanctions in the form of deprivation of driving privileges for up to three years or arrest for up to 15 days.

Remember that compliance with traffic rules is a guarantee of road safety not only for the driver, but also for passengers and other road users.

Keep in mind that insurance is mandatory for all vehicles in Ukraine.

Motor Third Party Liability Insurance (MTPL) is a compulsory vehicle insurance in Ukraine that guarantees compensation for damages in the event of an accident. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can buy a CTP insurance policy from a licensed insurer for reliable protection on Ukrainian roads. Packages with a deductible of UAH 3200, UAH 1600 and UAH 0 are available.

Just a reminder. TruCAM are special devices that allow police officers to control the speed limit on Ukrainian roads. Read more about the radars, how they work and how many of them are currently in use in Ukraine here.

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