Railway crossings are places where railways intersect with roads, and sometimes with urban streets and tramways, at the same level. They are equipped with signalling devices designed to provide timely warning to drivers of non-rail vehicles approaching the crossing about an oncoming train. Furthermore, the crossing signalling systems must allow for the possibility of signalling a train to stop in the event of an emergency situation at the crossing. Most accidents occur at unregulated crossings where drivers attempt to cross the railway tracks without ensuring the safety of the manoeuvre. Unfortunately, many forget that crossings are zones of increased danger, as trains travel at high speeds, and even with the driver applying all emergency braking measures, a train's braking distance can reach 1.5-2 km. Drivers, in an attempt to save a few seconds, lose their lives and endanger the lives and health of their passengers and train passengers.
June 5 – International Level Crossing Awareness Day
To prevent tragedies associated with crossing such sections, it is necessary to know how to correctly cross railway crossings without creating dangerous situations. When approaching an uncontrolled crossing, drivers are advised (if a stop line or a corresponding road sign is present, it is mandatory) to stop and ensure that no train is approaching, and only then proceed to cross. Before a controlled crossing, you must carefully observe the traffic light. If the red signal is on, the driver must stop at the stop line or at the "No Stopping" road sign, in their absence – before the traffic light, in the absence of a traffic light – no closer than 5 meters from the barrier, in the absence of a barrier – at the "Single Track Railway" or "Multiple Track Railway" road sign, in the absence of traffic control devices – no closer than 10 meters from the nearest rail.
We remind you: crossing railway tracks is regulated by Chapter 16 of the Road Traffic Rules of the Republic of Belarus.
Responsibility for violating the rules of crossing railway tracks is provided for by Article 18.15 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus and entails administrative liability in the form of a fine of up to 4 base units.
Dear drivers! Do not put yourselves, your passengers, people on trains, and in the vicinity of the crossing in danger! The well-being of your family and loved ones depends on you! By saving
minutes, you can make hundreds of people unhappy!