Railway crossing

Most drivers cross a railway crossing automatically – they slow down, look around, and proceed. However, there is almost no room for error in these places. Unlike a car, a train cannot stop suddenly or avoid a collision, so the entire responsibility to ensure it is safe to proceed lies with the road user.

Although railway crossings are encountered daily on Lithuanian roads, not all drivers remember what their traffic light signals mean, where exactly to stop when approaching a train, and what actions are prohibited in the crossing zone. Even less often do they consider how to act if a vehicle unexpectedly stops on the tracks.

In this article, we will discuss the most important railway crossing rules, explain the meanings of traffic light signals, the most common mistakes made by drivers, and the actions that must be taken in critical situations to ensure the safety of yourself and other road users.

When and how should you yield to a train?

If you see an approaching train, you must always yield to it, as a rail vehicle cannot stop quickly. When yielding to a train, you must stop before the STOP line, STOP sign, barrier, or no closer than 10 meters from the first rail. You may only cross the crossing after ensuring that no train is approaching the crossing.

What do railway traffic light signals mean?

• A white flashing signal allows you to proceed after ensuring that no train is approaching the railway crossing.

• One red or two alternately flashing red signals prohibit crossing the railway crossing.

At railway crossings, the red traffic light signal may be accompanied by an audible signal.

What is prohibited at railway crossings?

• Crossing the railway at unauthorized locations.

• Overtaking other vehicles that have stopped before the railway crossing to yield to a rail vehicle.

• Entering the crossing when the barrier is down, or raising the barrier without authorization.

• Entering the crossing if there is an obstacle beyond it that would force you to stop on the crossing.

• Overtaking on the crossing, as well as within 100 meters of it.

• Stopping and standing on the crossing, as well as within 50 meters before and after it.

• Driving livestock or birds, riding (where there are no specially designated places).

• Transporting agricultural, road, construction, and other machinery not specifically prepared for transport over the railway crossing if it could damage the railway crossing equipment.

• Crossing the railway crossing in a wheelchair without an accompanying person.

• It is recommended that children under 12 years old crossing the railway crossing be accompanied by an adult (at least 21 years old).

What to do if forced to stop on a railway crossing (on the tracks)?

• Immediately disembark passengers;

• Take all actions to move the vehicle off the railway crossing;

• If unable to move the vehicle – signal the approaching rail vehicle's driver. The stopping signal is considered to be rotating your arm in a circle during daylight with a brightly colored, highly visible object, and during nighttime with a torch or lantern.