Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The Highway Code - Rules for Level crossings


291)
A level crossing is where a road crosses a railway or tramway line. 
Approach and cross it with care. Never drive onto a crossing until 
the road is clear on the other side and do not get too close to the 
car in front. Never stop or park on, or near, a crossing.


292)
Overhead electric lines. It is dangerous to touch overhead electric lines. 
You MUST obey the safe height warning road signs and you should not 
continue forward onto the railway if your vehicle touches any height 
barrier or bells. The clearance available is usually 5 metres 
(16 feet 6 inches) but may be lower.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD 2002 reg 17(5)
293)
Controlled crossings. Most crossings have traffic light signals with a steady amber light, twin flashing red stop lights (see 'Light signals controlling traffic' and 'Warning signs') and an audible alarm for pedestrians. They may have full, half or no barriers.
You MUST always obey the flashing red stop lights.
You MUST stop behind the white line across the road.
Keep going if you have already crossed the white line when the amber light comes on.
Do not reverse onto or over a controlled crossing.
you MUST wait if a train goes by and the red lights continue to flash.
This means another train will be passing soon
only cross when the lights go off and barriers open
never zig-zag around half-barriers, they lower automatically because
a train is approaching
at crossings where there are no barriers, a train is approaching when
the lights show.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 40
294)
Railway telephones. If you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle,
a long, low vehicle with a risk of grounding, or herding animals, a
train could arrive before you are clear of the crossing. You MUST
obey any sign instructing you to use the railway telephone to obtain
permission to cross. You MUST also telephone when clear of
the crossing if requested to do so.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD reg 10 & 16(1)
295)
Crossings without traffic lights. Vehicles should stop and wait at the
barrier or gate when it begins to close and not cross until the barrier
or gate opens.

296)
User-operated gates or barriers. Some crossings have 'Stop' signs
and small red and green lights. You MUST NOT cross when the
red light is showing, only cross if the green light is on. If crossing
with a vehicle, you should
open the gates or barriers on both sides of the crossing
check that the green light is still on and cross quickly
close the gates or barriers when you are clear of the crossing.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD reg 10 & 52(2)
297) If there are no lights, follow the procedure in Rule 295. Stop, look both
ways and listen before you cross. If there is a railway telephone, always
use it to contact the signal operator to make sure it is safe to cross.
Inform the signal operator again when you are clear of the crossing.
298) Open crossings. These have no gates, barriers, attendant or traffic lights
but will have a ' Give Way ' sign. You should look both ways, listen and
make sure there is no train coming before you cross.
299) Incidents and breakdowns. If your vehicle breaks down, or if you have an
incident on a crossing you should
get everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing immediately
use a railway telephone if available to tell the signal operator. Follow
the instructions you are given
move the vehicle clear of the crossing if there is time before a train
arrives. If the alarm sounds, or the amber light comes on, leave the
vehicle and get clear of the crossing immediately.

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