Rule
Guarded vs unguarded
Guarded crossings have barriers and/or signals that warn of oncoming trains. Unguarded crossings only have a sign (cross). YOU must look, listen, and judge for yourself.
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Lesson6 min
Railway crossings
What to do at an unguarded vs guarded crossing, and why the train always wins.
You will learn, among other things:
Exam trap
You MUST stop if…
• Barriers are down or coming down • Red signal is flashing • Bell is ringing • A train is visible or audible Driving around lowered barriers or passing on red is a serious offence, and dangerous.
Scenario
At an unguarded crossing
Reduce speed well before. Open the window so you can hear. Look both ways. If visibility is obscured, stop completely. A train at 130 km/h needs 1-1.5 km to brake. If you can't cross safely, DO NOT.
Heads up
Never stop on the tracks
Even in a queue ahead, never drive onto the tracks unless you're certain you can clear them. If you get stuck: abandon the car immediately, run diagonally away from the tracks TOWARD the oncoming train (debris from any collision flies away from you).