Never stop on the rails

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Why you must never come to a stop on rails, and exactly what to do if your vehicle stalls on a level crossing.

Coverage, Never stop on the rails

Lesson objectives

Understand why it is strictly forbidden to stop on the rails of a level crossing Know the real risks and legal consequences in case of breakdown Master the correct procedure to follow in case of involuntary immobilization

The absolute prohibition: never stop on the rails

Stopping at a level crossing is prohibited by article 24, 3° , and article 20.4 even prohibits entering it when congestion risks trapping you there. The « −5 points on licence » that appeared here does not exist: Belgium does not apply a points-based licence system. Classification by degree is a separate regulation from the highway code. What matters for the exam is the rule itself, and it is absolute.

No exceptions: neither open barriers, nor the white lunar light, nor traffic congestion justify stopping on the rails. Article 20.4 draws the practical consequence, do not enter when traffic congestion is such that you would likely be immobilized on the crossing. Fundamentally, the phrase « trains have absolute priority » is not in the code, and it is misleading: it is not a matter of priority between users, but the fact that a rail convoy cannot swerve or stop in time . The code expresses this through prohibitions on entering (art. 20.2 to 20.4), not through a priority rule.

Level crossing with traffic congestion: do not block the rails

Why this prohibition is vital

A train cannot swerve and cannot stop short: the stopping distance of a convoy is measured in hundreds of metres , and for a freight train at full speed, in more than a kilometre . The figure of « 100 metres at 100 km/h » that appeared here was wrong by an order of magnitude. It is this physical impossibility, and not a priority rule, that underlies all the prohibitions in article 20.

A43

A43, Level crossing without barriers. Danger signal from the A series, unrelated to motorways. It announces a crossing with a railway line without barriers: article 20.2 requires extra caution and to proceed only after ensuring that no rail vehicle is approaching.

A41

A41, Level crossing with barriers. Danger signal from the A series. It announces a crossing protected by barriers: article 20.3 prohibits entering as soon as the barriers are moving or closed, as soon as the red lights are flashing, or as soon as the audible signal is operating.

What to do in case of breakdown on the rails?

If your vehicle breaks down or becomes involuntarily immobilized at a level crossing, you must act immediately:

1. Try to clear immediately: restart, and if the engine does not start, engage a gear and use the starter to move the vehicle off the rails. 2. If the vehicle does not move, abandon it , first get the passengers out. 3. Move away from the tracks , and move in the direction from which the train would come , diagonally to the track: debris will be thrown least in that direction. 4. Alert : the emergency number of the infrastructure manager is shown on a sign at the level crossing; if not, call 112 . 5. Do not return to it, regardless of the value of the vehicle or its contents.

Always keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you at level crossings. This gives you space to stop before the rails in case of congestion. Do not enter a level crossing unless you are certain you can cross it completely.

Driver leaving his vehicle broken down on the rails

Warning lights: how to interpret them

At a guarded level crossing (with lights and barriers), the warning lights indicate the state of the crossing:

White lunar light flashing : permission to cross the signal (art. 64.3). Two red lights flashing alternately : prohibition to cross the stop line or, failing that, the signal itself, for all users (art. 64.2). Article 20.3, 2° simultaneously prohibits entering. Audible signal in operation : prohibition to enter, even if the barriers have not yet moved (art. 20.3, 3°). Barriers moving or closed : prohibition to enter (art. 20.3, 1°).

The three causes of prohibition in article 20.3 are autonomous : the flashing red light is sufficient, the sound signal is sufficient, the moving barriers are sufficient. Waiting to see the barriers descend before stopping is already an infraction for several seconds. The scale "−5 points" has been removed: it does not correspond to any Belgian text.

A45

A45, Level crossing with a single railway line. This proximity sign indicates that the level crossing is just ahead of you, with a single track. Check for the absence of a train and cross the rails without stopping on them.

A47

A47, Level crossing with two or more railway lines. Caution: there are multiple tracks, so multiple possible trains that can arrive from different directions. Check each track before crossing and only proceed if the entire crossing is completely clear.

Overtaking prohibited when approaching a level crossing

Article 17.2, 1° prohibits overtaking on the left of a towed vehicle, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels on a level crossing marked by an A45 or A47 , except if the crossing is equipped with barriers or if traffic is regulated by light signals . The prohibition does not depend on what the crossing is doing when you arrive ("closed or closing"): it depends on its equipment .

Anticipate well before a level crossing. Ease off as soon as you see the warning sign. This gives you time to stop comfortably if the lights come on or the barriers descend.

Mandatory equipment in case of breakdown

The warning triangle is part of the required accessories on board (art. 81.2). But at a level crossing, the hierarchy of actions is clear: get occupants out, clear the vehicle if still possible, move away from the tracks, alert . The triangle is only placed afterwards, and never at the cost of a second spent on the rails.

Level crossing

Intersection between a public road and a railway line (train or tram rails). May be guarded (with barriers and lights) or unguarded (without physical protection).

Prohibitions on entering a level crossing

Degrees of infraction: the road code itself does not classify infractions by degree, this classification appears in separate regulations. What the code establishes here are the prohibitions of articles 20.3, 20.4 and 24, 3°.

Absolute priority of rail vehicles

Rail vehicles: the code does not recognize them as having "absolute priority". It establishes prohibitions on entry (art. 20.2 to 20.4) based on a material fact, a rail convoy cannot deviate or stop in time. The practical consequence is the same; the wording expected in the exam is not.

Never stop on a level crossing: stopping and parking are prohibited there (art. 24, 3°), and you do not enter if congestion risks blocking you there (art. 20.4). Three autonomous causes of prohibition (art. 20.3): barriers moving or closed, flashing red lights, sound signal. Unguarded crossing, or signals out of service (art. 20.2): exercise extra caution, only enter after ensuring that no rail vehicle is approaching. In case of immobilization : get occupants out, attempt to clear, move away by heading back towards the origin of the train , alert the manager or 112. Flashing white moon light : permission to cross. Two alternating red lights : prohibition, for all users. Overtaking : prohibited on the left at a crossing marked A45 or A47, except with barriers or light signals (art. 17.2, 1°).

Congratulations!

First complete the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . You have completed this entire course. Congratulations, on to practice!

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