Level crossings

By the end of this topic you can

• You can recognise the warning signs and road markings for a level crossing.
• You can respond correctly to the amber light, flashing red lights and alarm.
• You can use a user-operated gated crossing safely, including the railway telephone.
• You can approach an open crossing with no lights or gates.
• You can act quickly if your car breaks down or stalls on a crossing.

What you need to know and understand

• Never stop or park on, or near, a level crossing. Do not drive onto it until the road on the far side is clear.
• A steady amber light followed by twin flashing red lights and an alarm means a train is coming. Stop behind the white line.
• If the amber light comes on after you have crossed the white line, keep going.
• If the lights keep flashing after a train has passed, another train is coming. Keep waiting.
• Never zig-zag around half barriers.
• At crossings with no barriers, a train is approaching when the lights show.
• At open crossings with only a Give Way sign, look both ways, listen and make sure no train is coming.

Crossings with lights and barriers

Most crossings on public roads are controlled by lights. A steady amber light warns you to stop, then the twin red lights flash on and off alternately and an alarm sounds. The barriers, if there are any, then come down. You must stop behind the white line, even if you cannot see a train yet.

Wait until the lights go off and the barriers open before you move. Do not reverse onto or over the crossing while you wait. Leave the road beyond clear too: if traffic is queuing on the far side, wait before the crossing so you are not trapped on the tracks.

Gates you open yourself, and open crossings

Some quiet crossings have gates that drivers open. Some have small red and green lights. Only cross on green. If there is a railway telephone, use it to ask the signal operator for permission before crossing, and phone again once you are clear if you are asked to.

An open crossing has no gates, barriers, lights or attendant, only a Give Way sign. Stop, look both ways and listen before crossing.

1. Stop, look both ways and listen. Use the railway telephone if there is one.
2. Open the gates on both sides of the line.
3. Check that the green light is still showing, if there is one.
4. Cross quickly without stopping.
5. Close the gates once you are clear, and phone the operator again if asked.

If you break down or stall on the crossing

• Get everyone out of the car and well clear of the crossing straight away.
• Use the railway telephone, if there is one, to tell the signal operator, and follow their instructions.
• Only try to move the car clear if there is time and the operator says it is safe.
• If the alarm sounds or the amber light comes on, leave the car and get clear at once. Do not go back for belongings.

Common mistakes

• Following a queue onto the crossing. Only drive on when the road on the far side is clear.
• Moving off as soon as one train passes. Wait until the lights stop flashing.
• Weaving round half barriers to save time. It is extremely dangerous and against the rules.
• Panicking and stalling. Keep calm, use clutch control and drive straight across without stopping.
• Staying in a stalled car. People first, car second.

Test yourself: Level crossings

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Level Crossing Rules UK