Are you obliged to stop your vehicle before the STOP sign when approaching a level crossing in the presented situation?

In the photo, in winter, you are approaching a level crossing without barriers; on the right there is sign B-20 "STOP", twenty to thirty metres further on, by the tracks, there is a St Andrew's cross with light signals, and another car is driving in front of you. You do not have to stop the vehicle right at the STOP sign itself. The answer is: no.

The Regulation on road signs and signals states that sign B-20 "STOP" means no entry without stopping, and you should stop at the place marked for this purpose, and if there is none - at a place where the driver can make sure that they will not obstruct traffic on the priority road; these rules apply accordingly to sign B-20 placed before tracks for rail vehicles. In addition, the St Andrew's cross marks the place to stop because of train traffic at a level crossing without barriers. So you must stop, but before the level crossing, at a place from which you can see the tracks in both directions - before the mandatory stop line P-12, and if there is none, just before the St Andrew's cross - and not level with the sign, from where you cannot see the tracks because of the fence.

Legal basis: § 21 para. 1, 2 and 4 and § 78 para. 5 of the Regulation on road signs and signals; Art. 28 para. 1 and 2 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)