What should the tram driver do before driving onto the rail switch?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
B. Look at the switch point and signalling device indicating the direction of the rail switch.
Explanation
In the photo we are driving a tram on tram tracks next to the roadway towards a set of points; above the track hangs a points indicator, which shows the direction the points are set in with a yellow arrow. Before entering the points, the tram driver should look at the switch blade and at the indicator showing the direction the points are set in - answer B.
The indicator tells you that the points have been switched, but it does not guarantee that the switch blade lies correctly against the stock rail - it may be blocked, for example, by a stone or snow. That is why looking only at the indicator (answer A) is not enough, and looking only straight ahead (answer C) ignores both pieces of information. The tram driver checks the switch blades visually and, if something is wrong, stops the tram before the points. The tram driver drives over the points at low speed.
Legal basis: Art. 3 para. 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)