When approaching a level crossing, are you obliged to apply the principle of special caution?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
YES
Explanation
In the photo, at dusk after rain, you are driving along a street in a town towards a level crossing without barriers over an electrified line; on the right there is a double St Andrew's cross G-4 with sign B-20 "STOP". When approaching a level crossing, you must apply the principle of particular caution. The answer is: yes.
The Road Traffic Act requires a driver approaching a level crossing and driving over it to exercise particular caution, and before entering the tracks to make sure that no rail vehicle is approaching, and to take appropriate precautions, especially if visibility is reduced because of fog or for other reasons; particular caution means increased attention and adapting your behaviour to changing conditions so that you can react quickly enough. Dusk and a wet road surface make it harder to see a train and make the braking distance longer, and the STOP sign in front of cross G-4 requires you to stop. You slow down in good time, stop in front of the tracks, look and listen in both directions, and drive across when both tracks are clear.
Legal basis: Art. 28 para. 1 and Art. 2 point 22 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym); § 21 para. 1 and 4 and § 78 para. 5 of the Regulation on road signs and signals