Railway Crossing
The railway crossing is one of the most dangerous places on the road. A collision between a train and a car almost always ends tragically – a train cannot stop over a short distance. Sections 28-29 of Act 361/2000 Coll. establish strict rules for crossing tracks.
In the Czech Republic, there are approximately 8,000 railway crossings. There are dozens of accidents at these crossings each year.
Explanation
RULES AT RAILWAY CROSSINGS (Sections 28-29):
1. SPEED: Max 30 km/h, or 50 km/h when the white light is flashing, at a distance of 50 m before the crossing. 2. PRIORITY: The train (rail vehicle) ALWAYS has priority. 3. STOPPING AND PARKING: Prohibited within 15 m of the crossing. 4. OVERTAKING: Prohibited at the crossing and 250 m before it.
WHEN YOU MUST NOT ENTER THE CROSSING:
- The RED warning lights are flashing.
- The barriers are LOWERED or are being lowered.
- A SOUND WARNING (bell/siren) is sounding.
- A train is approaching (you see or hear it).
- A railway worker signals you to stop.
WARNING: Even when the barriers are raised, always wait until the red lights turn off. Some crossings have a short interval between two trains!
TYPES OF RAILWAY CROSSINGS:
1. WITH BARRIERS AND LIGHTS (secured):
- The safest type.
- Red lights + barriers + sound warning.
- Sometimes they also have a white flashing light (increased max speed to 50 km/h).
2. ONLY WITH LIGHTS (without barriers):
- Flashing red lights without barriers.
- You must come to a complete stop when they are flashing.
- Caution - nothing PHYSICALLY prevents you from entering, but a train is coming!
3. UNSECURED (only warning cross):
- The most dangerous type.
- Warning cross.
- The driver must CHECK for themselves that no train is approaching.
- Slow down to 30 km/h, look in both directions.
- In case of poor visibility: STOP and check.
Signs before the crossing:
- 3 stripes (240 m), 2 stripes (160 m), 1 stripe (80 m) = distance to the crossing.
Example
Example - what to do if you get stuck on the crossing:
1. If the car stops on the tracks (engine failure):
- IMMEDIATELY evacuate all passengers.
- Try to PUSH the car off the tracks.
- If not possible, walk at least 100 m along the tracks in both directions and signal the approaching train (waving, reflective vest).
- Call 112 or the number on the sign at the crossing.
2. Approaching a crossing without barriers:
- Slow down to 30 km/h.
- Look in both directions.
- Do you have insufficient visibility? STOP and check.
- Only when you are sure that no train is approaching, slowly cross.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes:
1. "When the barriers go up, I can go right away" - WAIT! The red lights must also turn off. A second train may be approaching.
2. "At an unsecured crossing, I don't have to slow down" - YOU MUST! 30 km/h within 50 m of the crossing.
3. "Overtaking is prohibited only AT the crossing" - NO! Overtaking is prohibited 250 m BEFORE the crossing.
4. "The train will definitely see me and stop" - NO! A train needs hundreds of meters to stop. IT CANNOT stop over a short distance.
How to remember it
Practical summary:
Railway crossing – absolute rules:
The train ALWAYS has priority. It cannot stop – the braking distance of a freight train is up to 1,000 m.
When YOU MUST stop:
- The red flashing light is on.
- The barriers are lowered or are starting to lower.
- You hear a sound warning signal.
- The space behind the crossing is not clear (traffic jam).
- A train is approaching (even if the signals are not working).
Important distances:
- 50 m from the crossing: Slow down to max 30 km/h (50 km/h).
- 15 m from the crossing: No stopping and parking.
- 250 m before the crossing: No overtaking.
What to do if you get stuck on the crossing: Immediately exit and lead your passengers away. If you can, break through the barriers (it is allowed). Call 112.
What the law says
bb) železniční přejezd je místo, kde se úrovňově kříží pozemní komunikace se železnicí, popřípadě s jinou dráhou ležící na samostatném tělese, a označené příslušnou dopravní značkou,
(1) Před železničním přejezdem si musí řidič počínat zvlášť opatrně, zejména se přesvědčit, zda může železniční přejezd bezpečně přejet.
(2) Vozidla se před železničním přejezdem řadí za sebou v pořadí, ve kterém přijela. Nejde-li o souběžnou jízdu nebo o jízdu podle § 12 odst. 2, smějí vozidla přejíždět přes železniční přejezd jen v jednom jízdním proudu.
(1) Řidič nesmí vjíždět na železniční přejezd,
a) je-li dávána výstraha dvěma červenými střídavě přerušovanými světly signálu přejezdového zabezpečovacího zařízení,
b) je-li dávána výstraha přerušovaným zvukem houkačky nebo zvonku přejezdového zabezpečovacího zařízení,
c) sklápějí-li se, jsou-li sklopeny nebo zdvihají-li se závory,
d) je-li již vidět nebo slyšet přijíždějící vlak nebo jiné drážní vozidlo nebo je-li slyšet jeho houkání nebo pískání; toto neplatí, svítí-li přerušované bílé světlo signálu přejezdového zabezpečovacího zařízení,
e) dává-li znamení k zastavení vozidla zaměstnanec dráhy kroužením červeným nebo žlutým praporkem a za snížené viditelnosti kroužením červeným světlem,
f) nedovoluje-li situace za železničním přejezdem jeho bezpečné přejetí a pokračování v jízdě.
Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.
Check what you remember
Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.
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Question 1 of 5
A load projecting beyond the front or rear of a vehicle must be specially marked when it projects:
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Question 2 of 5
A load projecting from the side of a motor vehicle or a combination of vehicles must be specially marked when it projects:
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Question 3 of 5
Who is authorised to measure the speed of vehicles?
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Question 4 of 5
A load projecting beyond the front or rear of a vehicle must be specially marked only if it projects:
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Question 5 of 5
Loading or unloading cargo on a road: