Level crossings over railway lines require special attention due to the risks such crossings can involve for the safety of people and the safety of railway operations.
IP is committed to reducing accidents at level crossings and, in cooperation with municipal authorities, we have implemented a comprehensive campaign to reduce and reclassify level crossings (LC) throughout the country and to introduce technological solutions to reinforce existing safety measures.
These measures are complemented by awareness campaigns, to ensure that level crossings are used correctly and to highlight the risks associated with careless behavior.
- Good Practices
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Accidents can be avoided if safety rules are respected.
- Respect the signals and signs at level crossings.
- Check that no train is approaching and cross quickly.
- Never stop in the middle of a crossing.
- Haste is the enemy of prudence. Never ignore an approaching train.
- It is illegal and potentially deadly to cross a level crossing when the barriers are closed and/or the signals are active.
- It is illegal to cross a railway line anywhere other than at a duly identified or signaled location and fines are imposed for infringements.
- While crossing railway lines, keep in mind that one train can be concealing another train from view.
- Level crossings must not be crossed when the traffic signals are on.
- Disregarding signals at level crossings is a serious offense, punishable by fines.
- Hearing is a vital to sense an approaching train. Never cross a railway line while wearing headphones.
- If a vehicle breaks down at a level crossing and a train is approaching you must immediately abandon the vehicle and move away from the railway line.
- Automatic level crossings have a contact number to phone in the event of emergency
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- Did you know...?
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Trains always have priority with regard to any other vehicles.
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An automobile traveling at 90km/h needs 60m to stop; a train traveling at the same speed needs 600m.
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Trains can travel in either direction and are always traveling at a higher speed than it might seem.
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Trains can have a mass of more than 2000 tons; a train and a car is comparable to a car and a can of soda.
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- Awareness Campaigns
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Act safely at level crossings
Thousands of people have died around the world due to negligence at level crossings. Many organizations are striving to improve safety conditions at level crossings and to disseminate training and awareness to change behavior.
THINK MORE Before you go – Think Twice Before You Cross
Most accidents at level crossings are caused by people disregarding safety rules and signals. Raising awareness of the risks is a key focus of the International Level Crossing Awareness Day and the UIC has produced this video based on real images, captured by CCTV cameras in different countries.
