20.21. Where are drivers of vehicles allowed to cross railway tracks?
UAДе водіям транспортних засобів дозволено перетинати залізничні колії?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine checks the basic safety rule when approaching a place where a road crosses railway tracks. Crossing tracks is always associated with an increased risk of accidents: a train has a long braking distance, and outside specially equipped areas, a driver may not notice an approaching train, encounter uneven surfaces, or even get stuck on the rails.
The question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules regarding movement through railway crossings (point 20.1). The Traffic Rules clearly state that crossing the tracks is allowed only at railway crossings, that is, at the place where the road and tracks intersect at the same level (the definition of the term is given in point 1.10). For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember: it does not matter whether the crossing has a barrier or not; the main thing is that it is an officially designated and organized crossing point with appropriate signs, markings, and control devices.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that wording about "good visibility" does not create an exception to the traffic rules. Even if the tracks are visible in both directions and it seems that the way is clear, the Traffic Rules of Ukraine do not allow crossing outside of a crossing, since there are no guaranteed safety conditions or proper equipment there. Therefore, the correct answer is the one that confirms crossing exclusively at railway crossings.
Clause 20.1
Drivers of vehicles may cross railway tracks only at railway crossings.
Clause 1.10 (term "Railway crossing")
Railway crossing — the intersection of a road with railway tracks at the same level.
That is, the correct answer is "Only at railway crossings," given that the Traffic Rules explicitly allow crossing railway tracks only at a specially designated place — at a railway crossing.
While driving, a driver may encounter a place where the road crosses railway tracks at the same level. Such a crossing is defined in the Traffic Rules as a railway crossing. The crossing itself is a specially equipped place where the conditions for crossing the tracks are organized and intended for safe passage.
Clause 20.1 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a clear requirement: drivers are allowed to cross railway tracks only at designated places, that is, at railway crossings. This means that crossing the tracks "where it is convenient" or "where it is closer" is not allowed, even if it seems that there is no train and the way is clear.
The logic of this rule is simple: outside of a crossing, there is no guarantee of safe conditions — there may be poor visibility, uneven surfaces, the risk of getting stuck on the tracks, or not having enough time to react to a train. In contrast, a crossing may be equipped with a barrier, traffic lights, signs, and markings that guide the driver’s actions and reduce the risk of an accident. At the same time, the type of crossing (with or without a barrier) does not change the main point: crossing the tracks is allowed only at this place.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Only at railway crossings," since clause 20.1 of the Traffic Rules allows crossing railway tracks exclusively at specially designated and equipped places.