20.28. Are you allowed to cross a railway crossing if the barrier has not lowered, but the light and sound signals are activated?
UAЧи дозволено Вам проїхати залізничний переїзд, якщо шлагбаум не опустився, а лише увімкнулась світлова та звукова сигналізація?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns traffic safety at railway crossings and the correct driver response to warning signals. Such situations are among the most dangerous in road traffic, as a train has a long braking distance and a driver's mistake can lead to severe consequences. That is why the traffic rules establish strict requirements for stopping and waiting before the tracks.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding movement through railway crossings, specifically clause 20.5 (subclause "v"). The regulation is unambiguous: entry onto the crossing is prohibited if the crossing traffic light shows a prohibitive signal or an audible signal is given, and this applies regardless of the presence or position of the barrier. That is, for the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the priority of the light and sound signals, rather than relying on whether the barrier has lowered or not.
The option that allows crossing if the barrier is not lowered is incorrect: a raised barrier does not mean the crossing is safe and does not cancel the prohibition if the signaling is already active. The correct answer is the prohibition of movement, as the very fact of the flashing prohibitive signals and/or audible warning is a direct reason to stop and wait for permission to proceed according to the traffic rules.
Clause 20.5 (subclause "v")
Movement across a railway crossing is prohibited if: c) the prohibitory signal of the crossing traffic light is on or an audible signal is being given, regardless of the presence and position of the barrier.
This clause directly covers the situation in the question: even if the barrier has not yet been lowered, but the light and/or audible signal at the crossing is already activated, entry onto the crossing is prohibited.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, movement across the crossing is prohibited when the prohibitory signal of the crossing traffic light is on or an audible signal is being given, regardless of the position of the barrier.
When approaching a railway crossing, the driver should primarily pay attention to the signals that warn of an approaching train and prohibit entry onto the tracks. Even if the barrier has not yet started to lower or is not present at all, this does not mean that crossing is safe.
According to clause 20.5 (c) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, crossing is prohibited when a prohibitive signal of the traffic light is on or an audible signal is given. That is, the very fact that the light and sound signals are activated is already a direct reason to prohibit movement, regardless of the position of the barrier.
In practice, it looks like this: you approach the crossing, the barrier is still in the upper position, but the prohibitive signals have already started flashing and a warning sound is heard. In such a situation, entering the crossing creates a risk that a train is approaching and there may not be enough time for safe passage, so the rules require you to stop and wait for permission to proceed.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the activation of light and sound signals at the crossing is a prohibitive signal for movement, regardless of whether the barrier has lowered or not.