20.9. How should you act in this situation when the light and sound signals are activated at the railway crossing, but the barriers have not yet started to lower?
UAЯк ви повинні вчинити в цій ситуації, коли на залізничному переїзді увімкнулися світлова та звукова сигналізації, а шлагбауми ще не почали опускатися?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the rules for safely crossing railway crossings—one of the most dangerous sections of the road, where a driver's mistake can have fatal consequences. Such situations often appear in the theoretical exam, as it is important to clearly understand that the main signal for the driver is not only the barrier, but primarily the light and sound signals, which warn of an approaching train and prohibit entry.
The question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules regarding movement across railway crossings (paragraph 20.5, subparagraph v). It checks the principle that if a prohibitive signal from the traffic light and/or a sound signal is already activated at the crossing, passage is prohibited regardless of the presence or position of the barrier. The barrier may remain raised for a few seconds only to allow vehicles already on the crossing to clear it, but this does not mean permission to enter.
If you evaluate the answer options, actions such as "cross while the barrier is not lowering" or "cross after making sure the train is not approaching" are incorrect: the Traffic Rules explicitly prohibit entry from the moment the prohibitive signal or sound signal is activated, and a subjective assessment of visibility does not override the requirements of the rules. Similarly, the approach "stop only when the barriers start to lower" is incorrect, because according to paragraph 20.5 (c), the criterion for prohibition is precisely the signaling. The practically correct behavior for the driver is to stop in advance at the designated place (before the stop line, sign, or barrier) and wait for permission to proceed, so as not to risk driving onto the tracks.
Clause 20.5 (subclause "v")
Crossing the railway crossing is prohibited if: "...v) a prohibitory signal of the traffic light or an audible signal is activated, regardless of the presence and position of the barrier gate."
Short application: if the light (prohibitory signal) and/or audible signals are already activated at the railway crossing, entry onto the crossing is prohibited even if the barrier gate has not yet started to lower — you must stop at the designated place.
Clause 1.10 (term "Railway crossing")
"Railway crossing — an intersection of a road with railway tracks at the same level."
Short application: the question concerns the section of the road where traffic is regulated by signals/barrier gates, and to which the special prohibitions of section 20 apply.
That is, the correct answer is "Stop at the designated place, since crossing is prohibited under these conditions," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, movement through the crossing is prohibited when the prohibitory signal of the traffic light or audible signal is activated, regardless of the position of the barrier gate (clause 20.5 "v").
A railway crossing is a place where a road intersects railway tracks at the same level. Such sections are particularly dangerous, so the procedure for crossing them is strictly regulated.
In your situation, the light and sound signals at the crossing have already been activated. This means the crossing system is warning of an approaching train and is beginning to prohibit entry for vehicles. An important point: the barrier is not the only 'permission or prohibition' for movement. It may remain raised for a short period so that those already on the crossing can finish crossing and clear the tracks.
According to clause 20.5 (c) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, crossing is prohibited if the traffic light shows a prohibitive signal or a sound signal is given, regardless of the presence or position of the barrier. That is, the very fact that the red flashing signal and sound warning are activated is already sufficient reason not to enter the crossing, even if the barrier has not yet started to lower.
Therefore, the correct action for the driver is to stop before the crossing at the designated place (at the stop line, sign, or before the barrier), without trying to 'make it through in time,' as this is directly prohibited by the rules and creates a critical danger.
Thus, the correct answer is "Stop at the designated place, since crossing under these conditions is prohibited," because according to clause 20.5 (c), the activation of the light or sound signals already prohibits movement across the crossing regardless of the barrier's position.