8.1.14. Which traffic signal is used to regulate traffic at railway crossings?
UAЯкий світлофор застосовується для регулювання руху через залізничні переїзди?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety at railway crossings and the driver's ability to correctly interpret special signals, on which life and accident prevention directly depend. The theoretical exam often includes questions about the differences between 'railway crossing' traffic lights and other types of signaling, since a mistake here means entering the tracks under prohibition or without proper assessment of the situation.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic lights, specifically item 8.7.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. According to it, two types are used to regulate movement through railway crossings: either a traffic light with two red signals that flash alternately (they prohibit passage), or a version where an additional white-moon signal is present, which, when flashing, indicates the signaling is functioning and does not prohibit movement. Therefore, the correct answers are those corresponding to these two types of railway crossing traffic lights.
The analysis of the answer options is simple: the option with 'Traffic Light 1' is suitable if it has two flashing red signals, and the option with 'Traffic Light 2' is suitable if it has a white-moon plus two red signals. The answer that lists both these traffic lights is logical, because the Traffic Rules allow the use of both types at crossings. In contrast, 'Traffic Light 3' does not belong to railway crossings: the T-shaped scheme of white-moon signals is used to regulate tram traffic, not for crossing railway tracks, so options including it are incorrect.
Clause 8.7.6
Traffic at railway crossings is regulated by traffic lights with two red signals or with one white-moon and two red signals, which have the following meanings: a) flashing red signals prohibit the movement of vehicles across the crossing; b) a flashing white-moon signal indicates that the signaling is functioning properly and does not prohibit the movement of vehicles. At railway crossings, an audible signal may be activated simultaneously with the prohibitory signal of the traffic light, which additionally informs road users about the prohibition of movement across the crossing.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Traffic lights 1 and 2," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, traffic lights with either two red signals or with one white-moon and two red signals are used at railway crossings.
When approaching a railway crossing, the driver should be guided by special railway crossing traffic lights, not by regular intersection traffic lights. This is directly specified in clause 8.7.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, which describes exactly which signals are used to control movement through the crossing.
At railway crossings, a traffic light with two red signals that flash alternately is used. When these red signals are on, crossing is prohibited. If the flashing red signals are off, there is no prohibition from the traffic light, and the driver may proceed, observing general safety requirements.
There may also be a traffic light at the crossing that, in addition to the two red signals, has a white-moon signal. Its practical purpose is as follows: the flashing white-moon signal indicates that the crossing signaling is working properly and does not prohibit passage. However, if the red signals start flashing, this means an unequivocal prohibition of movement through the crossing.
Another type of traffic light, with white-moon signals arranged in the shape of the letter "T", is not used for railway crossings. It is intended for regulating tram traffic, so it does not apply to the question of railway crossings.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Traffic lights 1 and 2," since these two types of traffic lights are provided for in clause 8.7.6 of the Traffic Rules for regulating movement through railway crossings (two flashing red signals or a white-moon signal together with two red signals).