About Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light: which statement is correct?
- A level crossing without barriers (recognisable by the locomotive-symbol sign) is less dangerous, so you may drive over it faster.
- ✓ You must stop as soon as the crossing lights start flashing red and the alarm bells start ringing; the barriers only lower a few seconds later.
- Overtaking just before or on a level crossing is legally prohibited, just like at a pedestrian crossing (zebra crossing).
- Just before a level crossing you always wait until after the crossing to overtake a cyclist, even with a clear view and enough room.
Correct answer: You must stop as soon as the crossing lights start flashing red and the alarm bells start ringing; the barriers only lower a few seconds later.
Explanation
You must stop as soon as the crossing lights start flashing red and the alarm bells start ringing; the barriers only lower a few seconds later
Why learners get this wrong
- Both types of level crossing have flashing lights and alarm bells; the only difference is the presence or absence of barriers. The red-flashing-light stop duty applies in exactly the same way at a J11 crossing
- At a level crossing it is advisory ('you'd better not'), not a hard prohibition; overtaking cyclists is even sometimes an exception with sufficient room and visibility. At a zebra crossing overtaking IS legally prohibited
- Not wrong, but not optimal for traffic flow. The book explicitly names this a situation where overtaking cyclists, given sufficient room and visibility, is actually better
Topic: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light
Read the rule: Core: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light
Sections
- Challenge: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light
- The model: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light
- Core: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light
- Why it matters: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light
- Active recall: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light
- Teach back: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light
- Memory hook: Level crossing: markers, the Saint Andrew's cross, and the red flashing light