Policija - Stop! Life Comes First - the rules that apply at railway level crossings

At level crossings of the road over the railway line, special traffic rules apply, which every road user should know and follow.

Unfortunately, accidents still happen on railway tracks, so every year a preventive campaign takes place throughout the country, with which we want to improve traffic safety and reduce the number of accidents, which are often the result of reckless or even reckless behavior of drivers.

The police, along with Slovenian Railways and other institutions, are also participating in the campaign, which is led by the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Traffic Safety. During this period, police officers are tightening control at road level crossings over railway lines, and road users are warned to be extra careful and respect the regulations.

picture of a family in a vehicle in front of a railway barrier A train or other rolling stock moving on railway tracks has priority over all road users.

Road users should be aware that the braking distance of a train is long. At a road crossing, forcing the right of way can end without serious consequences, but at level crossings of the road over the railway line, this is very rare, as a train that collides with a vehicle often stops only after several hundred meters.

In accidents at level crossings of the road over the railway line, police officers find that various factors contribute to the reckless or reckless behavior of drivers, from fog and bad weather to the sun's glare, which reduce visibility.

Crossing railway tracks should never become routine. Such "routine" crossing of the tracks by (mainly) local residents is very dangerous. Crossings without barriers or warning lights in reduced visibility are particularly dangerous. Drivers are therefore advised to open the windows in the event of reduced visibility or transparency when stopping the vehicle. If they can't see the approaching train, at least they can hear it!

The same applies to pedestrians - they should stop and listen carefully before crossing. If they have headphones in their ears, they should remove them so they will at least be able to hear the approaching train.

Unfortunately, people also act foolishly at crossings that are properly protected by warning lights, half-barriers or even full barriers. In such cases, there is no excuse for crossing the tracks when this is prohibited.

picture of a child with a toy locomotive in a vehicle in front of a railway barrier

Traffic rules that apply at level crossings of the road over the railway line

A train or other rail vehicle moving on railway tracks has priority over all road users.
The driver must approach the crossing carefully and in such a way that they can stop safely in front of it.
Before crossing, the road traffic participant must stop:
- when the warning light indicates that a train is approaching or that the barriers or half-barriers are about to be lowered,
- when railway barriers or semi-barriers are being lowered or have already been lowered,
- when traffic is stopped by an authorized railway worker holding a prescribed sign,
- at an unprotected crossing, and when a train is approaching, even if the road user is not specifically warned. They may cross the line only after they are sure that no train is approaching the crossing.
It is forbidden to drive in reverse at a road crossing over the railway line.
A driver must not overtake or begin to overtake another vehicle, except for a single-track vehicle, at a road crossing over a railway line.
Stopping and parking at the road crossing over the railway line and at a distance of less than 15 meters from the nearest railway track are prohibited.
If the vehicle is stuck on the railway line, the driver must remove it immediately. If they are unable to do so, they must immediately inform the Information Centre or the police.
If the road runs alongside a railway line, the use of dipped headlights is mandatory when meeting a train.

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