Always give priority to trams, especially when they signal to pull away from stops, unless it would be unsafe to do so. Remember that they may be carrying large numbers of standing passengers who could be injured if the tram had to make an emergency stop. Look out for people getting off a bus or tram and crossing the road. Rule 306 As well as road traffic, smaller pedestrian lights are used in populous areas or at dangerous crossings, where extra warning is needed. These consist of a flashing red silhouette of a pedestrian, similar to what users would see at a road pedestrian crossing. Open crossings. These have no gates, barriers, attendant or traffic lights but will have a ‘Give Way’ sign. You should look both ways, listen and make sure there is no train coming before you cross. Rule 299 Pithie, Fraser (January 2018). "Ignorance from Arrogance in 24 seconds". The Railway Magazine. Vol.164, no.1, 402. England. pp.24–30. Depending on the size of the military vehicle, it may take up more than one lane on the motorway or major A-road. It's also often slow-moving and very unlikely to be anywhere near the speed limit of 70mph.

Watch out for vehicles entering or leaving the works area. Where vehicles are travelling in the road and are displaying amber warning lights, leave extra space and expect them to slow or turn into a works area.Network Rail is pursuing a policy of closing level crossings at the rate of over 100 a year in the interests of safety, and replacing them with road bridges or footbridges. [22] The number of level crossings on rail lines controlled by Network Rail went from 7,937 in 2003–04 [23] to 6,322 in 2013–14, [24] and 5,887 by 2016–17. [25] The number of crossings rose to 5,939 in 2017–18. This was due to the increased number of footpath crossing with and without lights compared to the number reported in 2016–17. This is due to a change in the categorisation of level crossings when they are added to the All Level Crossing Risk Model (ALCRM) and doesn't represent a physical increase in the number of crossings on the network. [25] Level crossings constitute a significant safety concern internationally. On average, each year around 400 people in the European Union [4] and over 300 in the United States [5] are killed in level crossing accidents. Collisions can occur with vehicles as well as pedestrians; pedestrian collisions are more likely to result in a fatality. [6] Among pedestrians, young people (5–19 years), older people (60 years and over), and males are considered to be higher risk users. [7] A railroad crossing at Hanoi, Vietnam, with crossing lights, electric bells, and half-barrier gates in their open position Driver Sentenced in Deadly Amtrak Crash". WMAQ TV Chicago. NBC. 28 September 2004 . Retrieved 19 January 2006. [ permanent dead link] It follows a 2005 report by the Health and Safety Executive which raised concerns that areas 'with high levels of foreign vehicle drivers may result in increased decision making errors at level crossings', while another in 2013 by the Rail Safety and Standards Board said the steam train sign may not be 'readily understood by younger drivers'.

In the aftermath of the Hixon level crossing accident, the inquiry emphasised a need to both provide telephones at automatic level crossings, and to strengthen traffic signage and rules to make it unambiguous to road users who needed to call the signaler for permission before crossing. [38] Plessey introduced a phone system in 1970 that enabled widespread introduction and standardization of level crossing telephones. The design of the system enabled road users to call a signaler, the signaler to call the crossing, detect faults and notify the signaler if the fault has been corrected and distinguish between calls from the different phones [b] at the crossing. Controlled Crossings. Most crossings have traffic light signals with a steady amber light, twin flashing red stop lights (see ‘Light signals controlling traffic’ and ‘Traffic signs’) and an audible alarm for pedestrians. They may have full, half or no barriers. Omid Scobie takes aim at 'cold' Kate in first bombshells from new book as it's released in Australia: Biographer claims Princess 'ignored Meghan's cries for help and 'jokingly shivered' at the mention of her sister-in-law's name

What is a level crossing with a gate sign?

These particular signs are mainly seen on quieter roads, hence why only three can be found on the strategic road network in Wales and there aren't any on the Scottish or English motorways or major A-roads. Staying safe on the road Blair, Edmund (17 November 2012). "UPDATE 5-Train ploughs into school bus in Egypt, 50 killed". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. one or two blinking red light indicates a car should stop; if they are yellow the car can pass with caution". [3] There are plenty of common road signs that many drivers see on a daily basis, including 'give way', and 'no through route'. However, there are a few rare signs that may leave you confused as to what they mean.

The steam train sign warns people ahead of a public crossing of a 'level crossing without barrier or gate ahead', and fears have been raised that this is an 'historic image' that may not be understood by younger drivers.There's a chance you've probably seen this sign at some point on your travels and are aware to exercise caution when you spot this warning. These have existed since 2012, the first being at Ardrossan Harbour, North Ayrshire, and are the cheap version of the ABCL, brought about by RAIB suggesting Network Rail fit barriers to AOCLs after a crash at an AOCL in Halkirk, Highland. [28] In an AOCL+B upgrade, the barriers are added into the AOCL's circuitry instead of replacing the whole system as at an ABCL upgrade. They can be recognised by the alarm switching off before the barriers rise once a train has passed, and by not having telephones as ABCLs do. Ministry of Transport (1968). Report of the Public Inquiry into the Accident at Hixon Level Crossing on January 6, 1968. HMSO. ISBN 978-0-10-137060-8 . Retrieved 24 September 2013.

You MUST NOT enter a road, lane or other route reserved for trams. Take extra care where trams run along the road. You should avoid driving directly on top of the rails and should take care where trams leave the main carriageway to enter the reserved route, to ensure you do not follow them. The width taken up by trams is often shown by tram lanes marked by white lines, yellow dots or by a different type of road surface. Diamond-shaped signs and white light signals give instructions to tram drivers only.

Years in the making

The wording for the St Andrews Cross is "Level crossing without barrier" but it seems that the St Andrews Cross is used alone where there are no barriers but there are traffic signals