Situation 1. The car can be started
1. Ask passengers to move to a safe distance – at least 10 meters from the tracks.
2. Open the driver’s door to allow time to exit the saloon in case of danger.
Can you find out where the train is going? (dangerous driver error)
Many mistakenly believe that if the car gets onto the first tracks from the curb, the train is coming from the left. If on the second track, the train will appear on the right. After all, since there is right-hand traffic on Russian highways, so does the railways – drivers claim.
In fact, there are many exceptions to this rule (both constructive and technological). This means that the train can appear from any direction. In addition, it is very difficult to determine from the silhouette of the train how fast it will travel and how fast it will reach the level crossing. Be extremely careful!
3. If the car blocks between two lowered barriers, the level crossing guard clears the way for you and informs the station guard and the driver about the obstacle. If the officer on duty is not visible, don’t hesitate to knock down the barrier.
Call the traffic police immediately after leaving the level crossing – the law considers a collision with a barrier to be a full-fledged accident. For leaving the scene of an accident, their rights are deprived of their rights for a period of 1 to 1.5 years (Part 2 of Article 12.27 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation).
The inspector drawing up an accident can impose a fine from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles for a damaged barrier (Article 12.33 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation “Damage of roads, railway crossings or other road structures”). But that’s the least of the harm in this situation.
4. How to exit the crossing if the path is blocked by a barrier? Carefully roll your front wheels onto the barrier and continue – the barrier will fold up and give you the way. (This barrier is specially designed for easy access from the “rear”.) In addition, the barrier is equipped with a vehicle presence sensor – this device prevents the barrier from opening under the bottom of the car and damaging it.
You can only attempt to evacuate a car that has stopped at the level crossing if the train is not visible or audible. Otherwise, leave the car immediately and move to a safe distance (at least 10 m from the railway).
Situation 2. Cannot start
5. If a “living” car’s ignition and power systems are junk, it may not start. Try to move the car 5-10 meters using the starter. Experienced drivers are advised to engage the first speed, then squeeze the clutch and turn the key in the ignition. Did the starter work? Release the clutch slowly – the car will likely move. It is important to remember that you can not turn on the starter for more than 10-15 seconds – it can overheat and fail. Although in a critical situation it is worth sacrificing them.
6. If the clutch cable is broken. Engage first gear without clutch (without much effort). Depress the accelerator pedal (about 30%) and start turning the key. The car starts “vibrating”, starts and slowly drives out of the intersection.
7. Sometimes it is easier to push the car to the side of the road. You will need help from passengers or neighbors downstream. If there are no assistants, open the driver’s door and window. Pull out the seat belt and close the door. Now “harness” in the loop obtained from the seat belt and go forward.
Situation 3. It was not possible to get the car off the track
If a serious breakdown has occurred, it will not be possible to push the car away (the wheel is jammed, the ball joint is broken, the car “is” on the bottom of the road, etc.).
8. Warn the driver of the obstacle. To do this, one person goes along the tracks in both directions. The signal is given by rotating movements with a rag or hands, in the dark – with a flashlight. You will have to go fast – the stopping distance of a freight train can be more than a kilometer.
9. Sound alarms with a horn while standing next to the car. One long, three short beeps.
10. Hang a reflective vest on the driver’s door at night.
What to do if an accident does happen?
Follow the directions of the moving attendant.
Do not try to move the car before the police arrive – this is dangerous and can complicate the investigation.
First of all, it is necessary to call an ambulance (if there are casualties), traffic police and fire brigade (in such an accident, there is a high probability of fire).
An accident at a level crossing is handled like any other. The inspector of the traffic police who arrived on call inspects, draws up a protocol and, if necessary, experts are involved in the investigation.
Pending the arrival of the police, make contacts of eyewitnesses to the accident who are about to leave the crime scene – later they can become witnesses. You can take a picture of the car and the road section from different angles.
A picture: TASS, AGN “Moscow”, Unsplash