Dangerous Railroad Crossings - Essential Safety Regulations Everyone Should Understand

Last Tuesday, a tragic collision between a train and a car in Kusel resulted in the loss of a 16-year-old life and injuries to three others. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of adhering to railroad crossing safety rules.

Whether you're driving, cycling, or walking, it's essential to be alert and attentive when near railroad tracks. Here are some key safety tips to keep in mind:

Always look left and right to see if anything is coming or if there are any light signals at railroad crossings.
Observe the marker signs; long white signs with red diagonal stripes indicate the distance to the railroad crossing. A three-stripe marker means the crossing is 240 meters away, a two-stripe marker indicates 160 meters, and a one-stripe marker means 80 meters.
Listen for an approaching train; the railway authority recommends turning off the radio, ending conversations, and listening carefully.
Never drive around half-barriers at railroad crossings.
Do not proceed across the tracks when the traffic lights are red or when you see an oncoming train.
If you see or hear a train, do not attempt to cross the tracks but wait.
Some railroad crossings have X-shaped signs with traffic lights. Red means everyone must stop before the crossing, and yellow means the crossing must be cleared quickly.
Approaching a railroad crossing, drivers should be aware of the red triangle sign.
Trains have a long braking distance and often cannot stop in time.
At railroad crossings with an X-shaped sign, over footpaths, and cycle paths, the train always has the right of way.
If it's congested directly behind the tracks, you must wait before crossing.
Drivers should only drive onto the railroad crossing if there is enough space for the vehicle behind.
All road users should exercise caution and patience when approaching and crossing railroad tracks.

The railway company active in Kusel and responsible for railroad crossings at the relevant location is Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regio). It is crucial to remember that ignoring the rules for crossing railroad tracks can lead to severe accidents.

Let this unfortunate incident serve as a call to action for all of us to prioritise safety when using railroad crossings. Stay safe, and let's work together to prevent such tragedies from happening again.