Level crossings were invented long ago and nowadays there are more than 20 000 of them in the USA. Taken together they represent a significant danger. Between 2006 and 2007, 65 people in the US were killed in accidents which happened at level crossings. Half of these accidents were suicides. The rest took lives both of drivers and pedestrians.

Government decided not to build any new level crossing in the country, except some particular cases. The reason – is a dangerous nature of level crossings. Nowadays the problem of intersecting road routes and rail is solved on other ways but a lot of these quaint features of American roads will remain with us for some time.

That’s why everyone should know how the level crossings operate as this one day can save your life. The danger is very vivid if you travel on a route you are not familiar with, especially in the countryside. Imagine that you come across a level crossing of the type you’ve never met before. Or there is no barrier at all. Or there is only a telephone near the roadside. What should you do in all these situations?

The main problem with level crossings is that there is a great deal of their types and too little standardization. A great deal of people of all ranks an positions are responsible for operating them. That’s why there is no unified control. You may be familiarized with modern level crossings which work automatically every time when the train is approaching and departing. They represent danger neither for drivers nor for pedestrians. They don’t waste your time. But this is all about ideal level crossings. However few of them are like that. For instance, some level crossings are to be operated manually. This means that you have to get out of the car, lift up the entry gates on both sides, drive through, get out of the car once more, shut both gates again and then at last drive away. Oh, you didn’t know about that? Then read about.Level Crossing Types

Here is a list of all level crossings you may meet on your way and recommendations how you should operate them:

* Modern level crossings have barriers which block the road when the train is approaching. Some of them block the road fully of just a part of them. These crossings are also equipped with lighting system which flashes red when train is near. They also may have audible alarm system.

* Some crossings are of the same type but they do not have barriers or a system of lights.

* Other level crossings have manually operated barriers. They may also have a system of lights which will show red when a train is near. F it is safe and there is no approaching train, you should get out of the car, open both barriers and drive through. Then you should stop, get out of the vehicle again, close the barriers before to drive off.

* Also you may meet level crossings which have no barriers, lights and audible alarm! At least they should have “Give Way” sign. But there should be a phone near the level crossings of this type. It will connect you directly with the local railway signal office. You should get out of your vehicle, use the phone to talk to the signal workers and ask them if it’s safe to cross. After you have crossed, you should stop on the other side and use the phone in order they know that you have crossed the rails safely. If there is no phone, you must stop at the “Give Way” sign, and look and listen carefully before crossing.

Level Crossing Tips

* Never park near the level crossing.

* Never attempt to overtake on a level crossing.

* Not all level crossings have barriers which completely block the road. Many have barriers which block only one side of the road. This is done from the point of view of safety. This feature prevents a person, animal or vehicle from being trapped between the two lowered barriers.

* If the barriers of a level crossing are raised, this does not always mean that it is safe to cross the rails. Remember: it can be a manually-operated crossing. An irresponsible driver could have raised the barriers, then driven through without returning the level crossing to the previous position.

So as you can see, there is a great variety of level crossings on the US roads today. This is potentially confusing for the motorist, and can be a safety hazard. In order your journeys be safer and more pleasant you should be aware of different kinds of level crossings and know how to behave in confusing situations.

Roger Levinsen

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