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Difficulty: HardTraffic Lights and Signals

You are driving on a rural road towards a railway level crossing equipped with twin flashing red lights and a steady amber light. As you approach at a normal driving speed, the steady amber light illuminates alone before any red lights appear. What must you do?

  1. A
    Continue across the crossing until the twin red lights begin to flash
  2. Stop before the stop line unless you are already too close to do so safelyAnswer
  3. C
    Flash your headlights to warn oncoming traffic and proceed across the tracks immediately
  4. D
    Treat the illumination as a cautionary advisory and proceed if the railway line appears clear

Answer

Stop before the stop line unless you are already too close to do so safely
Under The Highway Code Rule 293 and traffic regulations, when the steady amber light illuminates at a level crossing, drivers must stop behind the stop line unless they have already crossed it or are so close that stopping would risk causing an accident.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the type of traffic signal and its current phase
The signal is a level crossing wig-wag assembly showing a steady amber light prior to twin flashing red lights.
Recognising the signal type determines the governing legal requirements under The Highway Code.
2
Apply the statutory rule for the steady amber phase at level crossings
Under The Highway Code Rule 293, a steady amber light means you MUST stop before the white stop line.
The amber light acts as an immediate warning of impending red lights and commands traffic to stop unless crossing the line is already unavoidable.
3
Evaluate the safety exception for stopping distance
If already across the stop line or so close that harsh braking would cause a collision, proceed with extreme caution; otherwise, come to a complete stop.
Emergency braking when too close to the line could lead to rear-end collisions or leave the vehicle stranded directly over the tracks.

Key Concept

Highway Code Rule 293: Amber signal duties at level crossings and emergency services exits
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Traffic Lights and Signals

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