Must you ensure there's space for your vehicle before crossing a railway level crossing?

Ensuring there is adequate space for your vehicle before crossing a railway level crossing is essential for safety. When approaching a crossing, it’s critical to have a clear understanding of the space available on the other side. If a driver enters the crossing only to find they cannot move the entire vehicle across due to congestion or other obstacles, they may become trapped on the tracks. This situation poses a significant danger not only to the driver and passengers but also to oncoming trains. Trains have very long stopping distances, and even a moment of blockage on the tracks can result in a tragic accident. Thus, always ensuring that there’s enough space for your vehicle to clear the crossing before proceeding is a key safety principle, making it essential to confirm that the area beyond the crossing is clear.