Halting of a vehicle in level crossing, movable bridge or tunnel

Article 97. Halting of a vehicle in level crossing, movable bridge or tunnel.
1. If, for reasons of force majeur a vehicle is left stopped on a level crossing or its load falls onto it, the driver must take the necessary measures for the fast evacuation of the occupants from the vehicle and to clear the crossing as quickly as possible. If not possible, he must immediately use any means available to alert both railway personnel and other vehicle drivers approaching the crossing to the existence of the danger with sufficient notice (LST Art 41).
2. The rules in the previous section apply, in the same circumstances, when a vehicle stops on, or its load falls onto a movable bridge.
3. If in an emergency a driver is immobilized with his vehicle in a tunnel or underpass, he must:
a) Turn off the engine, put on the hazard lights and leave on the position lights.
b) If possible, move the vehicle to the next area emergency lay-by in his direction of travel. If there is no lay-by, he must stop the vehicle as close as possible to the right hand side of the road.
c) Place the hazard warning triangles correctly on the road.
d) Call for help without delay at the next first aid post (SOS), if it exists, and follow the instructions given to him.
e) The driver and occupants must get out of the vehicle quickly, going to the next refuge or exit, without using the road if areas separated from the traffic exist.
f) If the vehicle is able to move, he must continue to the tunnel or underpass exit, or if not possible, to the next emergency lay-by.
In case of fire, the driver must leave the vehicle as close as possible to the right hand side so as not to obstruct the passage of emergency vehicles. He must turn off the engine; leave the key in the ignition and the doors open. The driver and occupants must abandon the vehicle quickly, going to the next refuge or exit, in the opposite direction to the fire, without using the road if areas separated from the traffic exist.
If traffic conditions cause a vehicle to stop inside a tunnel or underpass, the driver and the passengers must not abandon the vehicle. In this case the driver must use the hazard warning lights temporarily to warn other drivers that may be following, leave on the position lights and turn off the engine. He must stop as far as possible behind the vehicle in front.

Barriers, semibarriers and traffic lights

Article 96. Barriers, semibarriers and traffic lights.
1. No road user may enter a level crossing whose barriers or semibarriers are lowered in the road or moving either up or down, or when their traffic lights are lit prohibiting crossing and instructing users to stop.
2. No road user may enter a level crossing equipped with barriers, semibarriers or traffic lights, without first checking that no rail vehicle is approaching.
3. No user, except emergency, recovery or maintenance services, may enter a tunnel or underpass if at the entrance a traffic light prohibits entry.

Obligations of users and owners of roads

Article 95. Obligations of users and owners of roads.
1. All drivers must exercise extreme prudence and reduce their speed below the limit when approaching a level crossing or a movable bridge (LST Art 40,1).
2. Users who, when arriving at a level crossing or a movable bridge find it closed or with the barrier or semibarrier in motion must stop in file in the corresponding lane until they have free passage (LST Art 40,2).
3. Crossing of railways must be done without delay and after checking that, by circumstance of traffic or other causes, no risk exists of being immobilized on the crossing (LST Art 40,3).
4. Level crossings and movable bridges will be properly signed by the owner of the road in the way described in Articles 144, 146 and 149.
5. Tunnels of any length and underpasses over 200m long will be properly signed.
6. In tunnels or underpasses drivers must rigorously apply all the traffic rules relative to them contained in this regulation and especially those referring to the prohibitions on stopping, parking, U-turns, reversing and overtaking. In addition, they must use the corresponding lights.
When not intending to overtake, a safety distance behind the preceding vehicle of at least 100m or a minimum interval of four seconds must be maintained. In the case of vehicles whose MAM exceeds 3,500kg, the safety distance behind the preceding vehicle must be at least 150m or a minimum interval of six seconds.
In tunnels or underpasses with traffic in both directions, overtaking is prohibited, unless more than one lane exists in the direction of travel, in which overtaking is allowed without invading the opposing lane.
7. At all times drivers and users of a tunnel or underpass must obey the indications of traffic lights and variable message panels, and follow instructions given to them through loud speakers or other means.