Driving through the railway crossing is

Explanation

Permitted; the flashing white light is on and the red lights are out.

In the picture, on the right of the road, the cross-shaped level-crossing sign is visible together with the crossing's special light. The two red lights at the sides are out and the white light above is on; the barrier has not come down and the track is clear. This combination means the crossing is open and passage is permitted.

The key point is that a flashing white light is a signal of permission and not a warning of prohibition; conversely, any of the red lights flashing — even if the barrier is up and no train is in sight — means an absolute stop. Lights being completely out is not a permission either, and you must cross with full caution and after making sure there is no train.

The safety reason for the strictness at crossings is simple: a train can neither deviate nor stop within a short distance; its stopping distance runs to hundreds of metres. So the whole burden of prevention falls on the driver of the car.

Even when passage is permitted, observe these rules: before entering, look both ways along the track; do not stop on the crossing and do not enter unless you have free space beyond it; do not change gear or overtake on the crossing. The exam trap is seeing the cross-shaped sign and imagining a prohibition; that sign is a warning, not a prohibition.

• Prohibition applies when a red light is flashing, the barrier is down, or an attendant gives a stop signal; none of these applies in the picture.

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