What should the driver do in this situation?

Explanation

He must stop completely before the second sign, that is the "ԿԱՆԳ/STOP" sign posted close to the rails.

In the picture two separate signs stand one behind the other: first the red-and-white cross at the right edge, close to the car, announcing an unguarded level crossing, and then the octagonal "ԿԱՆԳ/STOP" right before the railway line; wagons are visible on the track. The first sign is only a warning and creates no duty to stop; the duty to stop is created by the second sign. So the correct place to halt is immediately before the STOP sign, and after a complete stop and confirming the way is clear you may proceed.

The safety reason is clear: an unguarded crossing has no physical barrier, and the only thing that saves you is stopping and looking. A train can neither stop in a short distance nor swerve; if you stay on the rails, you are not the one making the decision. Stopping at the right point means where your view along both directions of the track is open; stopping earlier leaves the view hidden behind trees and the slope of the road, and stopping later means the vehicle is on the rails.

Worth memorising: where a STOP sign exists, the sign itself (or the stop line) fixes the stopping point; do not start measuring the distance to the rails.

• The first sign is a warning, not a mandatory sign; stopping beside it is neither required nor safe, because you still lack adequate sight of the track and drivers behind do not expect a halt at that point. • The figure of 5 metres relates to the stopping distance from a barrier at crossings with no sign and no stop line, and it has stuck in the candidate's mind in a valid form; but here a STOP sign is posted and the sign itself fixes the stopping place.

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