Railway crossingBrazil
Traffic rules
Brazil
8. Railway crossing
A railway crossing, also called a level crossing or railroad crossing, is a place where a road or path crosses railway tracks at the same level. It may be protected by barriers, warning lights, bells, traffic signs or a combination of these measures.
Road users must approach carefully and never enter when a train is approaching, warning signals are active or the exit is blocked. They should cross promptly and must never stop, wait or become trapped on the tracks.
Wikimedia.org • Amauri Aparecido Zardeto • CC BY
When must drivers stop at a railway level crossing in Brazil?
Stop before crossing railway tracks. Article 212 of Brazil’s Traffic Code requires a stop independently of a separate STOP sign. Check for trains and obey the crossing’s warnings, barriers and authorised directions before proceeding safely.
🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazil, Traffic Code, Law 9,503, compiled text
Warning for a railway crossing with barriers.
English • Traffic sign A-40 • Level crossing with barriers. Obey the controls and never cross while barriers are closed or moving.
Português • A-40 • Passagem de nível com barreira. Adverte sobre um cruzamento rodoferroviário em nível com barreira. Respeite os controles e nunca atravesse com a barreira fechada ou em movimento.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume II, página PDF 69
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Departamento Nacional de Infraestrutura de Transportes • Public domain • Original revision 2014-01-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Brazilian Manual Brasileiro de Sinalização de Trânsito (current SENATRAN catalogue): Gov.br • A-40, PDF page 69. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
Warning for a railway crossing without barriers.
English • Traffic sign A-39 • Level crossing without barriers. Reduce speed, check the tracks and obey crossing controls.
Português • A-39 • Passagem de nível sem barreira. Adverte sobre um cruzamento rodoferroviário em nível sem barreira. Reduza a velocidade, observe a linha férrea e respeite os controles do cruzamento.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume II, página PDF 69
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Departamento Nacional de Infraestrutura de Transportes • Public domain • Original revision 2014-01-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Brazilian Manual Brasileiro de Sinalização de Trânsito (current SENATRAN catalogue): Gov.br • A-39, PDF page 69. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
Warning for a railway crossing with one track.
Warning for a railway crossing with two or more tracks.
Must I stop at every unguarded railway crossing in Brazil?
Yes. Article 212 requires drivers to stop before crossing railway tracks; the duty does not depend on a separate STOP sign or barriers. Look and listen for trains and proceed only when the crossing is safe and the applicable controls allow it.
🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazil, Traffic Code, Law 9,503, compiled text
What if road traffic is queued beyond a railway crossing in Brazil?
Wait before the tracks until there is room to take your entire vehicle off the crossing. Do not follow another vehicle onto the tracks without checking the exit. Keep the tracks clear even if no train is visible.
🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazil, Traffic Code, Law 9,503, compiled text
