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Two-stripe beacon
Two-stripe beacon approximately 160 m before the level crossing
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When you see the Zeichen
The two-stripe marker indicates that the railway crossing is still approximately 160 m away. Reduce your speed if necessary, watch for signals, barriers and the flow of traffic, and be prepared to stop before the Andreaskreuz.
Rules
- The two red diagonal stripes mean: the railway crossing is still approximately 160 m away.
- The marker is not a speed limit; however, you must approach the railway crossing at a moderate speed.
- From the Gefahrzeichen for the railway crossing or from the three-stripe marker until and including the crossing area, you must not overtake any Kraftfahrzeuge.
- You must stop in particular when the light is red, a barrier is lowering or closed, an audible railway-crossing signal sounds, or a rail vehicle is approaching.
- The marker does not regulate Vorfahrt at the crossing; the key factors there are light signals, barriers, the Andreaskreuz and approaching rail vehicles.
Tips
- Use the marker as a distance reference: three stripes typically indicate approximately 240 m, two indicate approximately 160 m and one stripe indicates approximately 80 m.
- Check the traffic behind you early so that, if you need to stop before the railway crossing, you can slow down smoothly without braking abruptly.
- After passing the marker, pay particular attention to red or yellow light signals, barrier movements and the Andreaskreuz.
- Only drive onto the railway crossing if you can clear it completely; if traffic is backed up, you must wait before entering it.
Common misunderstandings
- The two stripes are interpreted as indicating two railway crossings. In fact, they indicate the approximate distance of 160 m.
- Driving students mistake the marker for a speed limit. It does not prescribe a specific speed, but together with the announced hazard it requires an appropriate, moderate approach speed.
- The marker is confused with a general Gefahrzeichen. It is specifically used to announce a railway crossing and is part of the sequence indicating the distance.
Exam tip
In exam questions, the typical trap is the meaning of the stripes: two stripes do not mean two tracks and do not mean 200 m; they indicate an approximate distance of 160 m to the railway crossing.
Did you know
The markers usually form a countdown sequence to the railway crossing: three stripes at approximately 240 m, two at approximately 160 m and one stripe at approximately 80 m. The distances may vary due to local conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to stop at the two-stripe marker?
No, the marker itself does not require you to stop. However, you must be prepared to brake and stop if this is required by light signals, barriers, signals, an approaching rail vehicle or backed-up traffic.
How far away is the railway crossing after Zeichen 159?
The two-stripe marker is located approximately 160 m before the railway crossing. The actual distance may vary due to local conditions.
Am I still allowed to overtake after the two-stripe marker?
There is already a ban on overtaking Kraftfahrzeuge in the area before the railway crossing, which regularly begins at the Gefahrzeichen for the railway crossing or at the three-stripe marker. Therefore, from the two-stripe marker onwards, you must not overtake any Kraftfahrzeug until and including the crossing area.
Do two stripes mean that the railway crossing has two tracks?
No. The number of stripes indicates the distance in the sequence of markers; multiple tracks are indicated at the railway crossing by the special design of the Andreaskreuz.
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