Video: In Poland, a bus driver drove onto a railroad crossing with the barrier down
In the Polish city of Łódź, a bus driver began braking too late before a railroad crossing when the signal was red and came to a stop near the tracks, causing the barrier to come down directly onto the roof of the vehicle. The incident caused panic among the passengers, who began running out of the bus.
Eventually, the barrier was raised, the driver backed up, and the train passed through the crossing without incident. In response to the released video footage, the PKP railway company emphasized that this was “a situation that should never have happened” and reminded drivers that if they become trapped between lowered barriers, they must immediately leave the crossing, even if it means breaking through the barrier.
An MPK bus got stuck under the railroad gates, putting the passengers’ health and lives at risk❗ At the railroad crossing on Edwarda Street in Łódź, a city bus driver entered the crossing after the traffic light turned red. The driver came to a stop in the danger zone, and the railroad crossing gates came down onto the roof of the bus❗ This is a situation that should never have happened, especially involving a professional driver transporting passengers. As a result of the driver’s actions, panic broke out among the passengers, who began to flee the bus. Therefore, it’s worth stating clearly: in this situation, the driver should absolutely not wait under a barrier that has been lowered onto the vehicle. If the vehicle is already on the crossing or between the barriers, the priority is to immediately leave the danger zone, even if it means breaking through the barriers. REMEMBER: A barrier is not an obstacle that can stop a vehicle in a life-threatening situation. It is designed to be broken through so that the vehicle can safely exit the crossing. In this specific case, the driver had the opportunity to reverse the bus. As can be seen in the video, the driver of the car behind the bus left enough space for the maneuver. Instead, the bus remained behind the barriers, and the passengers were let out in the immediate vicinity of the tracks. The correct sequence of actions should be as follows: Immediately assess whether it is possible to clear the crossing. If the road ahead is clear, drive through the barrier and exit the crossing. If it is impossible to proceed forward, back the vehicle up behind the barrier. Do not allow the vehicle to remain in the danger zone simply because the barrier has come down. If the vehicle becomes immobilized, immediately notify the authorities using the level crossing identification number located on the yellow PLK sticker. There is one most important rule: a barrier can always be broken. This incident shows that professional drivers transporting passengers must not only be familiar with the regulations but, above all, must maintain composure and be able to make quick decisions in crisis situations. A few seconds of hesitation can mean the difference between life and death for dozens of people. At a railroad crossing, the most important things are a cool head, knowledge of procedures, and a quick reaction.
— PLK SA (@PKP_PLK_SA) September 11, 2026
This was reported by RMF24.
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