What should be done when a yellow-red flag is displayed two miles from a restricted area?

When a yellow-red flag is displayed two miles from a restricted area, this serves as a critical warning signal indicating that trains must prepare to stop. The flag’s colors signal caution and underscore that the area ahead may present hazards or restrictions that require immediate attention and response from train operators. Failure to adhere to this caution could lead to unsafe situations, such as entering a track or area where personnel or equipment may be working or where there are other significant hazards.

The requirement to prepare to stop ensures that the crew has adequate time to respond to the situation in a safe manner, maintaining the safety of both the train crew and any personnel or operations occurring in the restricted area. This is a vital part of railway safety protocol.