1.37. In which of the given illustrations is a motorway depicted?
UAНа якому з наведених малюнків зображена автомобільна дорога?
This exam question from the Ukrainian Traffic Rules tests a basic understanding of what is considered a road in the context of road safety. In real-life situations, a driver must correctly recognize a road regardless of the type of surface, as this affects the responsibilities of road users, the application of markings and signs, speed selection, and adherence to priority. Such tasks often appear on the theoretical exam because mistakes in terminology lead to incorrect decisions in practice.
The question belongs to the section of the traffic rules dealing with terms and definitions (point 1.10), specifically the concept of "motor road, street (road)." According to the Traffic Rules, a road is not only a paved section: it is a part of the area designated for the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, within sidewalks or the right-of-way, together with structures and traffic management devices. Therefore, both a road with an improved surface (asphalt, concrete, paving stones, etc.) and a specially equipped dirt or gravel section fall under the definition of a "motor road"; the only exception is randomly worn tracks without any arrangement.
This is why options that recognize only one of the images as a road are incomplete: the presence of markings and asphalt characterizes the type of surface but does not define the fact of a "road" itself. In such tasks, it is important to distinguish "improved surface" (as a sign of quality and type of pavement) from the broader concept of a road, which also includes rural routes without asphalt if they are specially created for traffic. This knowledge directly helps to correctly answer exam questions and confidently apply the traffic rules in various road conditions.
Clause 1.10 (term "Motor road, street (road)")
Motor road, street (road) — a part of the territory, including within a populated area, intended for the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, with all structures located on it (bridges, overpasses, flyovers, aboveground and underground pedestrian crossings) and traffic management devices, and limited in width by the outer edge of sidewalks or the edge of the right-of-way. This term also includes specially constructed temporary roads, except for arbitrarily worn tracks (ruts).
Application to the question: according to this definition, a motor road is both a road with an improved surface (asphalt, etc.) and a specially equipped dirt/gravel road; only arbitrarily worn tracks without special arrangement are not considered a "road."
Clause 1.10 (term "Improved surface")
Improved surface — cement concrete, asphalt concrete, reinforced concrete or precast reinforced concrete surface, paving stones, surfaces paved with cobblestones and mosaics, precast surfaces made of small concrete slabs, from crushed stone and gravel treated with organic and viscous materials.
Application to the question: the presence or absence of an "improved surface" does not determine the very fact of a "motor road," but only characterizes the type of surface (that is, a road can be a motor road even without asphalt).
Therefore, the correct answer is "In both pictures," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, a "motor road, street (road)" includes both roads with an improved surface and other specially equipped roads, and excludes only arbitrarily worn tracks.
To answer this question correctly, it is important to recall that in the Traffic Rules, the term “road” (motor road, street) is understood broadly. It is not only an asphalted highway, but any part of an area intended for the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, along with all the elements and structures that may be present on it.
In one of the illustrations, a road without an improved surface is shown: dirt or gravel. It is still considered a motor road, as long as it is not just a randomly worn track in a field, but rather an equipped route for movement (with a formed carriageway, shoulders, prepared surface, etc.). That is, the absence of asphalt does not mean it is “not a road.”
In another illustration, a road with an improved surface (for example, asphalt concrete) is depicted, and likely with elements of traffic organization such as markings. This is also a motor road, just of a different surface type. The Traffic Rules do not limit the concept of a road to just the surface: both dirt and asphalted sections can be roads if they are intended for movement.
Therefore, the correct answer is “In both illustrations,” since in both cases the sections shown are intended for vehicle movement, and the Traffic Rules classify as motor roads both roads with improved surfaces and equipped dirt roads (as opposed to randomly worn tracks).