10.6. Is it permitted for a car to reverse in this location under conditions of insufficient visibility?
UAЧи дозволено автомобілю рух заднім ходом у даному місці в умовах недостатньої видимості?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of safe maneuvering in challenging conditions, when road visibility is reduced due to fog, rain, snowfall, or twilight. Such situations are among the most dangerous in real traffic, as other drivers may notice the vehicle too late, and the driver themselves has limited control over the situation behind, which directly affects the risk of collision.
The question relates to the topic of maneuvering and positioning of vehicles on the road (Section 10 of the Traffic Rules) and is directly connected to clause 10.10 of the Rules. This particular clause establishes a prohibition on reversing in areas with insufficient visibility, and the term "insufficient visibility" in the Rules means road visibility in the direction of travel of less than 300 meters (clause 1.10). That is, in conditions where the driver cannot see vehicles or obstacles in advance, reversing is considered unacceptable regardless of the driver's intentions.
The analysis of the answer options in the context of the theoretical exam boils down to the fact that the wording "allowed provided traffic safety is ensured" is a general rule from clause 10.9, but it only applies where there is no direct prohibition. In this situation, clause 10.10 takes precedence, which clearly prohibits reversing when visibility is insufficient, so the correct answer is the one with the prohibition. In practice, this rule helps to avoid accidents when a vehicle reversing becomes an unexpected obstacle for other road users, who, due to weather conditions, may not have time to react.
Clause 10.10
It is prohibited to reverse vehicles on motorways, roads for automobiles, railway crossings, pedestrian crossings, intersections, bridges, overpasses, flyovers, in tunnels, at their entrances and exits, as well as on road sections with limited visibility or insufficient visibility. Reversing is allowed on one-way roads provided the requirements of clause 10.9 of these Rules are met and it is impossible to approach the object in any other way.
This clause directly establishes a prohibition on reversing on road sections with insufficient visibility (as in the question).
Clause 1.10 (term “Insufficient visibility”)
Insufficient visibility — road visibility in the direction of travel of less than 300 m in twilight, fog, rain, snowfall, etc.
This definition explains when the conditions of “insufficient visibility” occur, under which the prohibition in clause 10.10 applies.
Clause 1.10 (term “Limited visibility”)
Limited visibility — road visibility in the direction of travel, limited by the geometric parameters of the road, roadside engineering structures, plantings, buildings, terrain relief, etc.
This term is related to “insufficient visibility” and is also mentioned in clause 10.10 as a separate ground for prohibiting reversing on certain road sections.
Clause 10.9
Reversing is allowed provided that this maneuver will be safe and will not create obstacles for other road users. If necessary, the driver must seek assistance from other persons.
This clause sets out the general safety conditions for reversing, but in the situation described in the question, the direct prohibition of clause 10.10 (due to insufficient visibility) takes precedence.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the Traffic Rules, reversing on road sections with insufficient visibility is directly prohibited by clause 10.10.
When performing the reverse maneuver, the driver has a very limited view of the road behind, and other road users do not always expect a vehicle to appear moving against the flow of traffic. Therefore, this maneuver is only permitted where it does not create danger and the driver can fully control the situation.
Clause 10.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly prohibits reversing on road sections with insufficient visibility. Insufficient visibility means that the driver cannot see vehicles or obstacles at a safe distance in advance, for example in fog, heavy rain, or twilight, when visibility becomes significantly worse.
Under such conditions, the risk of collision increases sharply: drivers behind may notice the reversing vehicle too late, and the driver himself is unable to timely assess the speed and approach of other vehicles. That is why the Traffic Rules prohibit this maneuver in places with insufficient visibility, even if it seems that the space behind is "clear."
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since clause 10.10 of the Traffic Rules forbids reversing on road sections with insufficient visibility due to increased danger and the inability to timely control the situation.