10.64. Are you allowed to make a U-turn if the road visibility is less than 100 m in both directions?
UAЧи дозволено Вам виконати розворот, якщо видимість дороги менше 100 м в обох напрямках?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safety of performing maneuvers in conditions of limited visibility, when the driver cannot assess the traffic situation in advance. In real traffic, limited or insufficient visibility (fog, rain, snowfall, twilight) sharply increases the risk of collisions, since other road users appear "suddenly," and there is much less time to react and brake.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding maneuvering, specifically the application of clause 10.7 (d): a U-turn is prohibited on road sections with visibility of less than 100 m in at least one direction. It is important to understand the term "road visibility" from clause 1.10 of the Traffic Rules and to distinguish it from "insufficient visibility" (less than 300 m in fog, precipitation, etc.): regardless of the reason, if the actual view is less than 100 m, the U-turn maneuver is directly prohibited.
The option "allowed" is incorrect because it ignores the requirement of clause 10.7: during a U-turn, the vehicle reduces speed, crosses lanes, and temporarily occupies a different position on the roadway, and with limited visibility the driver cannot safely make sure there is no oncoming or passing traffic. Accordingly, for the theoretical exam, it is important to remember a simple rule: when visibility is less than 100 m even in one direction, a U-turn is not allowed, and in a situation where visibility is worse in both directions, the prohibition is unequivocal.
Clause 10.7
U-turns are prohibited: a) at railway crossings; b) on bridges, overpasses, flyovers, and under them; c) in tunnels; d) on road sections with visibility of less than 100 m in at least one direction; e) at pedestrian crossings.
Clause 1.10 (term “Road visibility”)
Road visibility — the maximum distance from the driver's position at which road elements and the traffic situation can be clearly distinguished.
Clause 1.10 (term “Insufficient visibility”)
Insufficient visibility — road visibility of less than 300 m during twilight, in conditions of fog, rain, snowfall, etc.
Thus, the correct answer is “Prohibited.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a U-turn is expressly prohibited on road sections where visibility is less than 100 m in at least one direction (and in the question, it is less than 100 m in both directions).
In this situation, the key concept is road visibility. If, due to fog, precipitation, or other factors, you cannot clearly see a sufficient stretch of the road, you are unable to timely assess the presence of oncoming or following vehicles and their speed.
A U-turn is a maneuver during which the vehicle significantly reduces speed and, for a short time, occupies a different position on the roadway, often crossing traffic lanes. To safely perform such a maneuver, the driver needs a clear field of view to ensure there is no danger from either direction.
The traffic rules explicitly set restrictions: according to paragraph 10.7 (d), a U-turn is prohibited if road visibility is less than 100 m in at least one direction. In our case, visibility is less than 100 m in both directions, so the prohibition clearly applies, regardless of what exactly is limiting the visibility (fog or other conditions).
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since according to paragraph 10.7 (d) of the Traffic Rules, a U-turn cannot be performed when road visibility is less than 100 m in at least one direction, and here it is insufficient in both.