10.69. If a pedestrian crossing is divided by a safety island, is it permitted to make a U-turn at such a crossing?
UAЯкщо пішохідний перехід розділений острівцем безпеки, на такому переході дозволено виконати розворот?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning safety in areas of increased risk for pedestrians. A pedestrian crossing is a place where the driver must act as predictably as possible, and any sudden maneuvers can create a dangerous situation. That is why the traffic rules restrict maneuvering near a "zebra crossing," regardless of whether there are additional traffic management elements present.
The question tests knowledge of the section on maneuvering, in particular the requirements of clause 10.7 of the Traffic Rules regarding U-turns. The regulation clearly prohibits making a U-turn on pedestrian crossings and within 10 meters of them on both sides, except in cases where a U-turn is permitted at an intersection. According to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a safety island is intended for the temporary stopping of pedestrians, not for "breaking up" the crossing in a way that would supposedly allow a maneuver between its parts, so the presence of a safety island does not change the prohibition.
Explaining the answer choices for the theoretical exam: the statement about the possibility of making a U-turn is incorrect, as it contradicts the direct requirement of clause 10.7 and may mislead regarding the role of the safety island. The correct logic is as follows: to avoid violating the rules, you must choose a place for a U-turn outside the crossing and keep at least 10 meters before its start and after its end, also taking into account nearby crossings if they are present.
Clause 10.7 [g]
U-turns are prohibited: e) at pedestrian crossings and within 10 m from them on both sides, except in cases where a U-turn is permitted at an intersection.
Clause 1.10 (term "Pedestrian crossing")
Pedestrian crossing — a section of the roadway or an engineering structure intended for pedestrians to cross the road. Pedestrian crossings are marked by road signs and/or road markings.
Clause 1.10 (term "Safety island")
Safety island — an element of the road on the roadway intended for pedestrians to stop while crossing the roadway.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.14.2
1.14.2 — denotes a pedestrian crossing (the so-called "zebra").
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.16.4
1.16.4 — denotes guiding islands and safety islands.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a U-turn is prohibited at a pedestrian crossing and within 10 m from it on both sides, and the safety island does not cancel or change this prohibition.
A pedestrian crossing is a high-attention area where the driver must primarily ensure the safety of pedestrians and avoid making unpredictable maneuvers for them. Making a U-turn at such a location sharply changes the vehicle's trajectory and can be unexpected for pedestrians who have already started crossing or are about to step onto the crossing.
Clause 10.7 (g) of the Traffic Rules directly prohibits making a U-turn at pedestrian crossings, as well as within 10 meters of them on both sides. This means the prohibition applies not only on the markings or within the crossing itself, but also in the adjacent area before and after it.
The fact that the crossing is divided by a safety island does not change this requirement. The island is intended for the temporary stopping of pedestrians while crossing the roadway and serves as an element of their protection, not as a "gap" that allows maneuvers between parts of the crossing. For the driver, this means only one thing: to drive past the island with a safe interval, but not to use this section for a U-turn.
In practice, to make a U-turn without violating the rules, you need to choose a spot at least 10 meters before the start of the crossing or no closer than 10 meters after its end. If there is another pedestrian crossing nearby, the distance must also be observed from it. The only exception concerns U-turns at intersections, when they are permitted, but the safety island itself does not create such an exception.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since making a U-turn is forbidden at a pedestrian crossing and within 10 meters of it on both sides, and the safety island does not cancel this prohibition.