10.71. When reversing a vehicle, in order to ensure traffic safety, the driver must, if necessary, seek assistance from other persons:
UAПід час руху транспортного засобу заднім ходом водій для забезпечення безпеки руху, у разі потреби повинен звернутися за допомогою до інших осіб:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during maneuvers when the driver's visibility is limited. Reversing is considered particularly risky, as there are often "blind spots," obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles behind the car that may appear suddenly. Therefore, the traffic rules require the driver not only to be cautious but also to take active measures to prevent accidents.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the traffic rules on maneuvering, specifically the requirements of point 10.9 regarding reversing. The regulation explicitly states: the driver must not create danger or obstacles for other road users, and if it is not possible to ensure safety independently, he or she must, if necessary, seek assistance from other persons (a passenger, a nearby pedestrian, etc.) to monitor the situation. It is important to note that such assistance does not relieve the driver of responsibility during the theoretical exam or in real traffic: the decision to stop, continue the maneuver, or change trajectory is still made by the driver.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to understanding this obligation. The affirmative option is correct because it fully complies with the requirements of point 10.9: if necessary, the driver must seek assistance to ensure safe reversing. The negative option is incorrect, as it contradicts the direct rule of the traffic regulations and ignores situations where it is impossible to objectively assess the space behind the vehicle without outside help (leaving a yard, tight parking, obstructed view).
Clause 10.9
When driving a vehicle in reverse, the driver must not create danger or obstacles for other road users. To ensure traffic safety, if necessary, the driver must seek assistance from other persons. At the same time, using the help of another person while reversing does not relieve the driver of responsibility for complying with road safety requirements.
That is, the correct answer is "Yes," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, when reversing, the driver is obliged, if necessary, to seek assistance from other persons to ensure safety and not to create danger/obstacles for other road users.
Reversing a vehicle is always associated with increased risk because the view behind the car is limited by the body, pillars, trunk, as well as the mirrors’ "blind spots." That is why, before and during such a maneuver, the driver must pay special attention to controlling the situation behind and to the sides, so as not to run over a pedestrian, cyclist, another vehicle, or a stationary obstacle.
Clause 10.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a basic requirement: when reversing, the driver must not create danger or obstacles for other road users. In practice, this means that it is not enough to simply engage reverse gear and slowly roll back: the driver must make sure that there are no people or obstacles behind, and that the maneuver will not force others to stop abruptly, step back, or change their trajectory.
There are situations when it is impossible to ensure the necessary control on your own: for example, you are reversing from a spot where the view is blocked by parked cars, a fence, or the corner of a building; backing up in a yard where children may suddenly appear; or moving in reverse in a narrow passage where it is difficult to assess the distance to obstacles. In such cases, the Traffic Rules explicitly state that for safety, the driver must, if necessary, seek assistance from other people so that they can indicate the presence of obstacles or the safety of continuing the maneuver.
It is important to understand that assistance from another person does not transfer responsibility for the consequences of the maneuver. The driver is still required to act cautiously, control the vehicle, and stop if there is the slightest doubt about safety.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes," because according to clause 10.9 of the Traffic Rules, when reversing, the driver is required not to create danger, and when their own view is insufficient, they must, if necessary, use the help of others to ensure safety.