11.23. In which cases is it permitted for vehicles to drive on sidewalks and pedestrian paths?
UAУ яких випадках транспортним засобам дозволено рух по тротуарах і пішохідних доріжках?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning pedestrian safety and the priority of their movement in areas primarily intended for people, not vehicles. According to the traffic rules, the sidewalk and pedestrian path are considered spaces where any vehicle movement creates increased risk, so the general rule is prohibition, and permission is possible only as an exception under clearly defined conditions.
The question tests knowledge of Section 11 of the PDR (point 11.13) and related requirements of Section 26 regarding movement in residential and pedestrian zones. The essence is that vehicle movement on sidewalks/pedestrian paths is allowed only for performing work or servicing enterprises located directly nearby, only in the absence of other access routes, and under the condition of unconditional priority for pedestrians. This combination of conditions is key for the theoretical exam: the sidewalk cannot be used as a "convenient detour" or a way to shorten the route.
When comparing options, the statement that this can be done "always" for servicing is incorrect, as it ignores the requirement about the absence of alternative access. The option about a complete prohibition "in any case" is also incorrect, since point 11.13 of the PDR of Ukraine explicitly provides an exception for work/servicing near the sidewalk or path. In practice, this means the driver must choose other access routes if they exist, and when the exception truly applies, move as carefully as possible, not create obstacles, and yield to pedestrians.
Clause 11.13
"The movement of vehicles on sidewalks and pedestrian paths is prohibited, except in cases where they are used for carrying out works or servicing commercial and other enterprises located directly adjacent to these sidewalks or paths, in the absence of other access roads and provided that the requirements of clauses 26.1, 26.2, and 26.3 of these Rules are fulfilled."
This clause directly establishes a general prohibition and an exception (works/servicing, no other access roads) and refers to the mandatory conditions of section 26 (priority to pedestrians and additional restrictions for movement in such zones).
Clause 26.1
"Pedestrians are allowed to move in residential and pedestrian zones both on sidewalks and on the carriageway. Pedestrians have priority over vehicles, but must not create unreasonable obstacles to their movement."
Application to the question: even when vehicle movement on the sidewalk/pedestrian path is allowed as an exception, the driver is obliged to yield to pedestrians.
Clause 26.2
"In a residential area it is prohibited: a) transit movement of vehicles; b) parking vehicles outside specially designated places and such positioning of vehicles that hinders the movement of pedestrians and the passage of emergency or special vehicles; c) parking with the engine running; d) movement of trucks, tractors, self-propelled machines and mechanisms (except those servicing facilities and citizens, performing technological works, or belonging to citizens residing in this area)."
Application to the question: confirms that additional restrictions apply in residential areas, and exceptions are possible only for servicing/technological works, which is consistent with the logic of the exception in clause 11.13.
Clause 26.3
"Entry into a pedestrian zone is permitted only for vehicles servicing citizens and enterprises located in the specified zone, as well as vehicles belonging to citizens who reside or work in this zone, or cars (motor carriages) marked with the 'Driver with Disability' identification sign, driven by drivers with disabilities or drivers transporting passengers with disabilities. If there are other access roads to the facilities located in this area, drivers must use only those."
Application to the question: directly enshrines the principle of "servicing only" and the requirement to use other access roads if they exist, which is a key condition for permitted movement in exceptional cases.
Thus, the correct answer is: "For carrying out works or servicing commercial and other enterprises located directly adjacent to these sidewalks or paths, in the absence of other access roads and provided that priority is given to pedestrians," taking into account that according to the Traffic Rules, vehicle movement on sidewalks and pedestrian paths is generally prohibited, and an exception is possible only for works/servicing without alternative access and with mandatory compliance with the conditions regarding pedestrian priority and the regime of pedestrian/residential zones (clauses 11.13, 26.1–26.3).
The sidewalk and pedestrian path are primarily intended for pedestrian movement, so the general rule of the Traffic Rules is: vehicles are prohibited from driving on them. This is done to prevent danger and conflict between vehicles and people walking on the pedestrian area.
At the same time, clause 11.13 of the Traffic Rules provides a narrow exception to this prohibition. Driving on a sidewalk or pedestrian path is allowed only when a vehicle is actually forced to use them as an access route for performing work or servicing businesses (for example, a store, warehouse, or service center) located directly next to the sidewalk or path. A typical situation: delivering goods to a store whose entrance or service exit opens directly onto the sidewalk, and it is technically impossible to approach otherwise.
The key condition for this exception: the absence of other access routes. That is, if it is possible to enter from a yard, from the roadway, through another entrance or access road, the driver is obliged to use that route, not the sidewalk. The sidewalk cannot be used as a "convenient shortcut"; it is permitted only as a forced solution for servicing an adjacent facility.
The second mandatory requirement concerns pedestrian safety. Even when such movement is allowed, the driver must give priority to pedestrians and not create obstacles for them, since in residential and pedestrian zones, pedestrians have priority. In practice, this means driving at the minimum safe speed, being ready to stop, and yielding to people walking on the sidewalk.
Therefore, the correct answer is "For performing work or servicing commercial and other enterprises located directly next to these sidewalks or paths, in the absence of other access routes and provided that priority is given to pedestrians," since the Traffic Rules prohibit driving on sidewalks and pedestrian paths, but allow it only as an exception for servicing/working near them when there is no other access, and only with mandatory priority for pedestrians.