12.1. In which cases are permanent speed limits introduced by means of road signs?
UAУ яких випадках за допомогою дорожніх знаків вводяться постійні обмеження швидкості руху?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of when speed limits are set not “situationally,” but on a permanent basis to enhance road safety. It concerns cases where risks are stable and predictable: difficult road conditions, increased likelihood of pedestrian presence, or a high concentration of children. For the theoretical exam, it is important not only to remember the fact of the restriction, but also to understand the logic behind why speed is reduced in advance and indicated by road signs in these places.
In terms of content, this question belongs to Section 12 of the Traffic Rules, the topic “Speed of movement,” specifically clause 12.10.2, which defines the exhaustive cases for introducing permanent restrictions. In practice, this is implemented by signs 3.29 “Maximum speed limit” or 3.31 “Maximum speed limit zone,” which, according to clause 12.10, must be used together with warning signs about danger or an object (for example, approaching a pedestrian crossing or a children’s institution).
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that the first option describes two legal grounds for permanently lowering the speed: dangerous sections (curves, limited visibility, narrowing, etc.) and locations of ground-level uncontrolled pedestrian crossings. The second option also complies with the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, as near preschool and general education institutions and children’s health camps, speed is permanently limited due to the predictable presence of children and the need to increase reaction and braking time. Therefore, the correct answer is a combination of these two grounds, and choosing only one of them would be incomplete for this test formulation.
Clause 12.10 (Section 12 "Speed Limits")
Additional restrictions on the permitted speed may be introduced temporarily or permanently. In this case, together with speed limit signs 3.29 "Maximum Speed Limit" and 3.31 "Maximum Speed Limit Zone", corresponding road signs warning about the nature of the danger and/or approaching the relevant object must also be installed. If the speed limit signs 3.29 "Maximum Speed Limit" and 3.31 "Maximum Speed Limit Zone" are installed in violation of the requirements defined by these Rules for their introduction or in violation of national standards, or remain after the circumstances for which they were installed have been eliminated, the driver cannot be held liable under the law for exceeding the established speed limits.
This clause checks the understanding that permanent (as well as temporary) additional speed restrictions are introduced specifically by signs 3.29/3.31 and must be accompanied by warning signs about danger/object.
Clause 12.10.2 (Section 12 "Speed Limits")
Restrictions on the permitted speed are introduced permanently exclusively:
a) on dangerous sections of roads and streets (dangerous turns, sections with limited visibility, places where the road narrows, etc.);
b) at locations of unsignalized pedestrian crossings;
c) at locations of stationary posts of the National Police;
d) on sections of roads (streets) adjacent to the territory of preschool and general educational institutions, children's health camps.
This clause directly defines the exhaustive list of cases when permanent speed restrictions are introduced by road signs; in the context of the exam question, this corresponds to the options about dangerous sections and about places/sections related to pedestrians/children (which are the correct options 1 and 2).
That is, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, permanent speed restrictions by signs are introduced (exclusively) on dangerous sections and in places/sections with increased risk for pedestrians (in particular near unsignalized crossings and children's institutions).
When speed limits are introduced by road signs, it is important to distinguish between temporary and permanent restrictions. We are interested specifically in permanent ones, that is, those established not due to short-term works or events, but for a long period because of the constant characteristics of the location.
Clause 12.10.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly states that permanent speed limits by signs are introduced only in certain situations. Firstly, these are dangerous sections of the road or street: for example, sharp or complex turns, stretches with limited visibility, places where the carriageway narrows, and other similar conditions where increased speed objectively creates a risk of traffic accidents.
Secondly, permanent speed limits are set in places where there are uncontrolled pedestrian crossings at street level. The logic is simple: such a crossing does not have a traffic light, and without reducing speed, it is more difficult for the driver to see a pedestrian in time and stop safely.
Separately, the Traffic Rules also provide for permanent restrictions near children's institutions and at locations of stationary police posts, but in your test wording, the correct answer combines precisely the two key groups of cases listed in options 1 and 2.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2," since permanent speed limits by signs are introduced at dangerous sections of the road and at locations of uncontrolled pedestrian crossings at street level.