12.19. What is the maximum permitted speed on roads with a dividing strip within populated areas?
UAЗ якою максимальною швидкістю дозволено рух на дорогах з розділювальною смугою в населених пунктах?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of speed limits within populated areas and their impact on road safety. In cities and towns, there are always more potential hazards: pedestrians, exits from adjacent territories, intersections, and public transport stops. Therefore, the traffic rules set a basic speed limit that applies regardless of how 'high-speed' the road may appear.
In essence, this relates to the section of the Traffic Rules about speed limits, specifically to point 12.4, which establishes the general rule: within a populated area, vehicles must not exceed 50 km/h unless otherwise indicated by road signs. It is important to understand that the presence of a median strip (a term from point 1.10) organizes traffic flows and prohibits driving or parking on the strip itself, but does not by itself increase the permitted speed within a populated area. This is often what the theoretical exam checks: the ability to distinguish between 'type of road' and 'driving conditions within a populated area.'
The analysis of answer options comes down to the fact that values of 60, 70, 80, and 90 km/h are typical 'traps' that may be associated with wider city avenues or high-speed roads outside populated areas, where higher limits are possible for certain categories of roads. However, within a populated area, the rule of point 12.4 takes precedence, and only road signs established in accordance with the Traffic Rules can change the permitted speed on a specific section. In driving practice, this means a simple rule: if you see a sign indicating the start of a populated area and there are no signs changing the speed, follow the basic city limit, even if the road has a median strip and multiple lanes.
Clause 12.4
In populated areas, the movement of vehicles is permitted at a speed not exceeding 50 km/h.
Brief application: this rule is basic for any roads within a populated area, including roads with a median strip (unless otherwise specified by road signs regarding the speed limit on a specific section).
Clause 1.10 (term "Populated area")
Populated area — a built-up territory, the entrances to and exits from which are marked by road signs 5.49, 5.50, 5.51, 5.52 "Beginning of populated area".
Brief application: the question checks that the 50 km/h limit applies specifically within the territory that, according to the Traffic Rules, is considered a populated area.
Clause 1.10 (term "Median strip")
Median strip — a part of the road, structurally separated or marked by solid road markings 1.1, 1.2, which divides adjacent carriageways. The median strip is not intended for the movement or parking of vehicles. If there is a sidewalk on the median strip, pedestrians are allowed to walk on it.
Brief application: the presence of a median strip by itself does not change the basic "urban" speed limit; within a populated area, the restriction from clause 12.4 applies.
That is, the correct answer is "50 km/h," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules within a populated area (clause 1.10), the maximum permitted speed is set by clause 12.4 and is not more than 50 km/h regardless of the presence of a median strip (clause 1.10).
The key point in this question is the combination of two features: the road has a median strip, but the movement takes place within a populated area. In the Traffic Rules, a populated area is defined not by the width or type of road, but by the fact of entering a built-up area, which is marked by the appropriate entry signs. From this moment, special restrictions begin to apply, including speed limits.
A median strip means that opposing traffic flows are physically or by markings separated, and driving on the strip itself is not allowed. However, its presence alone does not change the speed limit within a city or town. It is important for traffic organization, but does not cancel the general restriction established for populated areas.
According to clause 12.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, within populated areas, vehicles are allowed to move at a speed not exceeding 50 km/h. That is, even if the road looks like a high-speed highway (several lanes in one direction, a median strip in the middle), unless there are additional signs changing the permitted speed on a specific section, the basic urban limit of 50 km/h applies.
Confusion often arises because outside populated areas, roads with a median strip may indeed have higher speed limits. But in this question, it is directly stated that the movement takes place within a populated area, so the rule of clause 12.4 has priority.
Therefore, the correct answer is "50 km/h," since within a populated area the general speed limit of up to 50 km/h applies regardless of the presence of a median strip, unless otherwise established by road signs.