14.37. Is overtaking allowed at railway level crossings?
UAЧи дозволяється обгін на залізничних переїздах?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in high-risk areas, where any complex maneuvers can lead to critical consequences. A railway crossing is a place where the road intersects with tracks at the same level, so the driver must act as predictably as possible: without sudden lane changes, ready to stop in time and quickly clear the tracks if necessary.
This checks the section of the Traffic Rules regarding overtaking and its prohibitions, specifically clause 14.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules. Overtaking by definition involves entering the oncoming lane, and at a railway crossing and within 100 meters before it, this is strictly prohibited regardless of whether the crossing is regulated or unregulated. That is why the option where overtaking is allowed is incorrect, and the statement that it is permitted only at regulated crossings is also wrong: the Traffic Rules make no exceptions for this maneuver in such areas.
For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the practical application of the rule: upon seeing warning signs indicating an approaching crossing, you should refrain in advance from overtaking that involves entering the oncoming lane, keep a safe distance, and choose a safe speed. Such tactics reduce the risk of traffic jams on the tracks and help avoid the most dangerous accidents, which at crossings almost always have severe consequences.
Clause 14.6 b)
Overtaking is prohibited: b) at railway crossings and closer than 100 m before them.
Explanation of application: the prohibition applies both directly at the railway crossing and when approaching it at a distance of less than 100 m (regardless of whether the crossing is regulated or unregulated).
Clause 1.10 (term "Railway crossing")
Railway crossing — an intersection of a road with railway tracks at the same level.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking (as passing with entering the oncoming lane) is directly prohibited at railway crossings and closer than 100 m before them (clause 14.6 b).
A railway crossing in the Traffic Rules is understood as a place where the road intersects with railway tracks at the same level. This is a high-risk area where any maneuvers must be as simple and predictable as possible for other road users.
Overtaking by definition involves entering the oncoming traffic lane. At the crossing or directly before it, such a maneuver creates additional risks: limited visibility, the possibility of a sudden change in the road situation, as well as the need for the driver to quickly clear the tracks without stopping and without unpredictable movement trajectories.
That is why clause 14.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly establishes a prohibition on overtaking at railway crossings and closer than 100 meters before them. That is, it does not matter whether the crossing has a barrier or not, whether it is regulated or unregulated: the rule is the same for all cases.
In practice, this means the following: if you see warning signs indicating an approaching crossing, you should already assess that there may be less than 100 meters to the crossing, and therefore overtaking will be a violation. The correct tactic is to keep a safe distance, reduce speed if necessary, and pass the crossing without overtaking by entering the oncoming lane.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since overtaking is forbidden at a railway crossing and closer than 100 meters before it according to clause 14.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.