14.6. Is overtaking permitted in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено обгін у даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe execution of maneuvers in areas of increased risk for pedestrians. Overtaking before a pedestrian crossing is dangerous because the driver, moving into the oncoming lane, reduces the visibility of the crossing and may not have enough time to react to a pedestrian who begins to cross. That is why the traffic rules establish clear distance restrictions, which are checked in the theoretical exam.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules about overtaking and oncoming passing, in particular the application of clause 14.6 (subclause "v") and the understanding of the term "overtaking" from clause 1.10. Overtaking is passing by moving into the oncoming lane, and within a populated area it is prohibited closer than 50 m before a pedestrian crossing (outside a populated area — 100 m). Since in this situation there is a pedestrian crossing ahead (in particular, marked by sign 5.38.1), starting the maneuver at such a distance will inevitably lead to driving in a prohibited zone, as the distance to the crossing only decreases during overtaking.
The analysis of the answer options here comes down to compliance with this prohibition: the statement about the possibility of overtaking is incorrect, since the Traffic Rules of Ukraine do not make an exception for overtaking before a crossing within 50 meters in a populated area. Similarly, the option tied to a speed of 30 km/h is also incorrect: the restriction from clause 14.6 (c) does not depend on the speed of the vehicle ahead. In practice, this means that the driver must plan the maneuver in advance and not overtake in a zone where a pedestrian may appear at the crossing at any moment.
Clause 14.6 (subclause "v")
Overtaking is prohibited: c) less than 50 m before a pedestrian crossing in a populated area and 100 m — outside a populated area.
Application: in the given situation, the vehicle is located before a pedestrian crossing in a populated area, and starting to overtake would result in performing the maneuver at a distance of less than 50 m to the crossing, which is directly prohibited.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Application: the maneuver mentioned in the question is precisely overtaking as defined by the Traffic Rules, so the prohibition from clause 14.6 applies to it.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Information and Guidance Signs", sign 5.38.1 "Pedestrian Crossing"
Sign 5.38.1 "Pedestrian Crossing" is used to indicate places designated for organized pedestrian crossing of the carriageway. The sign is installed on the right side of the road at the near edge of the crossing.
Application: the presence of the sign confirms that there is a pedestrian crossing ahead in the direction of travel, before which the restriction from clause 14.6 (c) applies.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking less than 50 m before a pedestrian crossing in a populated area is prohibited.
Overtaking, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules (point 1.10), is passing another vehicle by moving into the oncoming traffic lane. That is, in this situation, the driver of the red car is planning exactly an overtaking maneuver, not just passing within their own lane.
The diagram shows that the movement is taking place in a populated area (characteristic buildings, sidewalks). Ahead, in the direction of travel, a pedestrian crossing is marked with the appropriate road sign, which means this is a place where pedestrians may begin crossing the road at any moment.
According to point 14.6 (c) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, overtaking is prohibited less than 50 meters before a pedestrian crossing in a populated area. The key point here is that the prohibited zone starts 50 meters before the crossing, and within this distance the driver is not allowed to start the overtaking maneuver, because by entering the oncoming lane, they will reduce the distance to the crossing, and will not physically be able to complete the overtaking maneuver with a “reserve” before the crossing.
In the situation shown, the driver is just about to start overtaking, being approximately at the 50-meter mark before the crossing. This means that during the maneuver, they will be closer than the Rules allow, and will also create increased danger, since a pedestrian may step onto the crossing, and overtaking at this moment significantly complicates timely detection of the pedestrian and safe braking.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", since overtaking less than 50 meters before a pedestrian crossing in a populated area is prohibited by point 14.6 (c) of the Traffic Rules, and in this situation the maneuver begins too close to the crossing.