15.31. Which of the drivers, when stopping, violates the Traffic Rules?
UAХто з водіїв, виконуючи зупинку, порушує Правила дорожнього руху?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe execution of stopping near places where public transport operates. Such situations often occur in the city: a driver "for a minute" stops next to a bus stop, blocks the access for route vehicles, and creates a danger for passengers who step onto the roadway. Therefore, the traffic rules strictly regulate where stopping is allowed and where it is prohibited.
The question tests knowledge of Section 15 "Stopping and Parking," in particular clause 15.9(g) of the Traffic Rules, which prohibits stopping closer than 30 meters from a boarding platform for route vehicles, and if there is no platform — closer than 30 meters from the bus stop sign on both sides. In the diagram, the presence of a stop is confirmed by informational signs 5.41.1 "Bus Stop" and 5.41.2 "End of Bus Stop" (and there may also be marking 1.17). It is the driver of the red car who violates the 30-meter zone requirement by stopping too close to the stop, while the yellow car stops outside this restriction on the opposite side and the scenario does not show any conditions that would make its stop unlawful (for example, that would prevent oncoming traffic from passing).
For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember: "stopping" as defined by the Traffic Rules (clause 1.10) is not only prolonged parking, but also a short halt for boarding/alighting. That is, even a brief stop near a route vehicle stop falls under the prohibitions of Section 15, and a mistake in such a place can lead not only to a fine, but also to real danger for passengers and obstacles for the movement of the bus.
Clause 1.10 (term "Stop")
"Stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more, if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, fulfilling the requirements of these Rules (yielding, complying with the requirements of a traffic controller, traffic light signals, etc.)."
Clause 15.9 g) (Section 15 "Stopping and Parking")
"Stopping is prohibited: closer than 30 m from boarding platforms for route vehicles, and if there are none — closer than 30 m from the road sign indicating such a stop on both sides."
Brief application: the driver is not allowed to stop within 30 m before/after a boarding platform (or, in its absence, before/after the route vehicle stop sign). This is the requirement violated by the driver of the red car, who stopped too close to the route vehicle stop.
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.41.1 "Bus Stop Point"
Sign 5.41.1 "Bus Stop Point".
Brief application: this sign marks the stop point for route vehicles, from which (in the absence of a boarding platform) the prohibited stopping zone according to clause 15.9 g) is measured.
Clause 33.5.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.41.2 "End of Bus Stop Point"
Sign 5.41.2 "End of Bus Stop Point".
Brief application: marks the end of the bus stop point section; in the task, it helps identify the boundaries of the stop, from which the restriction of clause 15.9 g) applies.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road Markings", 1 "Horizontal Markings", marking 1.17
Marking 1.17 (horizontal).
Brief application: indicates the location of the route vehicle stop (stop zone), which reinforces the prohibition from clause 15.9 g) regarding stopping closer than 30 m from the boarding platform/marked stop location.
Thus, the correct answer is "The driver of the red car.", since according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the stop was made closer than 30 m to the boarding platform (route vehicle stop point), which is directly prohibited by clause 15.9 g) of the Traffic Rules.
When solving this question, it is important to first recall that a "stop" according to the Traffic Rules is the cessation of movement of a vehicle for a short time (up to 5 minutes or longer if necessary, for example, for boarding/alighting passengers or fulfilling the requirements of the Rules). That is, even a short "stop for a minute" is considered a stop and falls under all the prohibitions of section 15.
Next, we evaluate the place where the drivers are stopping. The diagram shows a bus stop area: there is a boarding platform, and its boundaries are additionally marked with informational signs "Bus stop point" at the beginning and "End of bus stop point" at the end. This means that we are looking at the area designated for route vehicles to stop.
According to paragraph 15.9 (g) of the Traffic Rules, stopping is prohibited closer than 30 meters from the boarding platforms of route vehicle stops, and if there is no platform—closer than 30 meters from the sign of such a stop. The purpose of this rule is simple: to ensure that the bus can safely approach the stop, allow passengers to board/alight, and leave without obstacles. If a passenger car stops in this area or too close to it, it effectively blocks the operation of the stop and creates a danger for passengers and other drivers.
In this situation, the red car stopped within the prohibited area, that is, it did not maintain the required distance from the boarding platform (bus stop). This is a violation of paragraph 15.9 (g) of the Traffic Rules.
At the same time, the yellow car stopped on the opposite side of the road near its right edge of the carriageway and is not within the prohibited area of the route vehicle stop. In this scenario, there are no circumstances shown that would prevent oncoming traffic or create another prohibition for its stop, so there is no violation on its part.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The driver of the red car," as he stopped closer than 30 meters from the boarding platform (route vehicle stop), which is prohibited by paragraph 15.9 (g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.