15.4. Which of the drivers, when stopping, violated the Traffic Rules?
UAХто з водіїв, виконуючи зупинку, порушив Правила дорожнього руху?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about pedestrian safety and the correct choice of a stopping place near a pedestrian crossing. In real traffic, stopping in the “wrong” zone creates a major danger: it impairs visibility between drivers and pedestrians, provokes the sudden appearance of a person from behind a parked car, and increases the risk of a collision. That is why such situations often appear on the theoretical exam and require attention to distances and exceptions.
The task tests knowledge of Section 15 “Stopping and Parking,” specifically clause 15.9 (d) of the Traffic Rules: stopping is prohibited on pedestrian crossings and within 10 meters of them on both sides, except in cases of yielding the right of way. In this situation, one vehicle stopped directly on the crossing, and the others are located too close to it, and the condition “stopped to let pedestrians pass” is not specified. Therefore, the conclusion is made according to the general rule: each of the drivers stopped in a prohibited place (and if it is parking, then it is also prohibited according to the logic of Section 15).
The analysis of answer options in this exam question comes down to one criterion: whether the stop is on the crossing or within 10 meters of it without a confirmed exception. The statements “only the motorcycle” or “only two violated” do not take into account that both cars also ended up in the prohibited 10-meter zone, and the motorcycle additionally blocks the pedestrian crossing itself, making it harder for pedestrians to cross. The practical conclusion for preparing for the theoretical exam: always control the boundaries of the crossing and keep at least a 10-meter distance before and after it, and apply the exception only when it directly follows from the conditions of the situation.
Clause 15.9 (d) (Section 15 "Stopping and Parking")
Stopping is prohibited: (d) on pedestrian crossings and within 10 m of them on both sides, except in cases of giving way.
Application explanation: in the situation from the exam question, the stop (or actual cessation of movement) is made either directly on the pedestrian crossing or less than 10 m before/after it, and the condition of "giving way" as an exception is not specified (and one vehicle even blocks the crossing), therefore each of the drivers violates the requirements of this clause.
Clause 15.10 (a) (Section 15 "Stopping and Parking")
Parking is prohibited: (a) in places where stopping is prohibited.
Application explanation: if the depicted vehicles have not simply "stopped" but have actually parked, the prohibition also applies, since parking in a place where stopping is prohibited (in particular, under clause 15.9 (d)) is directly prohibited.
Clause 1.10 (term "Stopping")
Stopping — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or for a longer time if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, or to comply with the requirements of these Rules.
Application explanation: the question directly concerns "stopping", so compliance with prohibitions specifically for stopping is assessed (and, if necessary, for parking under clause 15.10 (a)).
Clause 1.10 (term "Parking")
Parking — cessation of movement of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes for reasons not related to the need to comply with the requirements of these Rules, boarding (alighting) passengers, or loading (unloading) cargo.
Application explanation: even if certain vehicles in the illustration are considered parked, this does not change the conclusion — the prohibition applies under clause 15.10 (a) in conjunction with clause 15.9 (d).
Clause 1.10 (term "Pedestrian crossing")
Pedestrian crossing — a section of the carriageway or an engineering structure intended for pedestrian movement across the road. Pedestrian crossings are marked by road signs and/or road markings. In the absence of markings, the boundaries of the pedestrian crossing are determined by the distance between road signs (or by imaginary lines connecting them), and at intersections — by the width of sidewalks or roadsides.
Application explanation: it is precisely to this section and to the 10-meter zone before/after it that the stopping prohibition under clause 15.9 (d) applies.
Thus, the correct answer is "All drivers.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, stopping (as well as parking) is prohibited on a pedestrian crossing and within 10 m of it on both sides (except in the case of giving way, which is not specified in the task).
In this task, you need to evaluate specifically the stopping of vehicles in the locations shown. That is, we assume that the drivers have already stopped where they are depicted, and we check whether the Rules allow this.
Clause 15.9 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a clear prohibition: stopping is not allowed directly on a pedestrian crossing, as well as closer than 10 meters to it from either side. The only exception is when a driver is forced to stop to give way to pedestrians. If there is no such reason, stopping in this zone is a violation.
The motorcyclist obviously violated the Rules because he stopped directly on the pedestrian crossing. Such a stop is not only prohibited, but also actually blocks the path for pedestrians and worsens mutual visibility between pedestrians and drivers.
The drivers of the blue and purple cars also violated clause 15.9 (d), since their cars are stopped too close to the pedestrian crossing, that is, within the prohibited 10 meters. This is dangerous because a vehicle near the crossing blocks the view: other drivers may notice a pedestrian too late, and the pedestrian may not see the approaching vehicle.
Sometimes students assume that one of the drivers might have stopped to let pedestrians pass, and then this would be allowed as an exception. But the condition does not specify this, and the question directly concerns the stop as a fact. Therefore, there are no grounds to apply the exception "to give way to pedestrians," and we evaluate the situation according to the general prohibition rule.
Thus, the correct answer is "All drivers," since stopping on a pedestrian crossing and closer than 10 meters from it (in the absence of the need to give way to pedestrians) is prohibited by clause 15.9 (d) of the Traffic Rules, and all the depicted drivers have stopped precisely in such prohibited places.