15.6. Which drivers are violating the stopping rules?
UAХто з водіїв порушує правила зупинки?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe stopping near pedestrian crossings. Such situations directly affect the visibility of pedestrians and drivers, as well as the risk of collision: a car or motorcycle left too close to the "zebra" blocks the view and forces other road users to make dangerous maneuvers. That is why the traffic rules set clear restrictions on stopping near crossings, and this is often checked in the theoretical exam.
The question 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 (the only exception is to give way in traffic). In the depicted situation, the road is in a populated area with two-way traffic and dashed markings, so stopping is generally allowed both on the right and left sides (in line with clauses 15.2 and 15.3), but the decisive factor is compliance with the 10-meter "zone" near the crossing.
If you assess the position of vehicles relative to the crossing, violations are committed by those who stopped closer than 10 meters to it from either side, including immediately after the crossing. That is why options stating "all drivers" or "no one is violating" are incorrect: some vehicles stopped outside the prohibited area. Also incorrect is the option that limits the violators to only two participants, since according to rule 15.9 (d), the critical factor is the 10-meter distance, and in this task, several stops fall within the prohibited zone.
The practical takeaway for preparing for the theoretical exam is simple: always "count off" 10 meters to the pedestrian crossing in both directions and remember that the prohibition applies equally both before the "zebra" and immediately after it, regardless of which side of the road stopping is allowed in a populated area. This rule is most often "overlooked" precisely because of the mistaken belief that a few meters to the crossing is supposedly enough, but the Traffic Rules of Ukraine require a strict distance.
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.
Clause 15.2 (Section 15 "Stopping and Parking")
If there are no specially designated places or shoulders, or if stopping or parking there is impossible, they are allowed near the right edge of the carriageway (as far to the right as possible so as not to obstruct other road users).
Application to the question: this clause explains the general method of stopping (near the right edge), but in this task, compliance with/prohibition of the restriction from clause 15.9 (d) regarding the distance to the pedestrian crossing is decisive.
Clause 15.3 (Section 15 "Stopping and Parking")
In populated areas, stopping and parking of vehicles are allowed on the left side of the road that has one lane in each direction (without tram tracks in the middle) and is not divided by marking 1.1, as well as on the left side of a one-way road.
Application to the question: this clause confirms that in a populated area on such a road, stopping on the left side is generally possible, but it is still prohibited in the area of a pedestrian crossing and within 10 m of it according to clause 15.9 (d).
That is, the correct answer is "Drivers of the green, blue cars and the motorcycle," given that by the definition of the Traffic Rules, stopping is prohibited on a pedestrian crossing and within 10 m of it on both sides (clause 15.9 (d)), and the mentioned vehicles are located in this prohibited zone.
In this task, you need to assess the stopping position relative to the pedestrian crossing. The key rule is contained in clause 15.9 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: stopping is prohibited directly on a pedestrian crossing and closer than 10 meters to it on both sides, unless the driver has stopped involuntarily to yield the right of way.
The road is depicted within a populated area, traffic is two-way, and the lanes are separated by a dashed line. This means that in such a situation, stopping is generally allowed on both the right and left sides, but only if restrictions are not violated, particularly regarding the pedestrian crossing.
Let’s consider the positions of the vehicles in turn. The white car stopped before the pedestrian crossing, but at a distance that does not enter the 10-meter prohibited zone. That is, it is still before the boundary where stopping would already be forbidden.
The green car stopped before the pedestrian crossing closer than the permitted 10 meters. This is a typical mistake: it seems there is still some distance to the crossing, but the rule specifically refers to the 10-meter boundary, and the green car is within this zone. Therefore, it violates clause 15.9 (d).
The blue car has already passed the pedestrian crossing but stopped immediately after it, also closer than 10 meters. The prohibition applies on both sides of the crossing, so it does not matter whether the stop is before or after the crossing: if it is less than 10 meters, it is a violation.
The motorcycle stopped on the left side of the road, actually right in front of the pedestrian crossing. Although in a populated area stopping on the left is allowed in such a road situation, it is still prohibited within 10 meters of the crossing. Therefore, the motorcyclist also violates clause 15.9 (d).
The yellow car is positioned at a distance exceeding 10 meters from the pedestrian crossing, so according to this criterion, it stopped correctly.
Thus, the correct answer is "Drivers of the green, blue cars and the motorcycle," since these vehicles stopped on the pedestrian crossing or closer than 10 meters to it, which is prohibited by clause 15.9 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.