15.95. Did the driver of the black vehicle violate the stopping rules?
UAЧи порушив водій чорного автомобіля правила зупинки?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety near pedestrian crossings and the correct stopping of a vehicle. Such situations are critical for visibility: a car left too close to a "zebra crossing" can block drivers' view of a pedestrian, and make it harder for pedestrians to assess the traffic situation. That is why the traffic rules set strict restrictions on stopping in the area of crossings, and this is regularly checked in the theoretical exam.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules on stopping and parking, in particular the application of clause 15.9 (d). According to it, stopping is prohibited on pedestrian crossings and closer than 10 meters from them on both sides, and an exception is possible only when yielding the right of way (for example, when you need to let pedestrians who are already crossing or have clearly started to cross). If the stop is made "just because" in this zone, even at the very edge of the carriageway, it is considered a violation regardless of whether it was a short stop or parking.
The explanation of the answer options in this exam question comes down to simple logic: the statement about the absence of a violation is possible only when the car stopped out of necessity to yield the right of way. If there are no pedestrians at the crossing who need to be let through, or people nearby are not showing intent to cross, there are no grounds to apply the exception, and stopping closer than 10 meters to the crossing falls under the prohibition of clause 15.9 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.
The practical benefit of this topic for the theoretical exam and real driving is that the driver must not only "see the sign or marking," but also correctly assess the restricted area around the pedestrian crossing. Observing the 10-meter distance helps maintain visibility and reduces the risk of a pedestrian suddenly appearing from behind a parked or stopped car, which is one of the most common causes of dangerous situations in the city.
Clause 15.9 [g]
Stopping is prohibited: on pedestrian crossings and within 10 m of them on both sides, except in cases of yielding the right of way.
Explanation of application: if a vehicle stops on a pedestrian crossing or at a distance of less than 10 m before/after it (in both directions), this is a violation, except when the stop is due to the need to yield the right of way (for example, to pedestrians crossing).
Clause 1.10 (term "Stopping")
Stopping — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or for a longer period if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, or to fulfill the requirements of these Rules.
Clause 1.10 (term "Parking")
Parking — cessation of movement of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes for reasons not related to boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo.
Clause 1.10 (term "Pedestrian crossing")
Pedestrian crossing — a section of the roadway or an engineering structure intended for pedestrian movement across the road. Pedestrian crossings are marked by road signs and/or road markings.
Thus, the correct answer is "Yes.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, stopping on a pedestrian crossing or closer than 10 m to it (in the absence of the need to yield the right of way) is prohibited by clause 15.9 [g].
When stopping, the driver must choose a place so as not to create danger and not to worsen visibility for other road users. Especially strict requirements apply near pedestrian crossings, because drivers must be able to see a pedestrian in time, and the pedestrian must be clearly visible from the road.
According to clause 15.9 (d) of the Traffic Rules, stopping is prohibited directly on a pedestrian crossing and closer than 10 meters to it on both sides. An exception is allowed only when the driver is forced to stop to give way, for example, to let pedestrians who are already crossing or have clearly started to cross.
In this situation, the black car stopped almost in front of the crossing, that is, in the zone where stopping is prohibited. At the same time, there are no pedestrians on the crossing who need to be let through, and the people nearby are not showing any intention to cross the road. Therefore, there are no grounds to apply the exception "to give way".
Such a stop also blocks the view of the approach to the crossing: it becomes harder for approaching drivers to notice a possible pedestrian, and for pedestrians to assess the road situation. That is why the rules prohibit stopping closer than 10 meters from the crossing, except in the case of a forced stop to give way.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes.", since the driver stopped on/closer than 10 meters to the pedestrian crossing without the need to give way, which is prohibited by clause 15.9 (d) of the Traffic Rules.