18.9. How should you act in a situation when a traffic jam has formed after a pedestrian crossing?
UAЯк ви повинні вчинити в ситуації, коли за пішохідним переходом утворився затор?
Question without image
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's ability to act safely in conditions of heavy traffic when a traffic jam forms ahead. Such situations often occur in cities and directly affect pedestrian safety: if a car blocks the "zebra crossing," people are forced to go around it on the roadway, which creates accident risks and conflicts in traffic.
The question relates to the topic of the rules for passing pedestrian crossings and the requirements prohibiting entry onto them in case of a traffic jam (the section of the Traffic Rules on movement through pedestrian crossings). The key regulation here is clause 18.6 of the traffic rules: you must not enter the crossing if there is no space beyond it and the driver would be forced to stop on the markings. Additionally, this logic is supported by clause 15.9, which prohibits stopping on pedestrian crossings (except when yielding to pedestrians), and a similar principle for intersections is established in clause 16.4. Therefore, the correct action in such conditions is to leave the crossing clear, stopping before it and waiting until there is enough space ahead.
The analysis of options in this theoretical exam is simple: the correct decision is to stop before the crossing, as it directly complies with clause 18.6 and does not block pedestrian movement. Both options involving stopping on the "zebra crossing" are incorrect: "leaving space for passage" does not cancel the prohibition on creating an obstacle on the crossing, and relying on the fact that "there are no pedestrians on it" also does not work — the crossing must always be clear, as pedestrians may appear at any moment, and blocking the crossing itself is a violation and a source of danger.
Clause 18.6
It is prohibited to enter a pedestrian crossing if there is a traffic jam beyond it that will force the driver to stop on this crossing.
Clause 15.9 (stopping is prohibited)
Stopping is prohibited: on pedestrian crossings and within 10 m of them on both sides, except in cases where stopping is performed to give way to pedestrians.
Clause 16.4
It is prohibited to enter an intersection if there is a traffic jam ahead beyond it that will force the driver to stop at the intersection.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Stop before the pedestrian crossing," given that, according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, it is prohibited to enter a pedestrian crossing if a jam beyond it will force you to stop on the crossing, and stopping on a pedestrian crossing is prohibited.
Imagine you are approaching a pedestrian crossing, but you see that immediately after it, the traffic is tightly packed and there is no space for your car beyond the crossing. If you continue driving, you will be forced to stop right on the “zebra” crossing.
Clause 18.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine sets a clear requirement: you must not drive onto a pedestrian crossing if, due to a traffic jam beyond it, you will be forced to stop on the crossing itself. The logic of the rule is simple: the pedestrian crossing must remain clear so that pedestrians can cross the roadway safely and without obstacles.
In practice, this means the following: even if the traffic light allows movement or it seems there is a “chance to squeeze through,” you must assess whether you can fully cross the crossing and stop only after it, without blocking the markings. If there is no space, the only correct action is to stop before the crossing and wait until the traffic jam clears and enough space appears.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Stop before the pedestrian crossing," since the Traffic Rules prohibit entering the crossing when a jam beyond it would force you to stop on the “zebra” and thus block pedestrian movement.