20.18. Where must the driver of a vehicle stop to give way to an approaching train in the absence of traffic control devices at the railway crossing?
UAДе водій автомобіля повинен зупинити свій транспортний засіб для пропуску поїзда, що наближається, за відсутності на переїзді засобів організації дорожнього руху?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety at railway crossings, where a mistake in the stopping location can lead to a critically dangerous situation. Such traffic rules are often included in the theoretical exam because they test not “logic,” but precise knowledge of the regulatory distance and the ability to act when the driver is not guided by markings or signs.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding movement through railway crossings, specifically the requirements of clause 20.3. According to this clause, the driver must stop before the stop line 1.12, sign 2.2, barrier, or traffic light in such a way as to see the signals, and when there are no traffic control devices at all, a universal rule applies: the stop must be made no closer than the specified distance to the nearest rail. This is exactly the situation modeled by this exam task.
If we compare the options, a distance of 5 m is insufficient: it does not guarantee a safe clearance and leaves a minimal safety margin, therefore it contradicts the requirements of clause 20.3. The value of 10 m corresponds to the direct norm of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine for a situation without signs, markings, barrier, or traffic light. The options of 15 m and 20 m may seem “more cautious,” but in the context of the theoretical exam, they are incorrect, because the traffic rules establish a specific minimum that must be known and applied unequivocally.
Clause 20.3
To allow a passing train, and in other cases when movement across a railway crossing is prohibited, the driver must stop before road marking 1.12 (stop line), road sign 2.2 “No entry without stopping”, a barrier, or a traffic light so as to see the signals, and if there are no traffic control devices — not closer than 10 m to the nearest rail.
This clause directly determines the stopping place at a railway crossing, including in cases where there are no traffic control devices (then the rule “not closer than 10 m to the nearest rail” applies).
Clause 33.3.2 — 33 “Road signs”, 3 “Priority signs”, sign 2.2 “No entry without stopping”
Sign 2.2 “No entry without stopping” prohibits passing without stopping before the stop line, and if it is absent — before this sign.
Application in this question: clause 20.3 states that if sign 2.2 is present, the driver stops before it (or before the stop line), but in the scenario described, these means are absent, so the driver follows the “10 m to the rail” rule.
Clause 34.1.12 — 34 “Road markings”, 1 “Horizontal markings”, marking 1.12 (stop line)
Marking 1.12 (stop line) indicates the place where the driver must stop if a stop is required (in particular, before a traffic light or at the requirement of sign 2.2).
Application in this question: clause 20.3 establishes the priority of the stopping place “before marking 1.12” if it exists; if it is absent at the crossing, the driver is required to stop not closer than 10 m to the nearest rail.
Thus, the correct answer is “10 m before the nearest rail,” given that according to the definition in clause 20.3 of the Traffic Rules, it is directly established: if there are no traffic control devices at the crossing, the stop must be made not closer than 10 m to the nearest rail.
When approaching a railway crossing, the driver must act in such a way as not to create danger for the movement of the train and not to end up on the tracks at the moment of its approach. Therefore, the Rules establish a clear stopping place when movement across the crossing must be stopped to allow the train to pass.
According to paragraph 20.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, in case movement across the crossing is prohibited, the driver stops before designated reference points: the stop line, the sign "No entry without stopping", the barrier, or before the traffic light in such a way as to have a clear view of its signals. This is necessary so that the stop is clear, predictable, and safe.
However, the question specifies a key condition: there are no traffic control devices at the crossing. That is, there is no stop line, no sign 2.2, no barrier, and no traffic light to determine the stopping place. In such a situation, the Traffic Rules establish a universal rule: you must stop at a safe distance from the track so as not to approach the train's clearance and to have a safety margin.
That is why paragraph 20.3 directly provides: in the absence of any traffic control devices, the driver must stop no closer than 10 meters from the nearest rail. This is the correct reference point for stopping when there are no signs or markings.
Therefore, the correct answer is "10 meters before the nearest rail," since in the absence of signs, markings, a barrier, or a traffic light, paragraph 20.3 of the Traffic Rules requires stopping no closer than 10 meters from the nearest rail to safely allow the train to pass.