20.26. Under what condition is overtaking allowed at a railway level crossing:
UAЗа якої умови дозволено виконати обгін на залізничному переїзді:
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning road safety in high-risk areas and the correct choice of maneuvers near railway infrastructure. A railway crossing is a section where the situation can change instantly due to the appearance of a train, activation of signaling, or the need for an emergency stop, so the traffic rules establish especially strict restrictions here.
The question tests knowledge of the section on overtaking and passing, specifically the provision of clause 14.6 b, as well as understanding of the term "overtaking" from clause 1.10 (passing with entry into the oncoming lane). According to the Traffic Rules, overtaking is prohibited directly at railway crossings and closer than 100 meters before them, and this prohibition is unconditional and has no exceptions.
That is why options such as "the crossing is regulated" or "the barrier is raised" do not make the maneuver permissible: even in the absence of a train or with the crossing open, entering the oncoming lane for overtaking in this zone violates the requirements of the rules. For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember the practical rule: if you are less than 100 meters from the crossing or already on it, any overtaking as a maneuver involving entry into the oncoming lane is prohibited, regardless of signals, barriers, or the type of crossing.
Clause 14.6 [b]
Overtaking is prohibited: at railway crossings and closer than 100 m before them.
Explanation of application: this rule establishes an unconditional prohibition of overtaking without any exceptions both directly at the railway crossing and when approaching it at a distance of less than 100 m.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking is the passing of one or more vehicles, involving entry into the oncoming traffic lane.
Explanation of application: the question specifically checks the maneuver of "overtaking" as defined in the Traffic Rules, for which clause 14.6 [b] establishes a direct prohibition at railway crossings.
Clause 1.10 (term "Railway crossing")
Railway crossing is a place where a road intersects with railway tracks at the same level.
Explanation of application: the rule in clause 14.6 [b] applies specifically to the section of the road that is a "railway crossing" as defined in the Traffic Rules.
That is, the correct answer is "Overtaking at a railway crossing is prohibited," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking at railway crossings (and closer than 100 m before them) is directly prohibited by clause 14.6 [b] without any conditions under which it would be allowed.
A railway crossing is a place of increased danger, where the traffic situation can change abruptly: the appearance of a train, the activation of a traffic light, the closing of a barrier, or the need to stop before the crossing. In such conditions, any maneuver that requires entering the oncoming lane and precise distance calculation creates an unacceptable risk.
The Traffic Rules directly state that overtaking is prohibited at railway crossings, as well as in the approach zone to them. In particular, clause 14.6, subclause b establishes a ban on overtaking both directly at the crossing and closer than 100 meters before it. That is, the rules leave no exceptions such as “if there is no train” or “if the crossing is open.”
In practice, this means the following: if there is another vehicle moving slowly ahead and there are less than 100 meters to the crossing, you do not have the right to enter the oncoming lane to overtake. Likewise, even if you have already entered the crossing and see a free oncoming lane, overtaking is not allowed, because the crossing itself is an area with an absolute prohibition on this maneuver.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Overtaking at a railway crossing is prohibited," since the Traffic Rules (clause 14.6 b) establish a direct ban on overtaking at the crossing and closer than 100 m before it without any conditions or exceptions.