20.3. Is it allowed in this situation to drive across the level crossing in two lanes?
UAЧи дозволено в цій ситуації рух через переїзд у два ряди?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning safety at railway crossings, where any mistake in lane organization can lead to side collisions or track blockage. Space at crossings is often limited, and maneuvers between vehicles are dangerous, so the traffic rules set clear requirements: how exactly the flow should be formed and in what order vehicles should cross the tracks.
The question tests knowledge of the PDR section on driving through railway crossings, specifically point 20.4. Its essence is simple: if there are no road markings or traffic signs before the crossing that determine the number of lanes, vehicles must cross the railway only in a single lane. That is, the width of the carriageway "by eye" does not give the right to drive parallel to two cars unless it is permitted by markings or appropriate signs.
Analysis of the options in this theoretical exam: the statement about prohibition is correct precisely because of the absence of markings that define the lanes through the crossing. The option "allowed in any case" contradicts point 20.4 and ignores the PDR requirements regarding lane discipline. The wording "allowed if it does not create an obstacle" is also incorrect, because in this case, it is not the driver's subjective judgment that applies, but a direct rule: without markings or signs, crossing is allowed only in a single lane, regardless of whether it seems safe.
Clause 20.4
If there are no road markings or road signs before the crossing that determine the number of traffic lanes, the movement of vehicles through the crossing is allowed only in a single line.
Explanation of application: in the absence of markings or signs before a railway crossing that directly specify the number of lanes/rows, drivers must cross the crossing sequentially, in a single line, regardless of the width of the carriageway.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway, marked or unmarked with road markings, which is wide enough for the movement of one row of vehicles.
Explanation of application: the question about "movement in two rows" actually concerns simultaneous movement in two lanes/two rows; according to the rules for crossings, such "row movement" is allowed only when it is determined by markings or signs, otherwise — only a single line (clause 20.4).
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, in the absence of markings or signs before the crossing that determine the number of traffic lanes, it is allowed to cross the crossing only in a single line.
When approaching a railway crossing, the driver must be guided not only by the width of the roadway, but also by whether the number of traffic lanes is defined before the crossing. It is this factor that determines whether it is possible to cross the railway in parallel with another vehicle.
Clause 20.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes the following rule: if there are neither road markings nor road signs indicating the number of lanes before the crossing, vehicles must cross the railway only in a single line. That is, in the absence of clear indications, the "number of lanes" at the crossing is not determined by eye, even if there visually appears to be enough space for two cars.
In this situation, there are no markings before the crossing that would allow for the formation of two rows (neither lane markings nor signs indicating lane movement). Therefore, all drivers must line up in a single column and cross the tracks one after another. This is necessary to avoid dangerous proximity of vehicles in the narrow section of the crossing, where any "parallel" movement may lead to a side collision.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since in the absence of markings or signs indicating the number of lanes before the crossing, the Traffic Rules require crossing only in a single line.