20.8. Is it permitted to proceed through the railway crossing in the situation shown in the illustration?
UAЧи дозволено рух через залізничний переїзд у ситуації, зображеній на малюнку?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety at railway crossings — some of the most dangerous sections of the road, where a driver's mistake can have critical consequences. According to the traffic rules, the procedure for passing such places is determined primarily by the signals of the railway crossing traffic light, and only then by other means of traffic organization.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic light signals at railway crossings (clause 8.7.6 a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine) and the general prohibitions on crossing (clause 20.5). If flashing red signals are activated at the crossing, this is a direct prohibitive signal: you must not enter the tracks regardless of whether there is a barrier or not, whether it is lowered or not yet, and even if it seems that no train is visible. This is exactly the situation modeled in theoretical exam tasks to teach drivers to act not "by feeling," but according to the norms of the Traffic Rules.
The option that allows crossing is incorrect because it ignores the legal significance of the flashing red signal: according to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, this is an unequivocal prohibition on crossing. The correct logic for a driver in a real situation is to comply with the requirement to stop and wait for the permissive mode of the signaling; the stopping place is determined by clause 8.10 of the Traffic Rules (before the stop line/sign "Stop Place," and in their absence — before the traffic light, at the crossing — no closer than 10 meters from the first rail).
Clause 8.7.6 a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
To regulate traffic at railway crossings, traffic lights with two red signals or one white-moon and two red signals are used, which have the following meanings: a) flashing red signals prohibit the movement of vehicles through the crossing; b) a flashing white-moon signal indicates that the signaling is working properly and does not prohibit the movement of vehicles. At railway crossings, an audible signal may be activated simultaneously with the prohibitory signal of the traffic light, which additionally informs road users about the prohibition of movement through the crossing.
Clause 20.5 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
Movement through the crossing is prohibited if: a) the crossing attendant gives a prohibition signal — stands facing or with his back to the driver with a baton (red lantern or flag) raised above his head or with arms extended to the sides; b) the barrier is lowered or begins to lower; c) the prohibitory signal of the traffic light or an audible signal is activated, regardless of the presence or position of the barrier; d) a traffic jam has formed beyond the crossing, which will force the driver to stop on the crossing; e) a train (locomotive, trolley) is approaching the crossing within visible distance.
Clause 1.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (term "Railway crossing")
Railway crossing — an intersection of a road with railway tracks at the same level.
Clause 8.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
If a traffic light (except a reversible one) gives a prohibitory signal, drivers must stop before road marking 1.12 (stop line) or before road sign 5.62 "Stop place", and if they are absent — before the traffic light; before a railway crossing — no closer than 10 m to the first rail.
Clause 33.2 — 33 "Road signs", 2 "Priority signs", sign 2.2 "No entry without stopping"
It is prohibited to pass without stopping before road marking 1.12 (stop line), and if it is absent — before the sign; the driver must yield to vehicles moving on the intersecting road (and if there is plate 7.8 — to vehicles moving on the main road).
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, flashing red signals of the crossing traffic light are prohibitory and directly prohibit the movement of vehicles through the railway crossing.
A railway crossing is a place where a road intersects with railway tracks at the same level. Such areas are particularly dangerous, so the procedure for crossing them is strictly regulated and is primarily determined by the signals of the special traffic light at the crossing.
In the image, the railway crossing traffic light is showing red flashing signals. According to clause 8.7.6 (a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, flashing red signals specifically indicate a prohibition on vehicle movement across the crossing. That is, the driver is required to stop and not enter the tracks, even if there is no barrier or it has not yet been lowered.
This is further confirmed by the general requirement: crossing is prohibited when the traffic light shows a prohibitive signal (regardless of the presence or position of the barrier). The reason is simple: the red flashing signal warns of danger and the possible approach of a train, and any attempt to cross at this moment creates a direct risk of collision.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the railway crossing is showing red flashing traffic light signals, which according to clause 8.7.6 (a) of the Traffic Rules prohibit movement across the crossing.