22.4. To prevent the falling and dragging of cargo, injury to accompanying persons, or creating obstacles to road traffic, a driver transporting cargo is required to:
UAЩоб запобігти падінню і волочіння вантажу, травмуванню супроводжуючих осіб або створенню перешкод для дорожнього руху, водій, що перевозить вантаж, зобов'язаний:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during cargo transportation. Unreliably placed or poorly secured cargo can shift, fall, or drag, create a sudden obstacle on the road, cause an accident, and injure other road users or persons accompanying the cargo. That is why the theoretical exam checks not only formal knowledge of the rule, but also the driver's understanding of their responsibility for the consequences of transportation.
The question tests the section of the traffic rules regarding cargo transportation, specifically the requirements of paragraph 22.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. The essence of the rule is that the driver's duty consists of two parts: before departure, it is necessary to make sure the cargo is properly positioned and securely fastened, and during the trip — to continue monitoring the condition of the cargo in order to timely notice any loosening of straps, shifting, or other dangerous changes.
If you choose the option about checking only before starting the trip, it will be incomplete, because during the trip the fastening may loosen due to vibrations, road irregularities, or sudden braking. If you choose the option about monitoring only during the trip, it is also incorrect, since monitoring does not replace the initial check: errors in placement or weak fastening must be detected before starting the trip. Therefore, the correct approach within this exam question on the traffic rules is a combination of both actions: check before departure and continue to monitor during the trip (with quick glances in the mirrors and stopping for repeated checks if necessary).
Clause 22.2
Before starting to drive, the driver is required to check the reliability of the placement and fastening of the cargo, and while driving — to monitor this, in order to prevent it from falling, dragging, injuring accompanying persons, or creating obstacles to traffic.
Application of clause 22.2: the question checks that the driver’s obligation when transporting cargo consists of two actions simultaneously — to check before starting to drive and to monitor during driving, so as not to allow the cargo to fall/drag and to avoid danger or obstacles for other road users.
That is, the correct answer is "Perform both actions," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the driver must both check the fastening/placement of the cargo before starting to drive and monitor it during driving to prevent falling, dragging, and creating danger or obstacles.
When transporting cargo, the driver's responsibility is not just to "load and go." Any shifting, loosening of fastenings, or incorrect placement can lead to the cargo falling or dragging, which creates a danger for other road users and for persons accompanying the cargo.
That is why clause 22.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes two duties for the driver. The first is performed before starting to drive: the driver must make sure that the cargo is properly placed and securely fastened. For example, if the cargo in the body is fixed with straps, they need to be checked before departure; otherwise, even on the first bump, the cargo may shift.
The second duty applies while driving: the driver must continue to monitor the condition of the cargo in order to notice dangerous changes in time. This is done, in particular, through the rearview mirrors (with quick glances), and at the slightest doubt—by stopping in a safe place and rechecking the fastening. Such control is necessary because even well-secured cargo can loosen due to vibrations, braking, or bumps on the road.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Perform both actions," since the Traffic Rules require the driver both to check the reliability of the cargo's placement and fastening before starting to drive, and to monitor it while driving, in order to prevent falling, dragging, or creating obstacles.