23.16. With which of the listed malfunctions is towing of vehicles with a flexible coupling prohibited?
UAЗ якими із перерахованих несправностей заборонене буксирування транспортних засобів на гнучкому зчепленні?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during towing, when one vehicle pulls another using a rope. In real-world conditions, towing is often associated with increased risks of collisions, veering off course, or loss of control, which is why the traffic rules set strict requirements for the technical condition of the towed vehicle. Such knowledge is directly necessary for the theoretical exam, as it tests understanding not only of the wording but also the logic of safe actions.
The question checks the section of the Traffic Rules on towing (point 23.4), which defines the conditions for using a flexible coupling. The essence of the rule is simple: during towing with a rope, the towed vehicle must have both a functioning braking system and steering. This means that towing with a flexible coupling is prohibited when these critically important systems are not working, because the driver of the towed vehicle must simultaneously maintain direction and reduce speed in time, keeping a safe distance from the towing vehicle.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the requirements of point 23.4: certain malfunctions such as those of the fuel system or suspension are not in themselves a direct reason for prohibiting towing with a flexible coupling, since the Traffic Rules do not specify them as determining conditions in this point. Instead, malfunctions affecting controllability and the ability to stop are critical: without working brakes, the towed vehicle may "catch up" with the towing vehicle during braking, and without functional steering, the driver will not be able to follow the trajectory, especially in turns. That is why, in the format of this exam question, the correct answer is the one that indicates malfunction of both the braking system and steering as the condition for prohibiting towing with a flexible coupling.
Clause 23.4
When towing a motor vehicle with a flexible coupling, the towed vehicle must have a functioning and operational service braking system and steering; when using a rigid coupling, only the steering must be operational.
This clause directly establishes a mandatory condition for safe towing: when towing with a flexible coupling (rope), the towed vehicle must simultaneously have both a functioning service braking system and steering; if either of these is not operational, such towing is prohibited.
Therefore, the correct answer is "With a faulty braking system and steering," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, during towing with a flexible coupling, the towed vehicle must have both the service braking system and steering functioning and operational.
When towing with a flexible coupling (that is, with a tow rope), the towed vehicle actually moves as a separate road user: it rolls behind the towing vehicle, but its driver must constantly control the direction and, if necessary, slow down.
That is why point 23.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a clear requirement: when towing with a flexible coupling, two systems must be functioning properly in the towed vehicle — the service brakes and the steering system. This is logical from a safety perspective: without steering, the driver will not be able to keep the car in the lane or make a turn, and without service brakes, they will not be able to reduce speed in time and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Imagine a situation at an intersection or during sudden braking by the towing vehicle: if the towed car has faulty brakes, it will "catch up" with the towing vehicle and may crash into it. If the steering system is faulty, the driver will not be able to follow the trajectory of the towing vehicle (for example, in a turn), and the car may enter the oncoming lane or the roadside. Therefore, such malfunctions make towing with a rope dangerous and prohibited.
Thus, the correct answer is "With faulty brake system and steering system," because according to point 23.4 of the Traffic Rules, when towing with a flexible coupling, the towed vehicle must have working service brakes and steering.