3.3. When approaching a stationary vehicle with a blue flashing beacon that is standing on the shoulder (near the carriageway) or on the carriageway, the driver must:
UAНаближаючись до нерухомого автомобіля з увімкненим проблисковим маячком синього кольору, що стоїть на узбіччі (біля проїзної частини) або на проїзній частині, водій повинен:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in situations where police or other services are working near or on the roadway. A stationary service vehicle with a blue flashing beacon often indicates the processing of a traffic accident, an inspection, temporary traffic restrictions, or the presence of people on the road. Therefore, the main goal of the traffic rules requirements is to reduce the risk of collision and give the driver time to respond appropriately.
In the theoretical exam, this question checks knowledge of the section "Special Signals" (paragraph 3.5 of the Traffic Rules) and the ability to act correctly when approaching a vehicle with an activated blue beacon. According to the rules, the driver must reduce speed to 40 km/h and be prepared to comply with the lawful instruction of the traffic controller: if a stop signal is given, stop and continue driving only with permission. This is not a "formality," but a practical algorithm that protects service workers and all road users in a hazardous area.
The analysis of answer options comes down to the fact that continuing to drive without reducing speed is dangerous and contradicts paragraph 3.5, as the driver may not have time to notice the traffic controller, cones, blocked lane, or people on the roadway. An unconditional stop "to wait for a signal" is also not universally correct: the rules require reducing speed to 40 km/h, and stopping occurs only if the controller gives the appropriate signal. In practice, this means: reduce speed, carefully monitor the situation, stop in a permitted place if necessary, and act according to the police officer's instructions.
Clause 3.5
"When approaching a stationary vehicle with a blue flashing beacon and a special sound signal (or without a special sound signal) that is standing on the roadside (near the carriageway) or on the carriageway, the driver must reduce speed to 40 km/h and, if signaled by the traffic controller, stop. Further movement is allowed only with the permission of the controller."
This clause directly establishes the driver's obligation to reduce speed to 40 km/h when approaching such a stationary vehicle with a blue flashing beacon, and also provides for stopping at the request of the controller and continuing to move only with their permission.
That is, the correct answer is "Reduce speed to 40 km/h and, if signaled by the controller, stop," given that according to the definition of Clause 3.5 of the Traffic Rules, the driver is directly required to perform exactly these actions when approaching a stationary vehicle with a blue flashing beacon.
Imagine the situation: you are driving on the road and ahead you see a stationary vehicle with a blue flashing beacon, which is parked on the roadside near the carriageway or directly on the carriageway. Such a beacon usually means that police or other services are working in this area, and there may be people, service equipment, or temporary traffic restrictions nearby.
That is why clause 3.5 of the Traffic Rules establishes a clear algorithm of actions for the driver: when approaching such a vehicle, you must reduce your speed to 40 km/h. This is not done “for formality’s sake,” but to give you enough time to react: a police officer may suddenly appear on the carriageway, cones may be set up, a lane may be blocked, or an incident may be being processed.
Next, the driver is required to be ready to comply with the lawful instructions of the traffic controller. If a police officer (controller) gives a stop signal, you must stop and not continue driving until you are given permission to proceed. That is, the mere presence of a blue beacon is not enough to always require you to stop, but it is enough to require you to reduce your speed, and if signaled by the controller—to stop.
In practice, it looks like this: you reduce your speed to 40 km/h, carefully pass the section, monitoring the situation, and if you see that a police officer is signaling you to stop—you stop in a permitted place and wait for further instructions.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Reduce speed to 40 km/h and, if signaled by the controller, stop," since clause 3.5 of the Traffic Rules requires you, when approaching a stationary vehicle with a blue beacon, to reduce speed to 40 km/h and comply with the controller’s stop requirement if such a signal is given.