31.11. In the presence of which malfunction is further movement of the vehicle prohibited during rain or snowfall?
UAЗа наявності якої несправності заборонено подальший рух на транспортному засобі під час дощу або снігопаду?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the technical condition of a vehicle and road safety in challenging weather conditions. During rain or snowfall, visibility directly depends on the operation of the windshield wipers: if the driver cannot see road markings, pedestrians, traffic signals, or the actions of other participants, the risk of an accident increases sharply. That is why the traffic rules specifically highlight malfunctions that require not just refraining from "operating" the vehicle, but immediately stopping the trip.
The question tests knowledge of Section 31 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment," specifically clause 31.6, which lists cases when further movement is prohibited. The key requirement is formulated specifically for precipitation: during rain or snowfall, further movement is prohibited if the wiper on the steering wheel side is not working. This difference in wording is often included in the theoretical exam to check attentiveness to the terms "operation" and "further movement."
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that the general wording about "wipers operating in the prescribed mode" is not a rule that directly applies to precipitation and the prohibition of further movement. The option about faulty windshield washers is also important for safety, but it mainly concerns technical requirements (section 31, particularly 31.4), and not a direct prohibition on continuing to drive specifically during rain or snowfall. Instead, the requirement about a non-functioning wiper on the steering wheel side literally corresponds to clause 31.6 and the logic of the rule: visibility from the driver's workplace is critical, so in case of such a malfunction, you must stop and fix the problem or arrange for towing/evacuation.
Clause 31.6 (31 "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment")
Further movement of vehicles is prohibited if: a) the service braking system or steering does not allow the driver to stop the vehicle or perform a maneuver while driving at minimum speed; b) at night or in conditions of insufficient visibility, the headlamps or rear position lamps are not lit; c) during rain or snowfall, the windshield wiper on the side of the steering wheel does not work; d) the coupling device of a road train is damaged.
This clause directly establishes the prohibition of further movement specifically in conditions of rain or snowfall if the windshield wiper on the side of the steering wheel does not work.
Clause 31.4.4 (31 "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment", "Windshield wipers and washers")
Windshield wipers and washers: a) the windshield wipers provided by the vehicle's design do not work; b) the windshield washers provided by the vehicle's design do not work.
This clause concerns the technical serviceability of windshield wipers/washers as a requirement for the technical condition of the vehicle, but the specific prohibition of further movement during precipitation is formulated in clause 31.6 (subclause "c").
Therefore, the correct answer is "Faulty windshield wiper on the side of the steering wheel," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 31.6 (subclause "c") directly prohibits further movement during rain or snowfall if the windshield wiper on the side of the steering wheel does not work.
In this question, it is important to pay attention to the wording: it is not about a general prohibition on operating the vehicle, but specifically about the prohibition of further movement during rain or snowfall. That is, the situation is meant when you are already driving and a malfunction occurs that makes it dangerous to continue the trip.
The answer comes directly from Section 31 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, which sets the requirements for the technical condition of vehicles. Clause 31.6 defines the list of malfunctions for which further movement is prohibited. Among them, a separate condition is specified for rain or snowfall: if the windshield wiper on the steering wheel side is not working, you may not continue driving.
The logic of the rule is simple: in rain or snow, visibility depends on whether the driver can clear their part of the windshield. If the wiper on the driver's side is not working, drops or snow quickly block the view, and the driver can no longer fully control the traffic situation: they cannot see the markings, pedestrians, traffic light signals, or the maneuvers of other vehicles. In such a situation, the risk of an accident increases sharply, so the Traffic Rules require stopping further movement.
At the same time, a malfunction of the passenger-side wiper does not fall under this prohibition on further movement, because the key factor is the driver's ability to see the road. That is why the rule is formulated not generally about all wipers, but specifically about the side where the steering wheel is located.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Malfunctioning windshield wiper on the steering wheel side," because according to clause 31.6 of the Traffic Rules, during rain or snowfall, a malfunction of the driver's wiper deprives the driver of visibility, and therefore further movement is prohibited.