33.1.75. Which of the following road signs is installed before sections of roads with potholes or subsidence of the road surface?
UAЯкий з наведених дорожніх знаків встановлюється перед ділянками доріг з вибоїнами чи просіданням дорожнього покриття?
This exam question focuses on road safety and the ability to recognize warning road signs in advance. Surface defects such as potholes and subsidence are dangerous because they can cause loss of control, damage to wheels or suspension, especially at speed. That is why the traffic rules require drivers to be warned with specific signs so that they have time to reduce speed and choose a safe trajectory.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine "Road Signs," specifically Group 1 "Warning Signs" and the meaning of sign 1.12 "Pothole." In the context of the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that this sign is installed before a section of road with potholes or subsidence on the carriageway (usually 150–300 m before the section outside populated areas and 50–100 m within populated areas), and often has a temporary nature for the period of repair work or until the defect is eliminated.
The analysis of the options comes down to distinguishing between similar warning signs: "Uneven Road" warns of waviness, bulges, or swelling, i.e., general unevenness without emphasis on potholes; "Hill" refers to humps or sharp rises/joints of structures, not local surface failures; "Road Works" signals ongoing work, but does not describe a specific surface defect. Therefore, the correct option is the one corresponding to sign 1.12 "Pothole," as it directly indicates the danger from potholes and subsidence, which is exactly what this exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is testing.
Clause 33.1 — 33 “Road Signs”, 1 “Warning Signs”, sign 1.12 “Pothole”
“Sign 1.12 ‘Pothole’ is installed before a section of road with potholes or subsidence of the road surface on the carriageway. The sign is installed outside populated areas at a distance of 150-300 m, in populated areas — at a distance of 50-100 m before the start of the dangerous section. If necessary, the sign can be installed at another distance, which is indicated on plate 7.1.1 ‘Distance to the object’. The sign is temporary and is installed for the period necessary to carry out the relevant road works.”
Clause 33.1 — 33 “Road Signs”, 1 “Warning Signs”, sign 1.10 “Uneven Road” (additionally — for distinction from 1.12)
“Sign 1.10 ‘Uneven Road’ is installed before a section of road that has irregularities of the carriageway — undulations, bulges, swellings. The sign is installed outside populated areas at a distance of 150-300 m, in populated areas — at a distance of 50-100 m before the start of the dangerous section. If necessary, the sign can be installed at another distance, which is indicated on plate 7.1.1 ‘Distance to the object’. This sign is temporary and is installed for the period necessary to carry out the relevant road works.”
Clause 33.1 — 33 “Road Signs”, 1 “Warning Signs”, sign 1.11 “Hump” (additionally — for distinction from 1.12)
“Sign 1.11 ‘Hump’ is installed before a section of road with bumps, bulges, or an uneven junction of bridge structures. The sign can also be used before artificially created bumps in places where it is necessary to forcibly limit the speed of vehicles (dangerous exits from adjacent territories, places with intensive movement of children across the road, etc.). The sign is installed outside populated areas at a distance of 150-300 m, in populated areas — at a distance of 50-100 m before the start of the dangerous section. If necessary, the sign can be installed at another distance, which is indicated on plate 7.1.1 ‘Distance to the object’.”
That is, the correct answer is “Sign 3.”, given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, it is sign 1.12 “Pothole” that is installed before a section of road with potholes or subsidence of the road surface.
In this question, you need to identify the warning sign that specifically informs about potholes on the roadway or subsidence of the road surface. Such defects are dangerous because they can cause loss of control, wheel or suspension damage, so drivers are warned in advance with a separate sign.
According to Section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, sign 1.12 "Pothole" is used before a section of road where there are potholes or subsidence of the road surface on the carriageway. That is, it directly indicates "pothole" defects of the road, not general unevenness or bumps.
To avoid confusion, it is important to distinguish between similar warning signs. The "Uneven Road" sign warns of waviness, heaving, or swelling, that is, irregularities of another nature, not necessarily in the form of potholes. The "Bump" sign refers to humps or sharp irregularities such as rises/descents, not local surface collapses. Therefore, for situations with potholes or subsidence, the sign whose symbol most resembles a pothole is appropriate.
Thus, the correct answer is "Sign 3," as it corresponds to sign 1.12 "Pothole" and is installed before sections of road with potholes or subsidence of the road surface.