33.3.14. Which of the vehicles is parked in violation of the Traffic Rules in the depicted situation within a populated area?
UAЯкий з автомобілів поставлено на стоянку в населеному пункті з порушенням Правил дорожнього руху в зображеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely and legally perform stopping and parking within a populated area, focusing on restrictive road signs and their zones of effect. For the theoretical exam, it is important not only to know the definitions of "stop" and "parking," but also to quickly determine which side of the road the prohibition applies to and from which point it starts, since a mistake here directly affects visibility, road capacity, and the risk of accidents.
The question relates to the topic "Stopping and Parking" (section 15 of the Traffic Rules) and "Road Signs and Plates" (section 33). The situation shows a road in a populated area with two-way traffic and one lane in each direction, without solid line marking 1.1 and without tram tracks in the middle, so according to clause 15.3 of the traffic rules, stopping/parking is also allowed on the left side. At the same time, sign 3.34 "Stopping Prohibited" forbids both stopping and parking (section 33), and plate 7.2.2 "Zone of Effect" specifies that the prohibition applies from the place where the sign is installed for the indicated distance; the sign's effect applies only to the side of the road where it is installed.
If we analyze the options, the combinations "green and yellow" and "black and yellow" are incorrect, because the green car is parked on the left where it is generally allowed and where the effect of sign 3.34 does not apply. The "green" option is also incorrect for the same reason: the very fact of parking on the left under such conditions is not a violation. Only the car that stopped/parked on the right within the zone of effect of sign 3.34 with plate 7.2.2 is in violation, while the black car is located outside this zone and therefore is not subject to the prohibition.
Clause 1.10 (term “Stop”)
Stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, or to fulfill the requirements of these Rules.
Clause 1.10 (term “Parking”)
Parking — cessation of movement of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes for reasons not related to fulfilling the requirements of these Rules, boarding (alighting) passengers, or loading (unloading) cargo.
Clause 15.3
In populated areas, stopping and parking of vehicles is allowed on the left side of the road that has one lane in each direction (without tram tracks in the middle) and is not divided by a solid road marking line 1.1, as well as on the left side of a one-way road.
Explanation of application: in the shown situation (two-way traffic, one lane in each direction, no solid 1.1 line and no tram tracks in the middle) stopping/parking on the left is generally allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Clause 15.9
Stopping is prohibited in places where it is forbidden by the relevant road signs or road markings.
Explanation of application: if a vehicle is within the area of effect of a sign prohibiting stopping, this is a violation regardless of whether it is on the right or left relative to the direction of travel.
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road Signs”, 3 “Prohibitory Signs”, sign 3.34 “Stopping Prohibited”
Sign 3.34 “Stopping Prohibited” prohibits stopping and parking of vehicles. The effect of the sign applies only to the side of the road on which it is installed.
Explanation of application: the sign is installed on the right, so the prohibition applies to the right side of the road (on this side of the carriageway).
Clause 33.7 — 33 “Road Signs”, 7 “Plates to Road Signs”, plate 7.2.2 “Zone of Effect”
Plate 7.2.2 “Zone of Effect” is used with signs that prohibit stopping and parking, and indicates the length of the road section (in meters) from the place where the sign is installed over which the sign applies.
Explanation of application: the prohibition starts directly from the sign and continues for the distance indicated on the plate; a vehicle within this distance on the relevant side of the road violates the requirements.
That is, the correct answer is “Yellow.”, given that it is within the area of effect of sign 3.34 “Stopping Prohibited” with plate 7.2.2, which establishes the length of the stopping/parking prohibition from the place where the sign is installed on the relevant side of the road.
In this situation, we are in a populated area on a two-way road, where the carriageway has one lane in each direction, there are no tram tracks in the middle, and there is no solid line separating the traffic flows. Under such conditions, the Rules allow stopping and parking not only on the right, but also on the left side of the carriageway. Therefore, the mere fact that the green car is parked on the left side in a populated area is not a violation.
Next, it is necessary to assess the effect of road sign 3.34 "No stopping." This sign prohibits both stopping and parking, and its effect applies only to the side of the road where it is installed. That is, the restriction concerns the right side of the carriageway.
Under the sign, there is a plate 7.2.2, which determines the length of the prohibition zone. This means that the prohibition starts directly from the place where the sign is installed and applies to the distance indicated on the plate ahead. Therefore, all vehicles that have stopped or are parked within this distance on the right side are violating the requirement of sign 3.34.
The yellow car is located exactly on the right side of the road within the area of effect of sign 3.34 with plate 7.2.2, that is, where stopping and parking are prohibited. In contrast, the green car is parked on the left side, which is not affected by this sign, and the black car is outside the prohibition zone.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The yellow one," since it is parked on the right within the area of effect of sign 3.34 with plate 7.2.2, where stopping and parking are prohibited.