33.5.71. Which of the depicted road signs designate places intended for pedestrians to cross the carriageway?
UAЯкими із зображених дорожніх знаків позначаються місця, призначені для переходу пішоходами по проїзній частині?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of road signs that directly affect the safety of pedestrians and drivers. In real traffic, correctly identifying the location of an organized crossing helps the driver to reduce speed in time and be ready to yield, while the pedestrian can cross the road at a permitted and most predictable location.
In terms of content, this theoretical exam task relates to section 33 of the Traffic Rules (informational and guiding signs) and the definitions in section 1, in particular the definition of "pedestrian crossing" in point 1.10. The key detail in the wording is the crossing specifically on the carriageway, that is, at the same level as the movement of vehicles. This is exactly what signs 5.38.1 and 5.38.2 "Pedestrian crossing" indicate, described in the Traffic Rules as signs used to designate places intended for the organized crossing of pedestrians across the carriageway.
The other answer options are distracting because they are also related to crossing the road, but of a different type: signs 5.41.1/5.41.2 indicate an overhead pedestrian crossing, and 5.40.1/5.40.2 indicate an underground crossing. In these cases, pedestrians move above or below the carriageway, that is, they do not cross it on the carriageway itself, as the condition requires. Therefore, the correct choice is the sign that indicates a "Pedestrian crossing" at road level, not an underground or overhead structure.
Clause 1.10 (term “Pedestrian crossing”)
“Pedestrian crossing — a section of the carriageway or an engineering structure intended for pedestrian movement across the road. Pedestrian crossings are indicated by road signs 5.38.1, 5.38.2, 5.40.1, 5.40.2, 5.41.1, 5.41.2, road markings 1.14.1 (“zebra”), 1.14.2, 1.14.3, and pedestrian traffic lights. In the absence of road markings, the boundaries of the pedestrian crossing are determined by the distance between road signs or pedestrian traffic lights, and at intersections, in the absence of pedestrian traffic lights, road signs, and markings, — by the width of sidewalks or road shoulders. A regulated pedestrian crossing is one where movement is controlled by a traffic light or a traffic controller; an unregulated pedestrian crossing is one where there is no controller, traffic lights are absent or switched off, or operating in flashing yellow mode.”
(Application to the question: “crossing the carriageway” refers to a pedestrian crossing as a section of the carriageway; as opposed to underground/overhead crossings, which are engineering structures.)
Clause 33.5.38.1 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.38.1 “Pedestrian crossing”
“Used to indicate places intended for organized pedestrian crossing of the carriageway. The sign is installed on the left side of the road at the far boundary of the crossing.”
Clause 33.5.38.2 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.38.2 “Pedestrian crossing”
“Used to indicate places intended for organized pedestrian crossing of the carriageway.”
(Application to the question: it is specifically signs 5.38.1/5.38.2 that indicate the place for pedestrians to cross directly on the carriageway.)
Clause 33.5.40.1 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.40.1 “Underground pedestrian crossing”
“Used to indicate underground pedestrian crossings.”
Clause 33.5.40.2 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.40.2 “Underground pedestrian crossing”
“Used to indicate underground pedestrian crossings.”
Clause 33.5.41.1 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.41.1 “Overhead pedestrian crossing”
“Used to indicate overhead pedestrian crossings.”
Clause 33.5.41.2 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.41.2 “Overhead pedestrian crossing”
“Used to indicate overhead pedestrian crossings.”
(Application to the question: underground/overhead crossing means crossing the road via an engineering structure “under” or “over” the carriageway, not “on the carriageway”.)
That is, the correct answer is “Sign 2.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, places intended for organized pedestrian crossing of the carriageway are indicated by signs 5.38.1/5.38.2 “Pedestrian crossing”, whereas signs for underground/overhead crossings indicate a crossing by means of an engineering structure, not on the carriageway.
The key wording in the question is: places designated for pedestrians to cross the carriageway. That is, it refers specifically to the section of the road where a pedestrian crosses the carriageway at the same level as vehicles.
According to the definition in the Traffic Rules (the term "pedestrian crossing"), such organized crossing places are marked with the appropriate signs and/or road markings. Among the options provided, only the "Pedestrian Crossing" sign (according to section 33 of the Traffic Rules, sign 5.38.1/5.38.2) directly indicates a place where pedestrians cross the carriageway itself.
The other signs shown relate to overground and underground pedestrian crossings. In these cases, pedestrians move either above or below the carriageway, meaning they do not actually cross it at the carriageway level. That is why they do not meet the condition of the question.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Sign 2," as it is the one that marks an organized place for pedestrians to cross the carriageway at the same level as vehicle traffic.