34.35. Is it permitted to drive onto this horizontal road marking at intersections during traffic congestion?
UAЧи дозволено виїжджати на цю горизонтальну розмітку на перехрестях під час заторів?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety at intersections during traffic jams. Its purpose is to teach drivers not to block intersections, as stopping on them obstructs cross traffic, hinders pedestrians, and provokes conflict maneuvers. That is why the traffic rules pay special attention to the actions of drivers when there is a buildup of cars ahead and traffic is essentially at a standstill.
The topic checks the sections of the Traffic Rules regarding passing intersections and horizontal road markings: marking 1.10.3 (yellow "box") according to clause 34.1.10.3 designates an area within the intersection where entry is prohibited if, due to a traffic jam, the driver would be forced to stop at the intersection. This rule is reinforced by clause 16.4: even if the traffic light or other conditions formally allow movement, entering the intersection is prohibited when it is not possible to cross without stopping and an obstacle would be created for other road users.
The option "allowed" is incorrect, because both marking 1.10.3 and the provision of clause 16.4 are directly aimed at preventing the "blocking" of intersections during traffic jams. The correct logic for the theoretical exam is simple: you may enter the "yellow box" area only when there is free space beyond the intersection to complete the crossing without a forced stop; if there is a jam ahead and stopping is inevitable, entry into this area is prohibited.
Clause 34.1.10.3 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.10.3
Marking 1.10.3 (yellow "box" marking) indicates the section of an intersection onto which it is prohibited to drive in the event of a traffic jam (when further movement is impossible and the driver will be forced to stop at the intersection), so as not to create an obstacle to cross traffic.
Clause 16.4 — 16 "Passing intersections"
It is prohibited to drive onto any intersection, including when the traffic light allows movement, if a traffic jam has formed that will force the driver to stop at the intersection, thereby creating an obstacle for the movement of other vehicles and pedestrians.
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, marking 1.10.3 designates the intersection area into which entry is not allowed during a traffic jam, and clause 16.4 directly prohibits entering an intersection if, due to a traffic jam, you will have to stop on it and obstruct traffic.
Marking 1.10.3 (yellow “box”) is applied on the roadway within the intersection so that the driver understands in advance: you must not enter this area if there is a risk of stopping due to a traffic jam. Its purpose is simple — to prevent blocking the intersection.
In a traffic jam situation, the main danger is that a driver will enter the intersection (including the area marked with the “box”), but due to the accumulation of cars ahead, will not be able to pass through and will be forced to stop right at the intersection. This automatically blocks cross traffic and prevents other road users from completing their maneuvers.
The rule is logical: entering the intersection is allowed only when there is enough free space beyond it to pass through without stopping. If there is a traffic jam ahead and you can already see that you will have to stop on the “box,” entering this marking is prohibited even if the traffic light or signs allow movement.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since marking 1.10.3 designates an intersection area that must not be entered during a traffic jam if you will have to stop and block the intersection.