35.134. When driving through areas with a large number of pedestrians, the driver must:
UAРухаючись ділянками, де велика кількість пішоходів, водію необхідно:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Such locations (near schools, bus stops, markets, pedestrian crossings in city centers) always carry an increased risk because people's behavior can change suddenly, and children and elderly pedestrians often act unpredictably. For the driver, the main thing is not to "rush through," but to allow enough time and distance for a safe reaction without abrupt maneuvers.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding speed and driver actions in case of danger, primarily clause 12.3, as well as the logic of clauses 12.1 and 2.3(b): to choose a safe speed, be attentive, and immediately reduce speed up to a complete stop if there is a danger to traffic. Therefore, the correct model of behavior in such road sections is increased attentiveness, caution, reducing speed, and readiness to stop, since a pedestrian may appear in your path instantly.
Analysis of the options in the theoretical exam format: turning on high beam headlights in a crowd of pedestrians does not solve the problem of safe stopping, may blind other road users, and does not replace choosing a safe speed. The intention to "drive through as quickly as possible" even with hazard lights on is incorrect: hazard lights do not give any advantage and do not cancel the requirements of the traffic rules regarding reducing speed and being ready to stop in the face of predictable danger. In practice, this means: reduce your speed in advance, monitor areas from which people may suddenly appear (between parked cars, from behind obstacles, from the crowd), and be ready to brake to a complete stop.
Clause 12.3
In case of a traffic hazard or obstacle that the driver can objectively detect, they must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely maneuvering around the obstacle for other road users.
Brief application: a large number of pedestrians increases the likelihood of a sudden “traffic hazard,” so the driver must be ready to immediately reduce speed up to a complete stop.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe driving speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the road situation, as well as the characteristics of the cargo being transported and the condition of the vehicle, in order to be able to constantly control its movement and drive it safely.
Brief application: with intensive pedestrian traffic, the “road situation” requires choosing a lower (safer) speed to be able to react safely.
Clause 2.3 (subclause “b”)
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the road situation, respond appropriately to its changes, monitor the proper placement and securing of cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving while on the road.
Brief application: in areas with a large number of pedestrians, the driver is directly required to be more attentive and to react in a timely manner to changes in the situation.
Clause 1.10 (term “Traffic hazard”)
Traffic hazard — a change in the road situation or the technical condition of the vehicle that threatens road safety and forces the driver to immediately reduce speed or stop.
Brief application: the sudden appearance/step of a pedestrian into the path of travel is a “traffic hazard,” which by definition requires immediate speed reduction or stopping.
Clause 18.1
The driver, when approaching an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing where pedestrians are present, must reduce speed and, if necessary, stop to give way to pedestrians crossing the carriageway.
Brief application: in places with a concentration of pedestrians, there are often pedestrian crossings where the Traffic Rules directly require reducing speed and stopping if necessary.
Thus, the correct answer is: “Be especially attentive and cautious, reduce speed, and be ready to stop completely,” given that by definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to be attentive, choose a safe speed, and in case of a traffic hazard immediately reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle (and near an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing — reduce speed and stop if necessary).
On road sections with many pedestrians, the driver should treat the situation as potentially dangerous. Even if people are walking on the sidewalk or standing near the roadway, their actions can change quickly, and the driver is required to be prepared in advance to respond safely.
Pedestrians, especially children, often act unpredictably: they may suddenly run onto the road, stop, turn back, or fail to assess the speed of the vehicle. A child often notices the presence of a car but is unable to correctly determine how fast it is approaching. In addition, due to their short stature, children are easier to miss behind parked cars, trees, fences, or crowds of people. Therefore, for the driver, the key is not to "manage to drive through," but to have enough time and distance to react.
This is directly stated in clause 12.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: if there is a danger to traffic or an obstacle that the driver can objectively detect, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely driving around. A large gathering of pedestrians is exactly a situation where danger can be anticipated in advance, so the correct action for the driver is to reduce speed and be ready to brake.
Imagine you are driving near a school, market, or public transport stop. A person may step onto the roadway to get around others, a child may break away from the crowd, or someone may start crossing the road without making sure it is safe. If the speed is reduced in advance, you have the opportunity to stop immediately without abrupt maneuvers and without creating danger for other road users.
Thus, the correct answer is "Be especially attentive and cautious, reduce speed, and be ready to stop completely," because according to clause 12.3, when a danger appears or is anticipated that the driver is able to detect, he must immediately reduce speed up to stopping, and a large number of pedestrians creates exactly such a situation.