35.151. The worse the visibility, the lower the driving speed should be:
UAЧим гірша видимість, тим меншою має бути швидкість руху:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of speed regulation in real road conditions, when a driver's decisions are influenced by fog, rain, snowfall, twilight, or unlit areas. In such situations, the key principle is that speed should not be 'the maximum permitted,' but rather safe, so that the driver maintains control of the vehicle and has enough time to avoid hazards.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding speed and the choice of safe speed (points 12.1–12.3), as well as understanding the terms 'visibility in the direction of travel,' 'insufficient visibility,' and 'limited visibility' (point 1.10). The logic of the Traffic Rules is simple: the driver must choose a speed that allows them to stop the vehicle within the visible distance of the road ahead. When visibility worsens, this 'limit' decreases, so speed must also be reduced.
The 'Yes' option complies with the requirements of the traffic rules: the later you notice an obstacle, the less time you have to react, and combined with wet or slippery surfaces, the braking distance increases and the risk of skidding or aquaplaning rises. The 'No' option contradicts the basic rule of safe speed and the requirement to stop within the visible distance, so it is considered incorrect on the theoretical exam.
The practical meaning of the topic is obvious: reducing speed in poor visibility, increasing following distance, and being ready to brake help avoid hitting a pedestrian, colliding with slow-moving vehicles, or encountering unexpected obstacles. The ability to assess the traffic situation is precisely the goal of such tasks in the theoretical exam tickets.
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.
Clause 12.2
The driving speed must allow the driver to stop the vehicle within the visible distance of the road in the direction of travel.
Clause 12.3
If a traffic hazard or obstacle arises that the driver can objectively detect, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely bypassing the obstacle for other road users.
Clause 1.10 (term "Visibility in the direction of travel")
Visibility in the direction of travel — the maximum distance from the driver's seat at which road elements and the road situation in the direction of travel can be clearly recognized.
Clause 1.10 (term "Insufficient visibility")
Insufficient visibility — road visibility in the direction of travel of less than 300 m in twilight, fog, rain, snowfall, etc.
Clause 1.10 (term "Limited visibility")
Limited visibility — road visibility in the direction of travel that is restricted by the geometric parameters of the road, its equipment elements, plantings, buildings, structures, etc.
That is, the correct answer is "Yes.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver is required to choose such a speed that allows safe control and stopping of the vehicle within the visible distance of the road in the direction of travel, and when visibility worsens, this distance decreases, so the speed must be lower.
When choosing a speed, the driver is required to be guided not only by established limits, but also by the road situation. The Traffic Rules directly establish the principle: speed must be safe and correspond, in particular, to visibility in the direction of travel. That is, the driver must be able to see danger in time and have enough time to stop or avoid an obstacle.
When visibility worsens (fog, heavy rain, snowfall, dusk, or a dark section of road without lighting), the distance at which you notice a pedestrian, cyclist, parked car, or object on the road becomes much shorter. At the same speed, there is less time to react and perform a maneuver, so the risk of not reacting in time increases.
It should also be taken into account that poor visibility is often combined with worse tire grip on the road. On wet, snowy, or slippery surfaces, the braking distance increases, and at high speed the likelihood of skidding or losing tire contact with the road on water also increases. Therefore, even if you notice an obstacle, the car needs more distance to stop safely.
For example, in fog, a driver may see a pedestrian at a crosswalk or a slow-moving vehicle only when there are just tens of meters left. If the speed is too high, even an instant reaction does not guarantee a timely stop, and mistakes in judging distance in such conditions happen more often.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes," because as visibility decreases, the driver must reduce speed to have enough time and distance to detect danger and brake safely.