35.159. Why should the speed of novice drivers be lower than that of other drivers?
UAЧому швидкість водіїв-початківців має бути нижчою, ніж в інших водіїв?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about speed safety and the psychology of driving: why beginners need to drive at a more cautious speed. In real traffic, speed determines not only travel time, but also the margin for error, braking distance, and the severity of accident consequences. Therefore, the traffic rules specifically identify beginner drivers as a high-risk category, for whom special restrictions apply to reduce the likelihood of accidents in the first years of independent driving.
In essence, this question tests the section of the traffic rules about speed limits and choosing a safe speed, as well as knowledge of special norms for drivers with less than 2 years of experience (in particular, the 70 km/h limit and the requirement for an identification sign). In the context of the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the logic of the rules in points 12.1 and 12.3: the driver must constantly control the vehicle and be able to reduce speed in time in case of danger. For a beginner, this is more difficult due to less experience in "reading" the traffic situation, so a safe speed for them is objectively lower even within the permitted limits.
The analysis of the answer options in this exam question comes down to two reasons that work together. The statement about a longer reaction time for beginner drivers is practically true: in stressful or unusual situations, a novice often spends extra seconds recognizing danger and choosing an action, and these seconds turn into extra meters before braking or maneuvering begins. The second statement is also correct: full orientation in the traffic environment is formed through repeated exposure to typical situations and analysis of one's own decisions, so an experienced driver acts more predictably and in advance. Therefore, the correct answer is a combination of both reasons, because reduced speed compensates for both slower decision-making and insufficient risk assessment skills, which directly corresponds to the requirements of the traffic rules regarding safe driving.
Clause 1.10 (term “Novice driver”)
Novice driver — a driver who has less than 2 years of driving experience.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the road conditions, 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: for a novice driver (as a subgroup of drivers with less skills/experience), the requirement to “take into account... in order to... drive safely” in practice means the need to choose a lower (more cautious) speed within the permitted range.
Clause 12.3
If a danger to traffic or an obstacle that the driver can objectively detect arises, he/she must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely bypassing the obstacle for other road users.
Brief application: this clause directly links safety to the timeliness of the driver’s actions in case of danger; for a novice driver, who is less oriented/slower in making decisions, a lower speed reduces risks because it provides more time and shortens the braking distance.
Clause 12.6
On all roads and throughout the territory of Ukraine, the following speed limits are established: … g) for drivers with less than 2 years of driving experience — no more than 70 km/h.
Brief application: the Traffic Rules establish a separate (lower) general speed limit for novice drivers — specifically as a special rule for this category.
Clause 30.3 (identification signs, subparagraph “i” — “Maximum speed limit”)
“Maximum speed limit” — an image of road sign 3.29 indicating the permitted speed; installed on mechanical vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience.
Brief application: the Traffic Rules require that vehicles driven by novice drivers be marked with a sign indicating the permitted speed (in practice — 70 km/h), which emphasizes the existence of a special lower limit and warns other road users.
Thus, the correct answer is “Answers 1 and 2.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a novice driver is a separate category (cl. 1.10), for which a lower speed limit of 70 km/h is established (cl. 12.6 e) and mandatory marking of the vehicle with the appropriate identification sign is provided (cl. 30.3 “i”), while the general requirements for safe speed and response to danger (cl. 12.1, 12.3) justify the need to drive slower due to less skill/experience.
When a person is just beginning to drive a car independently, their main problem is not that they "don't know how to press the brakes," but that they have not yet learned to recognize danger as quickly and accurately, assess the situation, and make the right decision. An experienced driver "reads" most typical situations in advance and acts almost automatically, while a beginner driver often spends more time understanding what is happening and what to do next.
This is especially noticeable in a critical moment: a novice may become confused, act uncertainly, or react too late. In a stressful situation, such a delay in decision-making means the car travels more meters before starting to brake or maneuver. That is, even with properly functioning brakes and a formally "normal" physical reaction, the actual time from the appearance of danger to the correct action is often longer for a beginner driver.
This is why the Traffic Rules introduce a special restriction for drivers with less than 2 years of experience: outside populated areas, they are allowed to drive no faster than 70 km/h, and the vehicle must display a recognition sign "Maximum speed limit" with "70" indicated (paragraph 12.6 and paragraph 30.3 of the Traffic Rules). The meaning of this rule is simple: reducing speed gives the novice extra time to assess the road situation and choose actions, and also reduces the severity of possible mistakes.
For example, on a country road, an obstacle suddenly appears or someone ahead brakes sharply. An experienced driver usually notices the "prerequisites" earlier (dangerous approach, unstable movement of another car, risky maneuver) and begins to reduce speed in advance. A novice may notice the problem later, and then every extra 10–20 km/h turns into additional meters of distance, which may then be lacking to stop or avoid safely.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2," since beginner drivers have less experience in assessing the road situation and making decisions under stress, and the Traffic Rules directly set a reduced maximum speed for them (70 km/h outside populated areas) as a safety precaution.