35.17. You want to cross the main road. Visibility in both directions is severely limited due to parked vehicles. How will you act?
UAВи хочете перетнути головну дорогу. Видимість в обох напрямках сильно обмежена через припарковані транспортні засоби. Як Ви будете діяти?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe passage of uncontrolled intersections and driver behavior in conditions of limited visibility. When the view is blocked by parked vehicles, the danger is that traffic on the main road or a pedestrian may appear suddenly, leaving almost no time to react. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand: even if it seems that the maneuver can be performed quickly, the risk of an accident increases sharply precisely because of the "invisible" section of the road.
The question tests knowledge of the definition of "limited visibility" (terms of the traffic rules, para. 1.10) and the basic requirements for the driver regarding attentiveness, choosing a safe speed, and readiness to stop (subparas. 2.3(b), 12.1, 12.3), as well as the logic of passing intersections of unequal roads (section 16, in particular para. 16.11). In such a situation, the correct tactic is to approach slowly, "gradually" opening up your view, monitoring both directions, and stopping if necessary to make sure it is safe to cross and not to create danger for other road users.
The option of "quickly" crossing is incorrect, because speed does not compensate for the lack of visibility: it only reduces the time to detect a vehicle on the main road and increases the consequences of a possible collision. Instead, the answer about proceeding with particular caution corresponds to the requirements of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: the driver must act prudently, reduce speed to a level of full control, and not begin the maneuver until convinced that it is safe for everyone. This is a key skill assessed by every such exam question on the theoretical test.
Clause 1.10 (term “Limited visibility”)
Limited visibility — the visibility of the road in the direction of travel, restricted by the geometric parameters of the road, roadside engineering structures, plantings and other objects, as well as vehicles.
Application: parked vehicles that block the view to the left/right on the main road create exactly limited visibility, so entering/exiting the intersection requires maximum caution and readiness to stop.
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 correct placement and securing of cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving this vehicle on the road.
Application: in the absence of full visibility, the driver must act prudently (monitor the situation, exit slowly, be ready to stop).
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, or making any change in the direction of movement, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Application: “edging out” into the intersection from a secondary road with limited visibility is allowed only after ensuring safety (if necessary — slowly, in stages, with readiness to stop).
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe 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.
Application: limited visibility before crossing the main road requires reducing speed to a level that ensures full control and the ability to stop immediately.
Clause 12.3
If a danger to traffic or an obstacle that the driver can objectively detect arises, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely bypassing the obstacle for other road users.
Application: the potential appearance of vehicles on the main road “from behind parked cars” is a foreseeable danger, so the correct action is a slow, controlled exit with readiness to stop.
Clause 16.11
At the intersection of roads of unequal importance, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must yield to vehicles approaching on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
Application: when crossing the main road, vehicles on the main road have priority; with limited visibility, this means the need for a cautious “approach/exit” to check the situation and yield to those traveling on the main road.
That is, the correct answer is “I will enter the intersection with particular caution,” given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, there is limited visibility (clause 1.10), and the driver is obliged to be attentive, choose a safe speed, and, if necessary, reduce it up to stopping (subclauses 2.3(b), 12.1, 12.3), and when crossing the main road from a secondary one — yield to vehicles on the main road (clause 16.11).
In this situation, you are crossing the main road, but the key factor is not priority, but the fact that visibility in both directions is blocked by parked vehicles. According to the definition in the Traffic Rules (item 1.10), this is limited visibility, meaning the driver cannot see the road and other road users in advance due to objects, including vehicles.
The danger of limited visibility is that the actual "visible area" appears only when you approach almost right up to the obstacle that blocks your view. That is, until you enter the intersection, you cannot reliably assess whether a car is approaching on the main road, whether a pedestrian will suddenly step out from behind a parked car, or whether a cyclist will appear. Under such conditions, even having the right of way does not guarantee safety, because another road user may not be noticed in time.
Therefore, the correct action for the driver is to reduce speed in advance, approach the intersection slowly, monitor both directions, and be ready to stop at any moment to make sure the maneuver is safe. In fact, you should "creep" into the intersection just enough to gradually open up your view, without creating danger for those moving along the main road or for pedestrians who may appear unexpectedly.
Thus, the correct answer is "I will enter the intersection with particular caution," because in conditions of limited visibility (item 1.10 of the Traffic Rules), it is impossible to assess the traffic situation in advance, so you must reduce speed, stop if necessary, and only after making sure it is safe, gradually enter the intersection.