35.27. What criteria should drivers follow when choosing speed according to visibility in the direction of travel?
UAЯкими критеріями мають керуватися водії, обираючи швидкість у відповідності до видимості за напрямком руху?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe choice of speed depending on the road situation. It is directly related to road safety, since most information a driver receives is through vision, and therefore visibility determines whether the driver will have time to notice a danger, react, and stop without a collision. In real traffic, visibility is often reduced due to fog, rain, snowfall, dusk, glare from headlights, as well as closed turns, hill crests, parked cars, or large vehicles that block the view.
The question tests knowledge of the terms and requirements of the section on speed in the traffic rules, in particular the definition of “visibility in the direction of travel” from paragraph 1.10 and the principle of paragraph 12.2: at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, the speed must be such that the vehicle can be stopped within the visible section of the road. This approach is fundamental for the theoretical exam, as it shows whether the driver understands the connection between viewing distance, reaction time, and braking distance.
The analysis of the answer options in the tickets is logical: the statement that speed and visibility are not related contradicts the very definition of visibility in the traffic rules, where its role in choosing a safe speed and maneuver is directly stated. The idea that in a populated area visibility can be ignored is also incorrect: in the city, the risk of a pedestrian or obstacle suddenly appearing is often higher, and the view is often limited by buildings, parked cars, and intersections. The only correct principle for this exam question is: the worse the visibility, the lower the speed should be, so that the driver does not “drive blindly” and has time to stop within what is actually visible ahead.
Clause 1.10 (term "Visibility in the direction of travel")
Visibility in the direction of travel — the maximum distance at which, from the driver's position, it is possible to clearly distinguish the boundaries of road elements and the location of road users, allowing the driver to navigate while operating the vehicle, in particular to choose a safe speed and perform a safe maneuver.
Clause 12.2
At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, the speed must be such that the driver is able to stop the vehicle within the visible section of the road.
In short: speed should decrease proportionally as visibility worsens, so that stopping is possible within the distance that the driver can actually see ahead in the direction of travel.
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.
That is, the correct answer is: "The worse the visibility, the lower the driving speed should be," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, visibility in the direction of travel is directly used to select a safe speed, and at night or in conditions of insufficient visibility, the speed must ensure the possibility of stopping within the visible section of the road.
When choosing a speed, the driver should proceed from the distance ahead that they can actually "see" and assess. In the Traffic Rules, clause 1.10 explains the concept of visibility in the direction of movement as the maximum distance from the driver's position at which the boundaries of road elements and the location of road users can be clearly recognized. That is, visibility is directly needed to navigate, choose a safe speed, and perform maneuvers without risk.
The logic is simple: the higher the speed, the more distance the car covers in the same amount of time, and the more "reserve" space is needed to notice a danger in time, react, and stop. If visibility is short (fog, rain, dusk, glare from headlights, an incline, a blind turn, large vehicles ahead, or parked cars blocking the view), the driver receives information too late. In such a situation, a speed that seemed normal in good visibility becomes dangerous, because an obstacle may appear in view when there is no longer enough braking distance.
A practical guideline for self-control is this: the driver must be able to stop the vehicle within the distance they can see ahead. Otherwise, it is essentially driving "blind." That is why before a hidden turn, at the crest of a hill, near a pedestrian crossing, or at a public transport stop, the driver reduces speed even when there may be no direct prohibitory signs: visibility is limited, and the likelihood of a sudden obstacle increases.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "The worse the visibility, the lower the driving speed should be," because a safe speed is determined by the distance at which the driver is able to see the situation ahead in time and have enough time to react and stop within the visible area.