35.41. Is it necessary to remove snow from the roof of the vehicle before starting to drive in winter?
UAЧи потрібно зчистити сніг із даху авто перед початком руху взимку?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in winter and the driver's responsibilities before starting to drive. In winter conditions, snow and ice on the vehicle body become a risk factor: during acceleration, braking, or at speed, they can shift or be blown off by the airflow, impair the driver's visibility, or create an obstacle for other vehicles. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that even 'ordinary' snow on the roof can turn into a dangerous mass, especially when the car warms up and water or an ice crust forms under the snow layer.
The question tests knowledge of the requirements of the sections of the traffic rules regarding the general duties of road users and the driver before departure, as well as the norms of section 23 'Cargo Transportation.' The logic of the traffic rules is as follows: one must not, by action or inaction, create danger or an obstacle (p. 1.5), the driver is obliged before departure to ensure the safe condition of the vehicle and the 'securing/placement' of anything that may come loose or shift (p. 2.3(b), 23.2), and also not to allow restricted visibility or danger to others (p. 23.3). Snow or ice on the roof, according to these norms, is an 'unsecured mass' that can fall, fly off, or block the glass.
The option that provides for cleaning the roof is correct, as it directly prevents typical winter situations: snow 'sliding' onto the windshield during braking, flying onto the car behind, damaging the glass, or causing other drivers to brake sharply. The alternative option is incorrect, as it ignores the obligation to prepare the vehicle for safe driving and actually allows for the creation of an obstacle or danger, which contradicts the Traffic Rules of Ukraine and the logic of knowledge testing in the theoretical exam.
Clause 1.5
Road users are required to know and strictly comply with the requirements of these Rules. The actions or inaction of road users and other persons must not create danger or obstacles to traffic, threaten the life or health of citizens, or cause material damage.
Explanation of application: snow/ice that may fall off the roof while driving and impair visibility or damage other vehicles is a potential traffic hazard.
Clause 2.3 (subclause “b”)
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged: before departure, to check and ensure the technical serviceability and completeness of the vehicle, as well as the correct placement and securing of cargo.
Explanation of application: preparing the vehicle for driving includes eliminating factors that may cause danger while driving; snow/ice on the roof is essentially an “unsecured mass” that may fall off or shift.
Clause 23.2 (Section 23 “Cargo Transportation”)
Before starting to drive, the driver must check the correct placement and securing of the cargo, and while driving — monitor this to prevent it from falling, dragging, causing injury, or creating obstacles to traffic.
Explanation of application: snow or ice on the roof/hood that may fall or fly off while driving, according to the meaning of this provision, falls under the risk of “falling” and “creating obstacles.”
Clause 23.3 (Section 23 “Cargo Transportation”)
The cargo being transported must not: a) endanger road users; b) restrict the driver’s visibility; c) complicate the control of the vehicle or impair its stability; d) cover external lighting devices, reflectors, license plates, or identification marks, or interfere with the perception of hand signals; e) create noise, dust, pollute the road or the environment.
Explanation of application: snow/ice flying off the roof may restrict visibility (for the driver or other drivers), create danger and obstacles, and also cover lighting devices/license plates if the body is covered by them.
Thus, the correct answer is “Yes,” given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver is not allowed by their actions/inaction to create danger or obstacles to traffic, and any mass on the car that can fall/fly off and restrict visibility or threaten other road users must be removed before starting to drive.
Before starting to drive in winter, the driver must prepare the vehicle so that its condition does not create danger and does not limit visibility. The Traffic Rules establish the general obligation for the driver to check the technical condition before departure and to ensure the safe placement and condition of anything that may affect control and traffic safety. Snow on the roof is precisely one of these factors, because during movement it can shift and fall off.
In practice, snow on the roof is not "secured." During a trip, the car warms up, moisture appears under the layer of snow, adhesion to the surface worsens, and at speed or during braking the snow can slide forward. In such a situation, it can cover the windshield, which means a sharp deterioration or complete loss of visibility at a critical moment. This directly contradicts the requirement to drive the vehicle so that the driver has sufficient road visibility and can safely react to the situation.
In addition to the risk for you, there is a risk for others. The airflow can blow snow or a crust of ice off the roof, and these masses will fly backward or to the side, creating an obstacle for vehicles behind. Even "light" snow can momentarily block another driver's visibility, and ice can damage glass or cause sudden braking and an emergency situation. Therefore, clearing the roof is part of the mandatory preparation of the vehicle for driving, so as not to create danger for other road users.
Thus, the correct answer is "Yes," because snow on the roof during movement can shift or come off, impair the driver's visibility, and create danger and obstacles for other road users.