35.76. Insufficient tire pressure increases the braking distance of a vehicle:
UAНедостатній тиск в шинах збільшує гальмівний шлях автомобіля:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in relation to the technical condition of the vehicle and its impact on braking efficiency. In real conditions, even properly functioning brakes do not guarantee a short stopping distance if the wheels have poor traction with the road, so monitoring tire pressure is directly related to safe following distance and predictable handling, especially on wet, slippery, or uneven surfaces.
The question tests knowledge of the sections of the traffic rules regarding the driver's duties and technical requirements for the vehicle: point 2.3 (subpoints "a" and "b") regarding checking roadworthiness before departure and monitoring condition while driving, as well as point 31.1 about compliance of the technical condition with standards and manufacturer requirements. The normative tire pressure is part of these requirements because it determines how the tire contacts the road and how braking force is transmitted.
The option confirming the increase in braking distance with reduced pressure is correct: an underinflated tire deforms more, holds the shape of the contact patch worse, responds to braking more slowly and less stably, which increases the likelihood of skidding and lengthens the stop. The negative option is incorrect because it ignores the physics of traction and the requirements of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine regarding the maintenance of a technically sound condition, which are directly related to how the vehicle brakes both in the theoretical exam and in everyday driving.
Practical conclusion for preparing for the theoretical exam: correct tire pressure is not only about saving fuel and tire life, but above all about a controlled braking distance and vehicle stability in a critical situation. Therefore, the driver must regularly check the pressure before a trip and respond to signs of its decrease while driving, in accordance with the requirements of the traffic rules.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "a")
"To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: a) before driving, check and ensure the technical serviceability and completeness of the vehicle…"
Application: tire pressure is one of the technical parameters that the driver must check before starting to drive, as it affects the tire-to-road grip and braking efficiency.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "b")
"To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: b) while driving, monitor the technical condition of the vehicle…"
Application: in case of signs of insufficient pressure (worsened handling, "soft" tire, etc.), the driver should take into account that the technical condition of the vehicle has deteriorated, and therefore safety (in particular, braking) may be reduced.
Clause 31.1
"The technical condition of vehicles and their equipment must comply with the requirements of standards related to road safety and environmental protection, technical operation rules, manufacturer instructions, and other regulatory and technical documentation."
Application: The Traffic Rules directly link the technical condition to manufacturer requirements and regulations. The standard tire pressure is part of these requirements; deviations (including low pressure) worsen braking performance and can increase the braking distance.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes," given that according to the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to ensure the technical serviceability of the vehicle and compliance of its parameters with manufacturer/regulatory requirements, and low tire pressure is a deviation in technical condition that worsens grip and braking efficiency, thereby increasing the braking distance.
During braking, the car stops due to the grip force of the tires on the road. The more reliably the tire “holds” the surface, the more effectively the braking force is transmitted and the shorter the braking distance will be.
When the tire pressure is low, the tire deforms more: the sidewalls “flex,” the tread works unstably, and the wheel’s response to braking becomes slower. As a result, the wheel more easily goes into a skid, and the car decelerates less effectively, especially on wet, snowy, or uneven roads.
This aligns with the approach of the Traffic Rules regarding technical condition: the driver must not operate a vehicle if its technical state does not ensure road safety. Incorrect tire pressure directly affects driving safety, as it changes grip and handling during braking. For example, during emergency braking on wet asphalt, a car with underinflated tires is more likely to “hydroplane” and requires a longer distance to stop.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes," because insufficient tire pressure worsens grip and wheel stability during braking, which means the car needs more distance to stop.