35.78. The greatest danger of large-sized vehicles is that they:
UAНайбільша небезпека великогабаритних транспортних засобів у тому, що вони:
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about road safety when interacting with trucks, buses, and road trains. Its purpose is to ensure that future drivers understand: the greatest risks near large vehicles are often not related to speed or “worse” brakes, but to the fact that the driver of such a vehicle physically cannot see part of the space around them. It is precisely due to limited visibility that the likelihood of dangerous situations increases during overtaking, driving in dense traffic, on multi-lane roads, and when maneuvering.
The question tests sections of the traffic rules related to visibility and safe maneuvering: terminology (point 1.10 “Limited visibility”), driver responsibilities (point 2.3), requirements before starting to move and changing lanes (point 10.1), reversing with possible assistance (point 10.9), as well as choosing a safe distance and interval (point 13.1). This logic is often tested in the theoretical exam: if part of the space “falls out” of the field of view, the driver may not notice a car, motorcycle, cyclist, or pedestrian, even with mirrors.
The correct answer about large “blind spots” explains the key danger: high cabins, long bodies, or trailers have areas in front, on the sides, and behind that cannot be seen directly or in mirrors, so the risk of collision during lane changes or turns increases. Options about the absence of side mirrors or rearview mirrors are incorrect, because large vehicles are usually equipped with several mirrors, but the design still leaves “blind spots.” The statement about ineffective brakes also does not reflect the essence: their braking distance may be longer due to mass, but in this task, the main risk factor being tested is limited visibility.
The practical conclusion for a driver preparing for the theoretical exam on the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: do not stay alongside a large vehicle for a long time, maintain a safe interval, and overtake in such a way as to quickly leave the area where you are not visible. Be especially attentive when a truck begins to change lanes or reverse: the driver may be maneuvering without having full information about the situation in the blind spots.
Clause 1.10 (term "Limited visibility")
Limited visibility — the visibility of the road in the direction of travel, restricted by the terrain, geometric parameters of the road, vegetation, buildings, structures, vehicles, etc.
This term directly leads to the essence of "blind spots": in large vehicles, due to their structural features and dimensions, there are areas of space that are actually not controlled by the driver (limited visibility).
Clause 2.3 (driver's duties)
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 the load, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving this vehicle while on the road.
Knowledge of this clause is tested through the need for the driver (and for other participants — to understand the limitations of the driver of a large vehicle) to constantly monitor the situation as much as visibility allows and to take its limitations into account.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, or making any change in the direction of travel, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
This clause is directly related to "blind spots": if part of the space around a large vehicle is not visible, the driver must take this into account before starting to move/changing lanes/turning.
Clause 10.9
When reversing, the driver must not create danger or obstacles for other road users. To ensure traffic safety, if necessary, the driver must seek the assistance of other persons.
This is a key provision that actually "fixes" the problem of blind spots in the Traffic Rules: if visibility is insufficient (which is typical for trucks/large vehicles), the driver must ensure safety, including by seeking the help of others.
Clause 13.1
The driver, depending on the speed, road conditions, cargo characteristics, and the condition of the vehicle, must maintain a safe distance and safe interval.
This clause is tested indirectly: large vehicles have significant "blind spots", so other participants must understand the increased danger of driving nearby and maintain a safe interval/distance, and the driver of a large vehicle must choose such intervals so that maneuvering does not create danger.
That is, the correct answer is "They have large 'blind spots'.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, limited visibility is a safety factor, and the rules on maneuvering (10.1) and reversing with possible assistance (10.9) directly require taking into account the zones that the driver cannot see.
When you see a large vehicle (truck, road train, bus) on the road, it is important to understand that the main risk is not so much its weight or length, but the fact that the driver of such a vehicle cannot fully control the space around them. A high cab, a long body or trailer, and design features create areas that are not visible either directly or in the mirrors.
According to the Traffic Rules, the general principle of safety is that the driver must constantly monitor the traffic situation and perform maneuvers only after making sure they are safe. However, if part of the space is effectively “out of sight,” the likelihood increases that a car, motorcycle, cyclist, or pedestrian may be nearby, whom the driver of a large vehicle simply does not see. This is the most dangerous aspect: another road user may be close, but remain invisible to the driver.
In practice, this manifests as follows: behind the truck, there is a zone the driver cannot control because of the body or trailer; on the sides, especially near the cab, there are areas that may not be visible in the mirrors; and in front, under the cab, there is also space where low objects or even a pedestrian may be unnoticed. Therefore, for example, when a truck is changing lanes, a passenger car in the adjacent lane may end up in the “blind spot,” and the truck driver may start the maneuver, sincerely unaware that the lane is already occupied.
Because of these visibility limitations, the rules and practical safety require increased caution when driving near such vehicles: do not “hang” alongside, maintain a safe distance, and when overtaking, do so in a way that you leave the area where you are not visible as quickly as possible. It is also telling that when reversing in difficult conditions, drivers often need the help of others, since it is hard to fully control the space behind using only mirrors.
Therefore, the correct answer is "They have large 'blind spots'," because due to limited visibility by design, the driver of a large vehicle may not see other road users nearby or behind, which directly increases the risk of collision during maneuvers.