35.98. The driver of a vehicle, approaching pedestrians who are crossing the roadway outside a pedestrian crossing, must:
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about road safety in situations where pedestrians appear on the roadway outside of a designated pedestrian crossing. Even if a pedestrian is crossing in an unauthorized place, the driver's priority is to avoid a collision and prevent an emergency situation, since a pedestrian may suddenly change direction or pace, stop, or fail to notice the vehicle.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding speed and the driver's actions when a danger to traffic arises, specifically the requirements of point 12.3 and the definition of the term "danger to traffic" (p. 1.10). Pedestrians on the roadway are precisely such a danger that the driver is objectively able to detect, so for the theoretical exam it is important to remember the basic algorithm: immediately reduce speed and be ready to stop, rather than "proving your right" on the road.
The analysis of the options in this theoretical exam on traffic rules is straightforward: the correct answer is the one involving reducing speed and being ready for a complete stop, as it directly corresponds to p. 12.3 (reducing speed up to stopping in case of danger). The use of a sound signal is not a mandatory action: it can be used only if necessary to prevent an accident, but it does not replace controlled speed and does not guarantee the correct reaction of the pedestrian. Notifying the police is not an urgent action for the driver at this moment and does not help to avoid a collision, so a combination with such an option also cannot be correct.
Clause 12.3
In case of a traffic hazard or obstacle that the driver can objectively detect, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely bypassing the obstacle for other road users.
Clause 1.10 (term “Traffic hazard”)
Traffic hazard — a change in the road situation (including the appearance of a moving object approaching the vehicle’s lane or a stationary object on the lane) or the technical condition of the vehicle, which threatens road safety and forces the driver to immediately reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or take other measures to ensure road safety.
That is, the correct answer is "Immediately reduce speed and be ready for a complete stop," given that pedestrians on the carriageway create a traffic hazard, and according to clause 12.3, the driver is obliged to immediately reduce speed up to stopping.
When you approach a place where pedestrians are crossing the road outside of a designated pedestrian crossing, the situation automatically becomes potentially dangerous. Even if the pedestrians are technically violating the rules, for the driver, the main priority is not "who is right," but preventing a collision and avoiding the creation of a hazardous situation.
Clause 12.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine requires the driver to act immediately as soon as a danger to traffic or an obstacle that can be objectively detected appears. Pedestrians on the roadway are precisely such a danger: they may change their pace, stop, step back, and in the dark or in poor visibility, the driver may misjudge their distance and speed.
Therefore, the correct tactic for the driver is to immediately reduce speed and prepare to stop completely. For example, if people have already stepped onto your lane or are approaching it, you must reduce your speed so that you can stop in front of them at any moment without abrupt braking and without risking the safety of vehicles behind you. If a pedestrian suddenly speeds up, stumbles, or stops in the middle of the road, having extra time and distance will be crucial.
The sound signal itself is not a mandatory action in this situation. It can be used only if necessary, to attract attention and prevent an accident, but it does not replace the Traffic Rules requirement to reduce speed. The signal does not guarantee that the pedestrian will react correctly, but controlled speed and readiness to stop directly reduce the risk of a collision.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Immediately reduce speed and be prepared to stop completely," because according to clause 12.3, when a danger arises that the driver can notice in advance (pedestrians on the roadway), he is obliged to immediately reduce speed up to the possibility of a complete stop in order to prevent an accident.