4.18. In which direction is it permitted for organized groups of people to move along the carriageway?
UAВ якому напрямку дозволено рухатися організованим групам людей проїзною частиною?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in situations where pedestrians are forced to be on the carriageway. An organized group of people (a column) is less maneuverable than a single pedestrian, so the traffic rules establish a clear and predictable order of movement for such groups, allowing drivers to assess the situation in advance, safely bypass the column, and avoid dangerous close encounters.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the duties and rules for pedestrians, specifically item 4.5, as well as understanding the term "carriageway" from item 1.10. The rule is unambiguous: a column may move along the road only in the same direction as vehicles, in formation of no more than four persons in a row, and provided that it does not occupy more than half the width of the carriageway in one direction. Additionally, the column must be marked by escorts on the left side at the front and rear (10–15 m): during the day with red flags, at night or in poor visibility with lanterns (white in front, red at the rear).
During the theoretical exam, it is important not to confuse this situation with the rule for single pedestrians moving against the flow outside populated areas: for organized groups, a different requirement applies — movement only in the direction of traffic flow. Therefore, options allowing movement against the flow or "in any direction" contradict item 4.5 and create unpredictability for drivers, as well as increase the risk of conflicts on the road. In practice, this rule helps minimize congestion and ensures safe passage for vehicles, especially on narrow sections of the road.
Clause 4.5
The movement of organized groups of people on the road is allowed only in the direction of traffic, in a column of no more than four people in a row, provided that the column does not occupy more than half the width of the carriageway in one direction. At a distance of 10–15 m in front of and behind the column, there must be escorts with red flags on the left side, and during hours of darkness or in conditions of insufficient visibility — with lit lanterns: white in front, red in the rear.
This clause directly defines the direction of movement of organized groups of people on the carriageway: only in the direction of traffic, in a column (up to 4 people in a row).
Clause 1.10 (term "Carriageway")
Carriageway — an element of the road intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles. A road may have several carriageways, the boundaries of which are dividing strips.
This definition clarifies that it refers specifically to movement on the element of the road intended for vehicles, therefore the requirement of clause 4.5 regarding the direction of movement (as for vehicles) is key.
Thus, the correct answer is "Only in the direction of traffic, in a column of no more than four people in a row," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 4.5 directly allows the movement of organized groups of people on the carriageway only in the direction of traffic and sets a limit of up to 4 people in a row.
When an organized group of people is forced to move along the carriageway, it becomes a participant in road traffic, directly interacting with vehicles. Therefore, the Rules establish a clear procedure for such a column so that drivers can predictably and safely bypass it, and the column itself does not create unnecessary obstacles.
According to clause 4.5 of the Traffic Rules, the movement of organized groups of people on the road is permitted only in the same direction as vehicles are moving. In practice, this means: if the lane is intended for vehicles to move forward, then the column must also move in the same direction. This approach makes the situation more predictable for drivers, as the column does not go against the flow and does not provoke dangerous close encounters.
In addition to the direction, the Rules limit the way the column is formed: no more than four people in a row. This is necessary so that the column does not occupy excessive width of the carriageway in one direction and leaves room for vehicles to pass. For example, if people line up 6–8 in a row, they can block a significant part of the lane, and it will be difficult for drivers to safely bypass such an obstacle.
Thus, the correct answer is "Only in the direction of vehicle traffic, in a column of no more than four people in a row," since clause 4.5 of the Traffic Rules allows the movement of an organized group along the carriageway only if they move in the direction of the traffic flow and with the restriction of the column formation to four people in a row for safety and to minimize obstacles.