40.2. Which of the drivers is allowed to drive at a higher speed?
UAКому з водіїв дозволено рух з більш високою швидкістю?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of safe speed limits in areas with increased caution requirements. In residential neighborhoods, courtyards, and places where the presence of pedestrians and children is likely, even a small speed excess sharply increases the braking distance and the risk of collision, so the traffic rules establish separate, stricter limits.
The task relates to the section of the Traffic Rules about speed limits and road signs, specifically the effect of sign 5.34 "Residential Area" and the requirements of clause 12.5. In the theoretical exam, it is important to be able to determine that after entering a residential area, special conditions apply to the entire marked territory, and the main restriction here is the same for all vehicles: speed no more than 20 km/h.
Options where speed advantage is given to a motorcycle or car are incorrect, because in a residential area the type of vehicle does not change the established rule. The correct option is the one with a general restriction for both, since clause 12.5 directly sets a single speed limit in residential and pedestrian zones regardless of who "can usually go faster."
Practically, this means: if you see sign 5.34 or are already within this territory—keep your speed up to 20 km/h and exercise increased caution until you leave the residential area (sign 5.35). This understanding helps to correctly answer exam questions and safely drive a car in urban residential areas.
Clause 12.5
In residential and pedestrian zones, the speed must not exceed 20 km/h.
Clause 33.5.34 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and guiding signs", sign 5.34 "Residential zone"
Indicates entry into a territory where special traffic conditions established by these Rules apply. The sign applies to the entire area it marks.
Clause 1.10 (term "Residential zone")
Residential zone — a part of a populated area marked with road signs 5.34 "Residential zone" and 5.35 "End of residential zone".
That is, the correct answer is "The speed of both must not exceed 20 km/h," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, within a residential zone marked by sign 5.34, a speed limit of 20 km/h applies to all vehicles (clause 12.5).
When solving this question, you first need to determine in which zone the drivers are moving. The diagram shows that the entrance to the area is marked with sign 5.34 "Residential area." This means that the vehicles are already within the residential area, and therefore, special requirements established by the Rules apply to them.
Next, we apply clause 12.5 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: in residential and pedestrian zones, the speed limit is no more than 20 km/h. This restriction does not depend on the type of vehicle or on which of the drivers "can drive faster" under normal conditions. Within the residential area, the rule is the same for everyone: passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles must not exceed the established speed limit.
In practice, this means that even if the road seems free and safe, or one of the drivers is moving "along the main trajectory," in a residential area, the speed must still be kept within 20 km/h until leaving this zone.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The speed of both must not exceed 20 km/h," since in a residential area, according to clause 12.5 of the Traffic Rules, a single speed limit applies to all vehicles.