48.71. Under what condition is towing with a rigid tow bar permitted for a vehicle with a faulty braking system?
UAЗа якої умови дозволене буксирування на жорсткому зчепленні транспортного засобу з несправною гальмовою системою?
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This is a driving exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning safety during towing when one vehicle moves another using a rigid tow bar. In such a situation, it is especially critical to consider the condition of the brakes of the towed vehicle, because if the braking system is faulty, the main burden of deceleration and stopping falls on the towing vehicle. That is why the traffic rules set clear restrictions to avoid increased stopping distances, loss of control, and the risk of collision.
The question tests knowledge of Section 23 "Towing," specifically clause 23.10 (a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: the prohibition applies when the actual mass of the vehicle with faulty brakes exceeds half the actual mass of the towing vehicle. Therefore, the correct approach in the theoretical exam is to understand the mass ratio: towing with a rigid tow bar is allowed only if the towed vehicle is sufficiently light; otherwise, it will "push" the towing vehicle during braking.
The analysis of the answer options in this exam question is straightforward. The statement about the sufficiency of a working parking brake does not meet the requirements of the traffic rules: the handbrake does not replace the service braking system and does not cancel the mass restriction. The option "always allowed" is also incorrect, because the traffic rules explicitly establish a prohibition under certain conditions. Instead, the correct option is the requirement that the actual mass of the towed vehicle must not exceed half the actual mass of the towing vehicle, as this is the key condition for safe towing with faulty brakes.
Clause 23.10 a) (Section 23 "Towing")
Towing is prohibited: a) if the actual mass of the towed vehicle with a faulty braking system (or in its absence) exceeds half of the actual mass of the towing vehicle.
Brief application: from this it follows that towing with a rigid coupling of a vehicle with a faulty braking system is allowed only when the actual mass of the towed vehicle does not exceed half of the actual mass of the towing vehicle.
Clause 1.10 (term "Towing")
Towing — the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle, which does not refer to the operation of road trains (vehicle combinations) using a rigid or flexible coupling or by partial loading onto a platform or special supporting device.
Brief application: the term defines that the question refers specifically to the movement of one vehicle by another using a coupling, to which the special conditions/prohibitions of Section 23 apply.
That is, the correct answer is "Provided that the actual mass of the towed vehicle does not exceed half of the actual mass of the towing vehicle," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, towing is prohibited when the mass of a vehicle with faulty brakes exceeds 1/2 the mass of the towing vehicle, and therefore is only permitted within this condition.
Towing according to the Traffic Rules is the movement of one vehicle by another using a coupling (including a rigid one). When the towed vehicle has a faulty or missing braking system, the main responsibility for stopping and maintaining speed actually falls on the towing vehicle.
That is why clause 23.10 (a) of the Traffic Rules sets a restriction related to weight: if the towed vehicle with faulty brakes is too heavy, the driver of the towing vehicle may not be able to handle braking, especially on descents, in heavy traffic, or during emergency stops. In such a situation, the heavier "passenger" will push the towing vehicle during braking, creating a real risk of loss of control and increased stopping distance.
Therefore, towing with a rigid coupling of a vehicle with a faulty braking system is allowed only when it is sufficiently lighter compared to the towing vehicle. For example, if the towing vehicle actually weighs 2000 kg, then the towed vehicle with faulty brakes must weigh no more than 1000 kg. If the towed vehicle weighs 1200 kg, such towing is already prohibited because the permissible limit is exceeded.
Thus, the correct answer is "Provided that the actual mass of the towed vehicle does not exceed half the actual mass of the towing vehicle," since the Traffic Rules (clause 23.10 a) allow such towing only if the lighter towed vehicle does not create a critical risk during braking due to faulty brakes.