48.72. Under what conditions are persons accompanying cargo or following it permitted to ride in the cargo bed of a truck?
UAЗа яких умов особам, які супроводжують вантаж або їдуть за ним, дозволений проїзд у кузові вантажного автомобіля?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safety of transporting people in cargo vehicles and the situations when the presence of passengers in the cargo bed is permitted at all. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that a cargo vehicle is, by definition, intended for transporting goods, so the transportation of people in the cargo bed is an exception and is regulated by strict requirements of the traffic rules.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding passenger transportation, specifically the requirements of clause 21.10 (in conjunction with 21.6). The regulation allows travel in the cargo bed of a truck not equipped for passenger transport only for those accompanying the cargo or following it, and only if there are seats installed in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Rules and safety regulations. Additionally, the rule sets a limitation: the total number of people in the cargo bed and the cab must not exceed 8 persons.
The first option is correct because it directly reproduces the key legal condition: the seats must not be just "any" seats, but installed and positioned in accordance with the requirements of the traffic rules. The second option is incorrect due to the wording "any seats": makeshift benches, seats on the sides or on the cargo itself do not guarantee compliance with clause 21.6 and do not make the transportation legal, even if, subjectively, "safety measures are observed." In practice, this knowledge helps to avoid dangerous transportation, fines, and injuries during movement, braking, or maneuvers.
Clause 21.10
"Riding in the cargo bed of a truck not equipped for passenger transport is permitted only for persons accompanying the cargo or following it, provided they are provided with seats arranged in accordance with the requirements of clause 21.6 of these Rules and safety regulations. The number of passengers in the cargo bed and the cab must not exceed 8 persons."
Brief application: this clause specifically sets the condition under which persons accompanying the cargo or following it are allowed to ride in the cargo bed of a truck (the presence of seats arranged according to the requirements of the Traffic Rules), and also limits the total number of passengers in the cargo bed and cab.
Clause 1.10 (the term "Truck")
"Truck — a vehicle that, by its design and equipment, is intended for the carriage of cargo."
Brief application: clarifies to which type of vehicle the requirement of clause 21.10 regarding riding in the cargo bed applies.
That is, the correct answer is "Provided they are supplied with seats arranged in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Rules," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, riding in the cargo bed of a truck not equipped for passenger transport is allowed only for those accompanying the cargo (or those following it) if properly arranged seats are available (clause 21.10).
A cargo truck is designed for transporting goods, not passengers. Therefore, the presence of people in its cargo bed is generally an exception to the rule and is allowed only in clearly defined cases by the Traffic Rules.
Clause 21.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine states that only persons accompanying the cargo or following it may ride in the cargo bed of a truck that is not equipped for passenger transport. However, even for these individuals, riding in the cargo bed is not simply "permitted"—first and foremost, safe conditions must be ensured.
The key safety condition here is as follows: people must be provided with seats, and these seats must be arranged in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Rules (taking into account the requirements of clause 21.6) and safety regulations. In practice, this means that passengers cannot ride standing, sit on the sides or on the cargo, or be positioned in such a way that they could be shaken, thrown off, or injured while the vehicle is moving.
For example, if a driver is transporting materials and workers are accompanying this cargo, their ride in the cargo bed is only possible if proper seats are provided in the bed, installed as required by the Rules. If there are no properly equipped seats in the cargo bed, transporting people there would be a violation.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Provided that they are supplied with seats arranged in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Rules," since the Traffic Rules allow those accompanying the cargo to ride in the cargo bed only as an exception and only if properly equipped seats are available.