52.13. What is the maximum speed allowed for a yellow bus transporting an organized group of children on this section of road outside populated areas?
UAЗ якою максимальною швидкістю дозволено рух жовтого автобуса, що перевозить організовану групу дітей, на цій ділянці дороги за межами населених пунктів?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety when driving outside populated areas and special speed limits for vehicles transporting passengers with increased vulnerability. The traffic rules set lower speed limits for certain categories of vehicles to reduce the risk of accidents and the consequences of possible crashes, especially when it comes to transporting children.
The question tests knowledge of Section 12 "Speed of Movement," specifically paragraph 12.6 a). It is important to understand here that for a bus transporting an organized group of children (that is, 10 or more children with an escort), a special speed limit applies outside populated areas. This restriction is prioritized precisely because of the nature of the transport and applies regardless of the fact that a different norm is provided for "regular" buses in the same paragraph.
If we analyze the options, 110 km/h is a typical limit for certain categories of roads for "other vehicles," but not for a bus with an organized group of children. 90 km/h may be associated with the limit for buses (except minibuses), but this rule does not apply to the transportation of organized groups of children, for whom the Traffic Rules of Ukraine set a stricter norm. That is why during the theoretical exam, you should choose the option that corresponds to the special restriction from paragraph 12.6 a), as in practice this directly affects the safe distance, braking distance, and control over the bus on intercity sections.
Clause 12.6 a) (Section 12 "Speed limits")
Outside populated areas on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas marked with sign 5.51 "Start of populated area", movement is allowed at the following speeds:
a) buses (minibuses) transporting organized groups of children, passenger cars with trailers, and motorcycles — no more than 80 km/h;
b) vehicles driven by drivers with less than 2 years of experience — no more than 70 km/h;
c) trucks carrying people in the cargo bed and mopeds — no more than 60 km/h;
d) buses (except minibuses) — no more than 90 km/h;
e) other vehicles: on a highway marked with road sign 5.1 — no more than 130 km/h, on a highway with separate carriageways divided by a median strip — no more than 110 km/h, on other roads — no more than 90 km/h.
Brief application: since this concerns a bus transporting an organized group of children, outside populated areas it is subject to a special speed limit — no more than 80 km/h (subclause "a").
Clause 1.10 (term "Bus")
Bus — a motor vehicle with more than nine seats, including the driver's seat, which by its design and equipment is intended for the carriage of passengers and their luggage with the necessary comfort and safety.
Clause 1.10 (term "Transporting organized groups of children")
Transporting organized groups of children — the simultaneous transportation of ten or more children with a leader responsible for their supervision during the trip (for groups of thirty or more children, an additional medical worker is assigned).
Clause 1.10 (term "Populated area")
Populated area — a built-up area, the entrances to and exits from which are marked with road signs 5.49, 5.50, 5.51, 5.52.
Thus, the correct answer is "80 km/h", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a bus transporting an organized group of children outside populated areas is subject to a specially established speed limit of no more than 80 km/h (clause 12.6 a).
The question concerns a bus transporting an organized group of children, and the movement takes place outside populated areas. That is, we are not dealing with just a “regular bus,” but a bus performing a special type of transportation, for which the Traffic Rules set a separate speed limit.
According to the definitions in the Traffic Rules, a bus is intended for carrying passengers and has more than 9 seats including the driver's seat. Transporting an organized group of children means that 10 or more children are being transported at the same time with a responsible leader (escort). This is exactly the situation described in the question, and it affects the maximum permitted speed.
Next, let’s refer to clause 12.6 a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. It explicitly states that outside populated areas, buses (including minibuses) transporting organized groups of children are allowed to travel at a speed not exceeding 80 km/h. This restriction is special and applies specifically because children are being transported, even if a higher speed may be permitted for regular buses on such roads.
Therefore, the correct answer is “80 km/h,” since according to clause 12.6 a) of the Traffic Rules, a bus transporting an organized group of children outside a populated area has a special speed limit of no more than 80 km/h.