61.4. What should the trolleybus driver do first in the event of a tire puncture?
UAЩо в першу чергу потрібно зробити водієві тролейбуса в разі пробиття одного з коліс?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about road safety in the event of a technical malfunction while driving. A punctured tire on a trolleybus is dangerous due to the sudden deterioration of controllability and the risk of creating an obstacle in traffic flow, so the driver's primary actions should be aimed at safely moving the vehicle out of the active lane and clearly warning other road users. These are the very skills tested by the theoretical exam, as they are crucial for avoiding accidents in real city conditions.
According to the content, the traffic rules classify a tire puncture as a situation of forced stop (a term from point 1.10), which means two key requirements: move as far to the right as possible to stop without creating obstacles (point 15.1) and be sure to turn on the hazard warning lights (point 9.10). That is, the correct logic of the answer is that first the driver ensures the safe position of the trolleybus on the road and makes their problem visible to others, and only then proceeds to organizational actions.
If we compare the options, calling the service without first securing the stopping place does not address the main risk here and now: the trolleybus remains a dangerous obstacle on the roadway. The option of moving to the right but focusing on the call also misses the mandatory warning signal for other drivers, which is directly required by the Traffic Rules of Ukraine in the event of a forced stop. In practice, this means: without sharp maneuvers, with control over the trajectory and smooth reduction of speed, you need to take the farthest right position and immediately indicate the situation with hazard warning lights to minimize the risk of rear-end collision and conflicts in traffic flow.
Clause 1.10 (term "Forced stop")
Forced stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle due to its technical condition or danger created by the cargo being transported, the condition of the driver (passenger), or an obstacle on the road.
Clause 1.10 (term "Carriageway")
Carriageway — an element of the road intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Clause 1.10 (term "Shoulder")
Shoulder — an element of the road that adjoins the carriageway at the same level, not intended for vehicle movement (except in cases provided for by these Rules), but may be used for stopping and parking.
Clause 9.10
The hazard warning lights must be switched on: in the event of a forced stop on the road.
Clause 15.1
Stopping and parking of vehicles must be carried out in specially designated places or on the shoulder, and in the absence of or inability to stop on it — near the right edge of the carriageway (as far to the right as possible), without creating obstacles for other road users.
That is, the correct answer is "Pull as far as possible to the right edge of the carriageway and turn on the hazard warning lights," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, a punctured tire is a technical malfunction (this is a "forced stop"), and in the event of a forced stop, the vehicle must be moved as far to the right as possible for safety (stopping requirements) and the hazard warning lights must be switched on.
A punctured wheel on a trolleybus is dangerous because control is sharply reduced, and the vehicle itself is large and moves in the general traffic flow. Therefore, the main task of the driver in the first seconds is not to create an emergency situation for themselves or other road users and to indicate the forced problem as quickly as possible.
According to the logic of the Traffic Rules requirements regarding stopping in case of malfunction and the rules for using warning signals, the driver must organize a safe forced stop: avoid sudden maneuvers, maintain the direction of movement, smoothly reduce speed, and move the trolleybus out of the active part of the flow. The best option is to shift to the right as much as the road situation allows, in order to minimize the obstacle for others.
At the same time, it is necessary to turn on the hazard warning lights. This is a direct way to warn other drivers that the vehicle is moving or stopping due to a malfunction and may perform atypical actions (slowing down, moving to the edge). Such early warning reduces the risk of a rear-end collision and helps other participants to timely change their trajectory or distance.
Only after the trolleybus has safely taken a position further to the right and has become visible to others thanks to the hazard lights, can you proceed to further organizational actions (ensuring passenger safety, notifying responsible services, etc.). But the exam question concerns the very first step — the immediate provision of safety on the road.
Thus, the correct answer is "Move as far as possible to the right edge of the carriageway and turn on the hazard warning lights," since the priority is to safely remove the trolleybus from the flow and warn other road users about the forced malfunction.