7.6. Is it allowed to drive a herd of animals on the road during hours of darkness?
UAЧи дозволено переганяти стадо тварин по дорозі в темну пору доби?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning road safety when animals appear on the roadway, as the risk of accidents sharply increases due to the unpredictable behavior of the herd and the difficulty in assessing distance and approach speed. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that such situations are regulated by specific requirements of the traffic rules, since even a brief obstacle in the lane can create danger for drivers, pedestrians, and the animals themselves.
The question tests knowledge of Section 7 "Movement of animal-drawn vehicles and herding of animals," specifically clause 7.6, which directly defines the time limits when herding a herd on the road is allowed. Additionally, the term from clause 1.10 is used: "dark time of day" lasts from sunset to sunrise, that is, it is during this period that the prohibition applies. The logic of the rule is simple: in the dark, it is difficult to see animals in time, and it is practically impossible to reliably mark and control the herd on the road.
If we analyze the answer options, the statement about the possibility of herding provided there are "at least three drovers" is not suitable, because the requirement regarding the number of drovers does not override the time-of-day restriction; moreover, the rule about "at least three" applies to specific situations (for example, organizing safe herding across a railway crossing), not to permission for movement at night. The option about permission on unpaved roads is also incorrect: clause 7.6 does not make exceptions depending on the type of road, but ties the possibility of herding specifically to daylight hours and the absence of danger or obstacles for other road users. Therefore, the only conclusion according to the traffic rules is unambiguous: herding a herd on the road during dark hours is not allowed.
Clause 7.6 (Section 7 "Movement of horse-drawn vehicles and herding of animals")
Herding animals on the road is allowed only during daylight hours, with a sufficient number of herders involved to guide the animals as close as possible to the right edge of the road and not create danger or obstacles for other road users.
This clause directly restricts herding a herd on the road to daylight hours only, therefore such action is prohibited during hours of darkness.
Clause 1.10 (term "Hours of darkness")
Hours of darkness — the part of the day from sunset to sunrise.
This definition is needed to clearly establish when the prohibition from clause 7.6 applies.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," given that according to the traffic rules, hours of darkness last from sunset to sunrise, and clause 7.6 allows herding animals on the road only during daylight hours.
When preparing for the exam, it is important to understand that herding a flock along the road is considered a separate dangerous situation, since animals can unpredictably change direction, stop, or enter the traffic lane.
The Traffic Rules clearly link the possibility of herding a flock with the time of day. “Dark hours” as defined in the Traffic Rules last from sunset to sunrise. It is during this period that the driver has significantly worse visibility, and animals on the roadway become especially dangerous because they are difficult to notice in time and to correctly judge the distance to them.
Clause 7.6 of the Traffic Rules states that herding a flock along the road is allowed only during daylight hours and provided there are enough drovers who can keep the animals closer to the right edge of the road and not create danger for other road users. The logic of the rule is simple: in daylight it is easier to control the flock and notice obstacles in advance, and drivers can react predictably.
During dark hours, the risk increases sharply: an animal on the road may be seen too late, it may suddenly step out in front of a car, and organizing a safe herd crossing at night is practically impossible. Therefore, the Traffic Rules do not allow such herding precisely because of the danger and the likelihood of creating an obstacle to traffic.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since according to clause 7.6 of the Traffic Rules, herding a flock along the road is allowed only during daylight hours, and during dark hours this creates increased danger due to insufficient visibility.