7.7. Is it allowed for persons driving animal-drawn vehicles and animal drivers to move on state highways?
UAЧи дозволено особам, які керують гужовим транспортом, і погоничам тварин пересуватися автомобільними дорогами державного значення?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety and the distribution of traffic flows by road type. On state highways, speeds are usually higher and traffic is more intense, so slow participants such as animal-drawn vehicles or animals create an increased risk of traffic accidents and obstacles for other drivers. Understanding this logic is important for the theoretical exam, as such restrictions directly affect route selection and the overall predictability of traffic.
The question tests knowledge of Section 7 of the Traffic Rules regarding the operation of animal-drawn vehicles and the driving of animals, specifically the requirements of clause 7.7 a). This provision directly establishes a prohibition on the movement of animal-drawn carts (sledges) and the driving of animals on state highways, while simultaneously suggesting a safer alternative: whenever possible, use local roads, where speeds and traffic density are usually lower.
When analyzing the answer options, the statement about permission only during daylight hours does not correspond to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, because the restriction here does not depend on the time of day, but is determined by the category of the road. The option about permission if reflectors are present is also incorrect: reflectors may be a requirement for marking, but do not cancel the direct prohibition of movement on such roads. Therefore, the correct approach to preparing for the theoretical exam is to remember that the key criterion is specifically the state highway, for which the Traffic Rules establish a ban on animal-drawn vehicles and animal drivers.
Clause 7.7 a) (Section 7 “Driving Animal-Drawn Vehicles and Herding Animals”)
Persons driving animal-drawn vehicles and animal herders are prohibited from: a) moving along state highways (where possible, local roads should be used).
Explanation of application: this particular subclause directly establishes the prohibition of movement of animal-drawn vehicles and herding of animals on state highways, and at the same time indicates the recommended alternative — local roads.
Clause 1.10 (term “Animal-Drawn Cart (Sleigh)”)
Animal-drawn cart (sleigh) — a vehicle driven by an animal.
Clause 1.10 (term “Animal Herder”)
Animal herder — a person who drives animals (drives, leads, accompanies them) on the road.
Thus, the correct answer is “Prohibited (if possible, one should use local roads),” given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the prohibition is directly established by clause 7.7 a) for persons driving animal-drawn vehicles and animal herders regarding state highways.
State highways are intended for intensive traffic, and higher speed limits are usually set on them. That is why any road users who move slowly or unpredictably create increased danger and significant obstacles to the flow on such roads.
Horse-drawn vehicles and animals move much slower than motor vehicles, and their behavior can be difficult to predict. For example, when overtaking a cart on a high-speed road, drivers need to sharply reduce speed and change lanes, and an animal may be frightened by noise or a horn and move to the side. This increases the risk of accidents and complicates movement for other drivers.
Therefore, the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly set restrictions: according to clause 7.7 (a), the movement of horse-drawn carts (sledges) and the driving of livestock on state highways is not allowed. If a person needs to reach a certain settlement or agricultural facility, they should choose other routes, primarily local roads, where the intensity and speed of traffic are usually lower.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited (if possible, one should use local roads)", since the Traffic Rules (clause 7.7 (a)) prohibit horse-drawn vehicles and the driving of animals on state highways due to higher speeds and traffic intensity, which create danger and obstacles.