8.1.23. How should you act in this situation if a police officer signals you to stop?
UAЯк Ви повинні діяти в цій ситуації, якщо співробітник поліції подає Вам сигнал про зупинку?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine checks the understanding of priorities in traffic control and the safe behavior of a driver when stopping at the request of the police. In real situations, a driver may see prohibitory signs and a yellow road marking line, which usually do not allow stopping, but at the same time receive a signal from a police officer. The ability to correctly determine whose requirements take precedence directly affects safety and the outcome of the theoretical exam.
The question relates to the sections of the traffic rules about regulator signals and complying with the requirement to stop (points 8.3 and 8.9 of the Traffic Rules). The logic is as follows: the requirements of a police officer as a regulator take priority over road signs and markings, so the driver must stop even where it is usually prohibited by sign 3.34 or marking 1.4. At the same time, the Traffic Rules clearly specify that you must stop not 'where convenient,' but at the place indicated by the police officer, while observing the general rules for stopping (without creating obstacles or danger).
The analysis of the options in this exam question is simple: the correct one is where the driver stops at the indicated place and does so according to the rules, as required by point 8.9. The option to stop only on the left side does not comply with the Traffic Rules, because the place is determined by the police officer, not the driver at their own discretion. The option 'to stop directly next to the police officer' is also incorrect: a sudden stop next to them can be dangerous and does not fulfill the requirement to stop exactly at the specified point, which is important to remember when preparing for the theoretical traffic rules exam.
Clause 8.3
“The signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic light signals and the requirements of road signs and are mandatory for execution. Traffic light signals, except for the flashing yellow, take precedence over priority road signs. Drivers and pedestrians must also comply with additional requirements of the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic light signals, road signs, and road markings.”
Brief application: the requirement of a police officer (as a traffic controller) to stop is mandatory and takes precedence over a prohibitory sign and a yellow road marking line if their requirement contradicts them.
Clause 8.9
“The requirement to stop a vehicle is given by a police officer using: a) a signaling disc with a red signal or reflector or a hand pointing to the relevant vehicle and the further place of its stop; b) an activated blue and red or only red flashing beacon and/or a special sound signal; c) a special display board indicating the requirement to stop the vehicle. The driver must stop the vehicle at the indicated place in compliance with the stopping rules.”
Brief application: the driver must stop exactly at the place indicated by the police officer and perform the stop without violating the stopping rules (as far as possible in the specific conditions).
Clause 33.3.34 — 33 “Road Signs”, 3 “Prohibitory Signs”, sign 3.34 “Stopping Prohibited”
“Stopping is prohibited.”
Brief application: the sign prohibits stopping, however, in this situation the police officer’s requirement has higher priority (clause 8.3), and the place of stopping is determined by the police officer’s indication (clause 8.9).
Clause 34.1.4 — 34 “Road Markings”, 1 “Horizontal Markings”, marking 1.4
“Yellow solid line — indicates places where stopping of vehicles is prohibited.”
Brief application: the marking prohibits stopping along the curb, but if there is a police officer’s requirement, the driver complies with it as having priority (clause 8.3) and stops at the indicated place (clause 8.9).
That is, the correct answer is: “Stop your vehicle at the place indicated to you, in compliance with the stopping rules,” given that, according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the police officer’s requirement to stop is mandatory, takes precedence over signs/markings, and provides for stopping at the place indicated by the officer in compliance with the stopping rules (clauses 8.3, 8.9).
In this situation, you can see that a prohibitory sign is installed on the right and a solid yellow line is marked along the curb, which means that stopping in this place is usually prohibited. However, at the same time, a police officer is signaling you to stop.
According to the Traffic Rules, the instructions of a traffic controller (including a police officer who is regulating traffic or giving mandatory signals) take higher priority than road signs and markings. That is, if a police officer requires you to stop, you must comply with this requirement even if it contradicts a sign or marking that would normally prohibit stopping.
It is also important to correctly fulfill the requirement to stop. Clause 8.9 of the Traffic Rules explains that a police officer may signal with a hand, a signaling disc, flashing beacons, or a special display, and in this case the driver must stop exactly at the place indicated. That means you should not stop "where it is convenient" or brake sharply right under the sign; you need to safely reduce your speed and stop where the police officer directs you, following the general rules for stopping (not creating obstacles or danger for other road users).
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Stop your vehicle at the place indicated to you, in compliance with the stopping rules," since the police officer's requirement takes precedence over signs and markings, and clause 8.9 obliges you to stop at the indicated place, performing the stop safely and according to the rules.