8.1.49. Which driver violated the Traffic Rules by stopping at the prohibitory signal of the traffic light?
UAХто з водіїв порушив Правила дорожнього руху, зупинившись на заборонний сигнал світлофора?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning safety at regulated intersections and the correct procedure for stopping at a traffic light's prohibitive signal. In real traffic, it is important not only to stop at a red light, but to do so at the designated place, so as not to obstruct pedestrians or enter into conflicting paths with other vehicles.
The theoretical driving exam often includes questions checking knowledge of traffic light signals and the requirement to stop. Here, key points are sections 8.7.3 and 8.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, as well as the concept of horizontal marking 1.12 (stop line): on a red signal, movement is prohibited, and the driver is required to stop precisely before the stop line. If marking 1.12 is present, it defines the boundary that must not be crossed when stopping.
In a situation with two vehicles, the truck driver acts correctly because he stops before the stop line and complies with section 8.10. In contrast, the car driver stopped after the stop line, meaning he actually passed the mandatory stopping place at the prohibitive signal, and this is considered a violation. Practically, this mistake is also dangerous because the car may end up in the path of turning large vehicles or closer to the pedestrian crossing, increasing the risk of an accident.
Clause 8.7.3 (traffic light signals)
“Traffic light signals have the following meanings: ... a red signal, including a flashing one, or two red flashing signals prohibit movement.”
Clause 8.10
“If a signal prohibiting movement is given by a traffic light (except a reversible one) or a traffic controller, drivers must stop before road marking 1.12 (stop line), road sign 5.69 'Stopping place'; if these are absent — no closer than 10 m from the nearest rail before a railway crossing, before the traffic light, pedestrian crossing, and if these are also absent and in all other cases — before the carriageway, without creating obstacles for pedestrian movement.”
Application to the situation: at a prohibitory (red) signal, you must stop exactly before stop line 1.12; stopping beyond the stop line is a violation.
Clause 34.1 — 34 “Road markings”, 1 “Horizontal markings”, marking 1.12 (stop line)
“1.12 (stop line) — indicates the place where the driver must stop if sign 2.2 'No entry without stopping' is present or at a traffic light or controller signal that prohibits movement.”
Application to the situation: if 1.12 is applied at the approach to an intersection, stopping must be done before it; stopping a passenger car beyond 1.12 constitutes a violation.
That is, the correct answer is “The driver of the passenger car.”, given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, at a prohibitory (red) signal, you must stop before marking 1.12 (stop line), and the passenger car stopped beyond it.
The image shows a regulated intersection where both drivers have a red traffic light. The red signal prohibits movement, so drivers are required to stop at the designated place, not just "somewhere before the intersection."
According to paragraph 8.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, when a prohibitive signal is given, the driver must stop before the stop line (marking 1.12), and if there is none—then at another place defined by the Rules (before the traffic light, crosswalk, etc.). That is, the stop line has priority and it determines the boundary beyond which you cannot cross when stopping at a red light.
In this situation, the truck complied with the requirement: it stopped before the stop line without crossing it. The passenger car stopped after the stop line, that is, it actually passed the place where it should have stopped at the prohibitive signal. This is a violation.
In addition to the formal violation itself, such a stop beyond the stop line can create danger: vehicles making a turn (especially large ones) need more space, and a car that "creeps" past the stop line may end up in their path.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The driver of the passenger car," since at the prohibitive signal he stopped beyond the stop line, although he should have stopped before marking 1.12 in accordance with paragraph 8.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.