New traffic rules come into force in Ukraine

The new wording of traffic rules, which was approved by the government on February 11, 2013, has come into force in Ukraine.

According to the State Service of Ukraine for Regulatory Policy and Entrepreneurship Development, the new rules envisage a number of innovations.

In particular, it is envisaged that in the period from October 1 to May 1, vehicles must move beyond cities, towns and villages in the daytime with daytime running lights or low beams turned on. This measure is intended to reduce the risk of accidents on out-of-city roads.

At the same time, the hours of darkness under the new rules are «the period of the day from sunset to sunrise» (it was earlier envisaged that this is a period from the end of twilight (30 minutes after sunset) to the beginning of morning twilight (30 minutes before sunrise)).

The changes also concern the technical means of traffic regulation. In particular, the rules introduce European models of road signs (more than 20 of them) and road marking, which will now be of five colors: white, yellow, blue, orange and white and red.

Under the new rules, road signs have an advantage over road marking and must be clearly visible. They should be placed no higher than six meters above the ground and they must be visible at a distance of 100 meters.

The provision that it is possible to overtake the vehicle only on the left has been removed from the traffic rules.

In addition, it is planned to strengthen requirements for movement past vehicles carrying children. Drivers who are moving on the neighboring lane must necessarily reduce speed and, if necessary, to stop in order to avoid hitting children coming out of the bus.

Meanwhile, the traffic rules introduce such new terms as «lawn,» «island of safety,» «daytime running lights,» «maneuvering,» «traffic controller,» «improved road surface.»

Adapted from Ukrinform