“It’s not a circle for a mad dog”: decoding the phrase, traffic rules and fines for violation

Phrase “It’s not a circle for a mad dog” - this is not an official term from the traffic rules, but a slang expression that drivers and traffic police inspectors use to describe prohibition of overtaking across a continuous line of markings in the sign's coverage areas 3.20 “Overtaking is prohibited”. Most often, it is used when the driver tries to justify the maneuver by saying that “he was overtaking not a car, but a motorcycle/bicycle/drawn cart” - they say that the rules do not apply to such vehicles. This is a dangerous misconception: according to clause 9.1(1) of the traffic rules, you cannot overtake any vehicles across the solid road, regardless of their type.

The problem is that many drivers take this phrase literally and believe that exceptions can be made for “inferior” road users (for example, slow-moving agricultural vehicles or horse-drawn carts). In practice, such overtaking qualifies as driving into the oncoming lane in violation of the markings, which threatens deprivation of rights for 4–6 months (Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Administrative Code). In this article we will look at where this phrase came from, how the courts interpret it, and why even a “mad dog” does not justify a violation.

Origin of the phrase: myth or real rule?

Expression “It’s not a circle for a mad dog” appeared in driver's slang back in Soviet times, when horse-drawn carts, bicycles and other “non-standard” equipment were often seen on the roads. There are several versions of its origin:

• 📜 The legend about the driving school instructor: supposedly one of the teachers jokingly told the cadets that the “No overtaking” sign does not apply to “mad dogs and cows” so that they would remember that the rules apply everyone TS.
• 🚜 Agricultural context: In the 1970s and 1980s, tractors and combines often drove on the highways at a speed of 10–15 km/h, and drivers of passenger cars risked overtaking them through a continuous road, citing the “exceptionalism” of the situation.
• ⚖️ Judicial practice: in some regions, inspectors actually turned a blind eye to overtaking slow-moving vehicles (for example, horses), if the maneuver did not create an emergency situation. Over time, this transformed into a “rule”.

Today the phrase has become a meme, but its literal understanding leads to real fines. For example, in 2023 the court sudact.ru considered the case of a driver from the Rostov region who overtook a tractor through a continuous road, citing a “mad dog.” The judge rejected the argument, referring to clause 1.2 of the traffic rules, which clearly states that vehicle is a “device designed for the transport of people/goods,” which means that even a horse-drawn cart is prohibited.

⚠️ Attention: The Code of Administrative Offenses does not contain the concept of “overtaking due to exceptional circumstances.” If you have crossed a solid road to go around any A vehicle (even a bicycle), this qualifies as a violation of clause 9.1(1) of the Traffic Regulations.

What signs and markings are valid “even for a mad dog”?

In order not to fall for the tricks of inspectors or your own misconceptions, remember: all signs and markings restricting overtaking apply to any vehicles, including:

Sign/marking	What prohibits	Penalty for violation
3.20 “Overtaking is prohibited”	Overtaking everyone Vehicles (including motorcycles, mopeds, horse-drawn vehicles)	5,000 ₽ or deprivation of rights for 4–6 months (Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Administrative Code)
1.1 (solid line)	Intersection for overtaking or detour	Same as for sign 3.20
1.11 (solid + intermittent)	Overtaking from the side of the road	5,000 ₽ (part 3 of article 12.15 of the Administrative Code)
4.2.1–4.2.3 “Avoiding obstacles”	Overtaking at the sign (even if the obstacle is a slow-moving vehicle)	1,500 ₽ (Part 1 of Article 12.16 of the Administrative Code)

The situation is especially insidious with sign 3.20 in combination with marking 1.5 (broken line). Many people think that if the markings allow it, then it is possible to overtake. Actually sign 3.20 has priority over markings (clause 1 of Appendix 1 to the traffic rules), and overtaking through intermittent lanes in its coverage area is still punishable.

I’ll patiently drive behind|I’ll overtake through a solid lane if the oncoming lane is clear|I’ll try to go around on the side of the road|I’ll film the overtaking and complain to the traffic police about the tractor driver-->

When is overtaking across a continuous road still allowed?

Yes three legal caseswhen you can cross a solid line or overtake under a sign 3.20 without penalty:

1. Avoiding a stationary obstacle (accident, fallen tree, hole), if it is impossible to drive in your lane. The main thing is to capture the obstacle on video/photo up to maneuver.
2. Overtaking a slow-moving vehicle (with the sign “Slow-moving vehicle”), if its speed is < 30 km/h. But only if there is no sign 3.20!
3. Driving into oncoming traffic as directed by a traffic controller or when driving around the scene of an accident at the command of an inspector.

Important: a horse-drawn cart or bicycle is not a slow-moving vehicle in the sense of traffic rules, if they do not have a special sign (red triangle with a yellow border). Even if a horse is walking at a speed of 5 km/h, overtaking through a clear road will be a violation.

What to do if the inspector insists on a fine for overtaking a “mad dog”?

1. Politely ask to see the traffic rule that he violated.

2. Indicate that a horse-drawn cart/bicycle are vehicles (clause 1.2 of the traffic rules), and sign 3.20 prohibits overtaking everyone TS.

3. If the inspector refers to “local customs,” demand a protocol with the exact wording of the violation.

4. You can challenge the fine in court, citing the absence of an offense (if overtaking was safe and did not create interference).-->

How inspectors catch a “mad dog”

schemes and tricks

The traffic police actively uses the phrase to scam drivers out of fines. Common schemes:

• 🚓 “Trap” on rural roads: inspectors put up a sign 3.20 in front of an area where tractors often drive, and wait until someone dares to overtake.
• 📹 Video recording from a drone: cameras record overtaking through a solid road, even if the maneuver was safe. The protocol says “violation of clause 9.1(1)”, without further clarification.
• 🐎 Provocation with horse-drawn transport: in some regions (for example, Dagestan, Chechnya), inspectors specially send carts along the highway to catch overtakers.

To avoid getting caught:

1. Always check combination of sign and markings. For example, if there is a sign 3.20, but there are no markings, overtaking is prohibited throughout the entire section until the sign is removed.
2. Don’t believe the myths about “overtaking only trucks” or “overtaking up to 20 km/h”. There are no such clauses in the traffic rules.
3. When in doubt, turn it on DVR and record the traffic situation up to maneuver.

✅ I made sure that there is no 3.20 sign or continuous markings

✅ I checked that the vehicle being overtaken is not slow-moving (there is a sign!)

✅ Assessed visibility and absence of oncoming cars

✅ Turned on the left turn signal in advance

✅ Ready to show dash cam video when stopped

Judicial practice: when is it possible to challenge a fine?

Analysis of cases on sudact.ru shows that fines for overtaking a “mad dog” can be challenged in ~15% of cases. Successful arguments:

• 📽️ Video evidence: if the recording shows that the vehicle being overtaken stood (for example, a tractor broke down) and did not move, the court may reclassify the violation under Part 1 of Art. 12.15 Code of Administrative Offenses (fine 1,500 rubles instead of imprisonment).
• 🚧 Lack of markings: if sign 3.20 stands without markings 1.1, and the width of the road allows overtaking without entering oncoming traffic, the court may find the violation unproven.
• 📏 Non-compliance with GOST: if the sign is installed in violation (for example, blocked by branches), its effect does not apply (Resolution of the Plenum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation No. 20 of June 25, 2019).

An example from practice: a driver from the Krasnodar Territory overtook a cyclist across a continuous road, citing the fact that “a bicycle is not a vehicle.” The court of first instance sided with the traffic police, but the regional court overturned the decision, indicating that a bicycle is a vehicle (Section 1.2 of the traffic rules), which means overtaking through a continuous road is prohibited. Moral: Even absurd arguments don't work.

⚠️ Attention: If the protocol states “overtaking through a solid road”, and you overtook worthwhile TS, demand retraining for “obstacle avoidance” (part 1 of article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). This will reduce the fine from 5,000 rubles to 1,500 rubles.

What to do if you have already been fined?

If you are fined for overtaking a “mad dog”, follow the algorithm:

1. Check the protocol: it must contain the exact wording of the violation (for example, “driving into the oncoming lane in violation of clause 9.1(1) of the traffic rules”). If it is written vaguely (“violation of maneuvering rules”), the fine can be contested.
2. Collect evidence:
   • Video from the recorder (necessarily with date/time!).
   • Photos of the road situation (signs, markings, obstacles).
   • Diagram of the location of the violation (can be drawn by hand).
3. Write a complaint: within 10 days from the date of the protocol, file a complaint with the court or a higher traffic police official. In the text refer to:
   • Absence of an offense (if overtaking was safe).
   • Inconsistency of signs/markings with GOST R 52289-2019.
   • Provocation on the part of the inspector (if any).

If the trial court rejected the complaint, file an appeal. According to statistics, 30% of cases involving overtaking through a continuous road are closed in favor of drivers precisely at the appeal stage.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about “mad dog” and overtaking

Is it possible to overtake a tractor across a solid road if it is traveling at a speed of 5 km/h?

No. Tractors without the “Slow Moving Vehicle” sign are not slow moving in the sense of traffic rules. Overtaking across a continuous road is prohibited regardless of their speed.

What happens if you overtake a cyclist across a clearing?

The same as for overtaking a car: a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 4–6 months (part 4 of article 12.15 of the Administrative Code). A bicycle is a vehicle (Section 1.2 of the Traffic Regulations).

Does the “No Overtaking” sign apply to horse-drawn vehicles?

Yes. Horse-drawn cart is vehicle (Section 1.2 of the Traffic Regulations), therefore you cannot overtake it through a continuous road. The exception is if the cart worth it (for example, the horse has stopped), and you go around it as an obstacle.

Is it possible to overtake a motorcycle through a solid road if it is driving slowly?

No. A motorcycle is a full-fledged vehicle and is subject to the same rules as cars. Overtaking across a continuous road is prohibited.

How to prove that the vehicle being overtaken was slow-moving?

You need to present a video where you can see "Slow Moving Vehicle" sign (red triangle with a yellow border) on the rear of the vehicle. Without a sign, slowness cannot be proven.