Situations when a stopped person appears on the route tram, found everywhere in dense city traffic. The driver needs to instantly make a decision: stop, go around or let passengers pass, while strictly observing the points Traffic rules. An error in assessing the situation often leads to traffic accidents involving people leaving the car, or to receiving fines from cameras recording violations.
The main difficulty is that tram tracks often do not have special fencing from the rest of the roadway. Tram rails located at the same level as the road are legally considered part of the roadway, but have priority in traffic. This creates unique conditions when a car and rail transport share the same space, requiring increased concentration and knowledge of the nuances of maneuvering from the driver.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithms for actions when driving around a tram from different sides, analyze common mistakes and study the amount of penalties. Understanding these rules is not just a way to avoid punishment from the traffic police, but also a guarantee of preserving the life and health of road users.
General principles of interaction with rail transport
The fundamental rule that every driver should know is that a tram almost always has an advantage over trackless vehicles. This is dictated by the physical inertia of a heavy car, which cannot quickly brake or sharply change its trajectory. When making a detour, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the rolling stock, which can extend significantly beyond the dimensions of the traffic lane.
According to current legislation, drivers are required to give way to a tram in the same direction that is in the immediate vicinity. Proximity in this context, it is determined by the possibility of an emergency occurring during a maneuver. If the tram is at a stop located in the middle of the roadway, the driver must slow down and be prepared for an emergency stop.
Particular attention should be paid to the signals given by the carriage drivers. Sound signals and flashing headlights may indicate the start of movement or emergency braking. Ignoring these signals when trying to pass in front of the nose of a tram often ends in a collision, since the braking distance of a loaded car can exceed 100 meters even at low speed.
Detour around a tram that has stopped to pick up passengers
The most controversial and dangerous point is the detour of a tram that has stopped for boarding and disembarking people. According to paragraph 14.6 of the traffic rules, if the tram stopped at a stop located in the middle of the roadway, drivers must stop. You can continue moving only after the doors close and the tram starts moving, or when it becomes obvious that pedestrians have finished crossing.
Many drivers mistakenly believe that the presence of a traffic island or marking allows them to continue driving without stopping. However, the law requires a complete stop in front of the tram if there is no guardrail on its side. This is necessary to prevent collisions with pedestrians who may run out from behind the bow or stern of the carriage without seeing the approaching cars.
If the tram stop is equipped with a landing area separated from the roadway, or there is lawn, through which it is impossible for people to exit, then stopping the car is not required. In this case, you just need to slow down and exercise maximum caution, as pedestrians may break the rules and enter the road in the wrong place.
Always look in your rearview mirrors before driving around a stationary tram. Due to the size of the car, you become invisible to drivers traveling in adjacent rows, which increases the risk of a side collision when entering the oncoming lane.
Front passing technique: risks and rules
Passing a tram from the front (on the left side in countries with right-hand traffic) is the most risky maneuver, as it involves driving into oncoming traffic. This maneuver is permitted only if it is not prohibited by road signs and markings, and also if the tram gives a left turn signal.
It is strictly forbidden to start a detour if the tram is standing still without any apparent reason for stopping (for example, the doors are not open, there are no passengers). In such a situation, there is a high probability that the driver is about to start moving or has already started moving. An attempt to get ahead of the curve often ends in hitting the side of the car.
When making a detour from the front, you must make sure that there are no oncoming vehicles. The dimensions of the tram create a “blind spot”, and an oncoming car may appear suddenly. Speed when driving around, it should be minimal so that you can brake at any time.
- 🚦 Make sure the markup is
1.1(solid line) does not prohibit crossing the center line. - 👀 Check that there are no oncoming cars by looking out from behind the tram.
- 🚋 Make sure that the left turn signal of the tram is not on and it does not start moving.
- ⚡ Do not interfere with the tram itself when returning to your lane.
☑️ Safe tram detour
Passing on the right: when allowed
Bypassing a tram on the right side (between the tram and the right edge of the roadway) is only possible if the width of the roadway allows this to be done safely, without driving onto the sidewalk or shoulder. Often such situations arise on wide avenues, where the right lane is intended for slow-moving vehicles or stops.
However, if the tram is stationary and there is free space to the right of it, sufficient for a car to pass without entering the oncoming lane, such a maneuver is permissible.
When passing on the right, the driver must give way to pedestrians walking towards or away from the tram. Often people cross the path in front of the front of the carriage, and a car passing on the right may not notice them due to limited visibility. Side mirrors at this moment they are the main tool for controlling the situation.
⚠️ Attention: Passing a tram on the right on the sidewalk or lawn is strictly prohibited. Driving on the sidewalk may result in deprivation of your license for a period of 4 to 6 months, and in the event of a collision with a pedestrian, criminal liability.
Prohibited maneuvers and typical violations
There are a number of situations when any maneuvers around the tram are strictly prohibited. First of all, this is the intersection of a solid marking line. Often drivers, wanting to overtake a stationary tram, cross line 1.1, which is a serious violation and creates a threat of a head-on collision.
It is also prohibited to overtake a tram if there is already another car in front of it waiting for passengers to board. The formation of a “locomotive” of overtaking cars paralyzes traffic and increases the risk of an accident. Tram tracks are not designed to create additional traffic lanes bypassing stops.
It is considered a dangerous violation to bypass a tram at a red traffic light. If the tram is stopped at red, and the driver decides to go around it, ignoring the signal, he is violating the rule for passing intersections. Even if the inspector does not see a violation, recording cameras (“trip-nit”) will record crossing the stop line or passing a prohibiting signal.
| Type of violation | Article of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation | Punishment | Risk of accident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving in the oncoming lane | 12.15 p.4 | Fine 5000 rub. or deprivation of rights | High (frontal) |
| Failure to yield to a tram | 12.14 p.1 | Fine 500 rub. | Middle (lateral) |
| Violation of stopping rules | 12.10 p.1 | Fine 1000 rubles. | High (collision with a pedestrian) |
| Departure to the sidewalk | 12.15 p.2 | Fine 2000 rubles. | Critical (pedestrians) |
What to do if the tram breaks down in the middle of the road?
If the tram sits for a long time and shows no signs of life, and a detour according to the rules is impossible due to oncoming traffic, wait for the traffic controller or a signal from the traffic police. Unauthorized detour in the oncoming lane in heavy traffic can be regarded as creating an emergency situation.
Penalties for illegal detours
The legislation provides for serious penalties for violations related to maneuvering around rail vehicles. The most serious violation is considered to be entering the lane of oncoming traffic to overtake a tram. This action falls under Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and entails a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle.
If the violation is repeated within a year, the driver is guaranteed to lose his license for up to one year. It is important to understand that the detour of a tram is often recorded by cameras with the function of recognizing the intersection of a solid line. Proving that the maneuver was forced is almost impossible without a video recorder.
A more “easier”, but also unpleasant violation is failure to comply with the requirement to give way to a tram (Article 12.14 Part 1). The fine here is 500 rubles. However, if an accident occurs as a result of such a maneuver, the driver’s responsibility will be full, since the priority of the tram is undeniable.
Saving 2-3 minutes on a tram detour is not worth the risk of losing your driver's license for six months or becoming the culprit of death. Always choose a safe behavior scenario.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to go around a tram if it is stopped at a red traffic light?
No, you can't. A tram stopped at a red traffic light is subject to general rules. By driving around it, you will most likely drive into the oncoming lane or cross the stop line, which is a violation. Wait for the green signal.
Who is to blame for an accident if I was driving around a tram and a pedestrian got out from behind it?
In most cases, the driver of the car is found guilty. According to traffic regulations, when driving around a stopped tram, the driver must make sure that the maneuver is safe and give way to pedestrians. The tram blocks the view, and this does not relieve one from responsibility.
Is it allowed to travel on tram tracks in the same direction when making a detour?
Movement on tram tracks in the same direction, located on the left at the same level as the roadway, is permitted only for making a turn or U-turn, as well as for detour if all lanes are occupied. However, if the tram is moving or is about to start, you must give way to it and leave the tracks.
What is the fine for passing a tram on the right side of the road?
Driving on the side of the road is punishable by a fine of 1,500 rubles (Article 12.15 Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). If damage was caused to infrastructure or pedestrians, the amount may be significantly higher, up to and including civil damages.