Why they pass the tram in front and the bus in the back: analysis of traffic rules with examples and fines

Have you ever wondered why pedestrians at bus stops always get confused: sometimes they walk around the bus in front, then behind them there’s a tram? It seems like it's just a habit or a superstition, but there's actually something behind it. specific traffic rulesthat save lives. In 2026, the rules have not changed, but the number of accidents with pedestrians at bus stops has increased by 12% compared to 2023 - and the wrong way around traffic is often to blame for this.

In this article we will not just tell you how to get around trams and buses, but also explain why are the rules different?: from the physics of traffic to the psychology of drivers. You will find out what fines you face for violation, how public transport behaves in blind spots, and why in some cities (for example, St. Petersburg) these rules are ignored more often than in Moscow. We will also look at real cases of accidents where an incorrect detour became fatal.

If you are a driver, this information will help you anticipate the actions of pedestrians. If you are a pedestrian, you will save your health and wallet from fines. And yes, In 80% of accidents with pedestrians at bus stops, it is the traffic avoiding on the “wrong” side that is to blame (traffic police data for 2023). So read carefully.

Traffic rules 2026: what the rules say about bypassing trams and buses

Let's start with the official wording. B clause 4.5 of the Russian Federation Traffic Regulations clearly stated:

• 🚋 Tram need to go around front - this rule always applies, regardless of the direction of movement.
• 🚌 Bus, trolleybus, minibus - only behind. Exception: if you go out onto the sidewalk (but more on that later).

But why is that? After all, it would be more logical to unify the rule. The fact is that the tram and bus are different categories of transport from the point of view of traffic regulations:

• 📜 A tram is equivalent to rail transport (like a train) and has priority on the road. Its route is predictable, and maneuvers are limited by rails.
• 🚛 The bus is trackless transport, which can abruptly change its trajectory (for example, go around an obstacle).

By the way, many people mistakenly think that the “walk around from behind” rule applies to everything buses. In fact, it's only about route vehicles (those that move along a fixed route with stops). A school bus or intercity bus is a different case, and here the rules are looser.

Physics of movement: why a tram is more dangerous than a bus when going around

Let's figure out what happens when a pedestrian passes traffic from the “wrong” side. To do this you need to understand blind spots and movement trajectories.

🚋 Tram has rigid connection to the rails, so its driver cannot suddenly change direction. However, the tram has front blind spot up to 3–4 meters long (due to the high cabin and the shape of the windshield). If a pedestrian goes around a tram behind, he falls into this zone - and the driver simply does not see him. And since the tram cannot brake instantly (the braking distance is up to 30 meters on a wet road), the consequences can be fatal.

🚌 Bus, on the contrary, has a blind spot front and sides (due to the long hood and mirrors). If you go around it from the front, the pedestrian ends up in a “dead” zone, where he is not visible to either the driver or other road users. In addition, the bus can suddenly start moving (for example, if the driver decides to change lanes into the adjacent lane), and the pedestrian will be under the wheels.

Type of transport	Blind spot (m)	Braking distance (dry asphalt)	Danger when walking around from the front	Danger when walking behind
Tram	3–4 (front)	15–20 m	Low (driver sees pedestrian)	High (hitting the blind spot)
Bus	5–7 (front and sides)	10–12 m	High (blind spot + maneuvers)	Low (the driver sees in the mirrors)
Trolleybus	4–6 (front)	12–15 m	High (like a bus)	Medium (risk of collision when moving backwards)

Interesting fact: in Europe (for example, in Germany or France) the rule of walking around the front of a tram is the same as in Russia. But in USA and Canada pedestrians are taught to avoid any traffic from behind - but the design of the buses there is different (more glass, fewer blind spots).

Real cases of road accidents: statistics and examples

According to the traffic police, in 2023 in Russia there was 1,247 accidents with pedestrians at public transport stops. Of these:

• 🚨 68% - collision with a pedestrian who was walking around the vehicle from the “wrong” side.
• 🚨 22% are pedestrians who stepped out from behind the bus directly under the wheels of oncoming traffic.
• 🚨 10% - other reasons (drunk pedestrians, technical faults, etc.).

Let's look at two real cases:

Case 1. Tram in St. Petersburg (2022)

A woman walked around a tram on Nevsky Prospekt behindto save time. The driver did not see her in the blind spot and started driving. The pedestrian was seriously injured, and the driver was acquitted - an examination showed that he was physically unable to notice the woman.

Case 2. Bus in Moscow (2023)

The teenager walked around the bus front and entered the roadway just as the driver began to turn right. The blow hit the side, the guy died on the spot. The video from the dash cam showed that the driver did not even have time to brake - the pedestrian literally “materialized” from the blind spot.

⚠️ Attention! In 90% of such accidents, the pedestrian is to blame - but this does not mean that the driver will escape responsibility. If the examination proves that he could have foreseen the danger (for example, he did not reduce the speed before stopping), he may be deprived of his license for 1-2 years.

Exceptions to the rules: when you can work around it differently

As usual, there are nuances in traffic rules. The rule of walking from behind only applies if:

• 🛑 You stay on sidewalk or curb. If after going around you need to cross the road, that’s a different case (more on that in the next section).
• 🛑 The bus stops at designated stop (there is a sign or marking). If the stop is unofficial, the rules do not apply.
• 🛑 No pedestrian crossing nearby. If there is a crossing, you cannot bypass the transport - you need to walk to it.

But here are the cases when the rule doesn't work:

• 🚌 If the bus stops on the edge of the road (for example, in a traffic jam), and it is impossible to get around it from behind without going out onto the roadway - you can get around it from the front, but only when the vehicle is completely stopped.
• 🚧 On areas being repaired roads where the stop has been moved to a temporary location.
• 👮 If a traffic controller or traffic light gives other instructions (for example, allows crossing in the wrong place).

Go around in front if there is a puddle/ice/obstacle behind you|The bus is stuck in a traffic jam, and going around from behind is dangerous|There is an instruction from a traffic controller or a traffic light|Temporary stop (road repairs)-->

Important: even in these cases the pedestrian must ensure safety. For example, if you are passing a bus in front because of a puddle, first look to see if there is a car driving in the oncoming lane that may not have time to brake.

How to properly cross the road after stopping

Many people confuse bypass of transport and crossing the road. These are different things! If you need to cross to the other side after getting off a bus or tram, proceed as follows:

🚦 For tram:

1. Go around the tram front (staying on the sidewalk).
2. Go to the nearest one pedestrian crossing or a traffic light.
3. If there is no crossing, wait until the tram leaves and only then cross, making sure there is no oncoming traffic.

🚌 For bus:

1. Walk around the bus behind (staying on the sidewalk).
2. If you need to cross the road, go to the crossing or wait until the bus leaves and the view opens.
3. Never step out from behind a bus onto the roadway — drivers of oncoming cars may not see you!

Why is this important? Because oncoming drivers do not expect pedestrians because the bus is standing. The “obscure” effect is triggered in their head - they see a bus and automatically assume that there is no one behind it. It's called "masking effect" and is one of the main reasons for collisions.

Fines for incorrect bypass: what threatens pedestrians and drivers

Many people think that there are no fines for improperly passing traffic. This is wrong. In 2026, the following penalties apply:

For pedestrians (according to Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation):

• 💰 500 rubles - for bypassing vehicles in violation of traffic rules (if this did not lead to an accident).
• 💰 1,000–1,500 rubles - if the bypass created interference with traffic (for example, the driver was forced to brake sharply).

For drivers (according to Article 12.18 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation):

• 💰 1,500–2,000 rubles - if the driver did not allow a pedestrian to pass according to the rules (for example, the pedestrian was walking behind the bus, and the driver started moving).
• 🚔 Deprivation of rights for 1–2 years - if the collision with a pedestrian occurred due to a violation of the rules of bypass (and the driver’s guilt is proven).

It's interesting that in Moscow and St. Petersburg fines for pedestrians are higher - up to 2,000 rubles, if the violation is recorded on camera. And in some regions (for example, in Tatarstan) there are “pedestrian patrols” that specifically monitor compliance with the rules at stops.

⚠️ Attention! If a pedestrian is injured because of your violation (for example, you passed in front of a bus and entered the oncoming lane), the insurance company may recover compensation from you for treatment - even if there was no accident. It's called "Regression under OSAGO".

Myths and misconceptions: what's really wrong

There are many myths surrounding the rules for bypassing vehicles. Let's look at the most popular:

Myth 1: “You can get around as you like if the transport is stopped”

❌ Not true. Even if a bus or tram is stationary, the driver may move unexpectedly (for example, if the light turns green). In addition, other cars may not expect a pedestrian due to standing vehicles.

Myth 2: “In Europe, everyone goes around in front - and nothing happens”

❌ Not really. In Europe, buses often have another design (low hood, large windows), which reduces blind spots. In addition, they monitor the speed limit at bus stops more strictly.

Myth 3: “If you pass from behind, you may get hit by oncoming traffic.”

✅ Partially true, but only if you go out on the road. If you stay on the sidewalk, there is no risk. And if you need to cross the road, first wait until the bus leaves.

Myth 4: “Drivers see pedestrians anyway”

❌ Dangerous misconception. Buses and trams have blind spots, and drivers do not always have time to react. For example, in rain or snow visibility deteriorates by 30–40%.

Why in some cities does everyone pass buses in front?

In cities with narrow streets (for example, in historical centers), pedestrians often step out onto the roadway to pass the bus in front - because there is no room in the back. This is a violation, but local traffic police turn a blind eye to this if there are no accidents. However, in the event of an accident, the fault will still be with the pedestrian.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Why can’t you go around the back of a tram if the driver still rides on the rails and can’t turn over?

Because by the tram front blind spot — the driver does not see the pedestrian if he is walking behind. And since the tram cannot brake sharply (the braking distance is up to 30 meters), the risk of a collision is very high.

❓ What to do if the bus is stuck in a traffic jam and it is impossible to get around it from behind?

In this case, you can go around in front, but only if you stay on the sidewalk. If you need to go out onto the road, wait until the traffic jam clears, or find a pedestrian crossing.

❓ What are the fines for incorrect bypass in 2026?

For pedestrians - 500–1,500 rubles, for drivers (if they did not let the pedestrian pass) - 1,500–2,000 rubles or deprivation of rights.

❓ Why is it possible to bypass the bus from the front in some countries?

In countries with right hand drive (for example, in the UK) buses have a different design - the driver sits on the right, and the view from the front is better. In addition, they monitor speed at stops more strictly.

❓ What is more dangerous: walking around a tram from behind or a bus from the front?

Both options are dangerous, but passing a tram from behind is riskier - due to the long braking distance and blind spot. At least the bus can maneuver.