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Every day drivers have to deal with a variety of situations on the road that they were not taught in a driving school. For example, how to behave if the roadway is occupied by an organized convoy with an escort: is overtaking allowed, is there a penalty in the form of a fine if it is prohibited, and other non-standard traffic circumstances.
What is an organized pedestrian column?
An organized column on foot is not a very common phenomenon. Most often, such columns are used when moving large numbers of military personnel. School-age children can also move in the form of columns. If you have ever encountered organized foot columns consisting of adult civilians in practice, then write about it in the comments to the article.
Soldiers, as a rule, move in columns according to the orders of the command. Please note that if soldiers are walking in a column along the road, this does not mean that their column is organized from the point of view of traffic rules. An organized column must have certain characteristics. Let's take a closer look at them.
Overtaking and crossing
First of all, every motorist must remember the terminology. An organized transport column is a group of vehicles, the number of which is more than three, moving in one lane one after another at the same speed. In this case, each car must have its headlights on. The lead vehicle always moves in front of the column. It is quite easy to distinguish it by the included flashing lights.
As a rule, at the end of the column there is another accompanying car with a flashing light. This allows other road users to understand what is happening.
If military KAMAZ trucks move along the road without an accompanying vehicle, then they cannot be classified as an organized transport convoy. In this case, motorists have the right to overtake military vehicles according to the general rules. If there are oncoming cars on the way, you will have to overtake the trucks one at a time. It is allowed to occupy the space between KAMAZ trucks.
If the road is clear, you can overtake several cars. The main thing is that the maneuver is safe.
The actions will be completely different if the convoy is led by an accompanying vehicle. In this case, it is allowed to overtake the entire transport convoy. When the siren is on, overtaking is completely prohibited. In this case, we can only hope that the column will turn onto another road.
It is prohibited to cross the column at intersections.
How is an organized column designated?
Let's consider the term from paragraph 1.2 of the traffic rules:
An organized walking column is a group of people, designated in accordance with paragraph 4.2 of the Rules, moving together along the road in the same direction.
The definition makes reference to clause 4.2, so let’s turn to it:
In front and behind the column on the left side there should be escorts with red flags, and in the dark and in conditions of poor visibility - with lights on: in front - white, in back - red.
Thus, an organized foot column should have the following characteristics:
- Several people walking in the same direction. The number of participants is not clearly indicated, so two people are quite enough.
- Escorts with red flags must go in front and behind the column. To organize the movement, 2 accompanying persons are enough, one of whom goes in front, and the second goes behind. No escorts are required in the center of the column.
- At night or in conditions of insufficient visibility, accompanying persons must have flashlights. White - front, red - rear (similar to the colors of car headlights and lanterns).
It turns out that any 3 people with flags and/or lanterns can declare themselves an organized column. Why might they need this? For example, to walk along the roadway without violating traffic rules.
An organized transport convoy on the road - is it possible to overtake?
A driving school can prepare motorists for different situations on the road. Over time, beginners successfully overcome intersections, learn to park without hitting neighboring cars, and turn around even on difficult roads. However, you may encounter something that even an experienced driver is not prepared for.
A military convoy on the road is not a pleasant sight. They don’t meet so often on the way of drivers, which is why many begin to get lost. Almost no one knows how to properly overtake a line of cars without breaking the traffic rules. As a result, many simply ride in the back until the convoy turns off the road. What does a driver need to know if he encounters a line of KAMAZ trucks on the road? What actions should you absolutely not do?
Overtaking and crossing . The first step is to remember the definition. An organized transport column is a group that includes 3 or more vehicles that move at the same speed in one lane one after another. At the same time, each car must drive only with its headlights on. There should be a lead vehicle at the head of the transport column. It is recognized on the road by its color scheme and flashing light.
As a rule, columns that are too long at the end are also closed by an accompanying vehicle, which must also have markings and flashing lights. This is necessary so that other road users can quickly find their way around.
If a group of military KAMAZ trucks does not have an accompanying vehicle, it cannot be classified as an organized convoy. Accordingly, overtaking such a line can be carried out according to the general rules. If there are too many cars in the oncoming lane, you will have to overtake one truck at a time. If the oncoming lane is clear, you can pass several vehicles at once. Before doing this, you should make sure that the maneuver is safe and be sure to look in the rearview mirrors.
But if the convoy does have an escort, different rules should apply. You can only overtake such a line as a whole; you cannot wedge yourself between vehicles. And if the accompanying vehicle has a siren on, overtaking is completely prohibited. You'll have to follow the convoy and wait for it to turn off the road. The rules prohibit crossing such columns at intersections.
Punishment . If a motorist wedges into an organized convoy, there is a penalty for this. According to Part 1 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the fine will be 1,500 rubles. And if a motorist decides to overtake the line when the accompanying person has his siren and beacons on, the punishment will be more severe. For such actions you can lose your driver's license for up to 5 months. But there is an alternative - a fine of 5,000 rubles. Note that an organized convoy does not always consist of trucks. Various vehicles can be presented here - motorcycles, buses and cars.
Bottom line . An organized convoy on the road often causes confusion among motorists. Not everyone knows in what cases it is and is not possible to overtake such a line.
Rules for the movement of an organized column
According to clause 4.2 of the traffic rules:
4.2. The movement of organized pedestrian columns along the roadway is permitted only in the direction of movement of vehicles on the right side of no more than four people in a row.
Please note that, unlike the movement of pedestrians, an organized column must walk along the opposite side of the roadway , i.e. in the same direction as vehicles.
In addition, no more than 4 people can line up in a row on the roadway. Accompanying persons are not included in this number, because a person cannot be both in the column and behind (in front) of it at the same time.
The requirements listed above apply exclusively to traffic on the roadway. If an organized column walks along the sidewalk, then the direction of movement and the number of people in a row can be any.
There is no ban on overtaking
You can overtake a column when the maneuver does not interfere with its movement and does not give you the opportunity to be in its ranks.
The column stretches for many meters, and on roads with 2 lanes it is almost impossible to find a place to see it and overtake the entire column. A traffic police car is driving ahead of the column, and it may pay attention to you if you complete the movement through a solid line of road markings.
Paragraph 3.2 of the traffic rules says that you cannot overtake vehicles with special color schemes, flashing red and blue lights and an audible signal, as well as the vehicles they accompany.
Even if you are able to overtake such a column completely in the permitted place and return to the desired lane along the intermittent lane, you will still receive a punishment if you overtake not only the column, but also a patrol with a flashing light.
Rules for the movement of children in an organized column
According to paragraph 4.2 of the traffic rules:
Groups of children are allowed to drive only on sidewalks and pedestrian paths, and in their absence, along the roadsides, but only during daylight hours and only when accompanied by adults.
Thus, the movement of children on the roadway is prohibited in any case. Children should only walk on the sidewalk, footpath or curb.
Moreover, when driving along the side of the road, adults (with flags) must act as accompanying persons, and movement is possible only during daylight hours.
Please note that if children are simply walking along the sidewalk or side of the road, then they are not an organized group. Accordingly, they do not require accompanying persons, and movement is possible at any time.
In addition, you need to keep in mind that the movement of children in an organized group does not give them any advantage.
Overtaking on the motorway
If you are on a two-lane road and the traffic is one-way, then you can overtake the convoy; the equipment is driving on the right. But you shouldn't end up inside a row of columns.
But the military is not particularly proficient in driving trucks and does not know how to react in time to the maneuvers of other vehicles. There are soldiers with rifles sitting inside the trucks; such vehicles cannot be braked sharply.
According to Art. 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, overtaking a convoy or occupying a place inside it is subject to a fine of 1,500 rubles.
If traffic police and VAI cars do not allow you to get ahead of the convoy, then you should not try. The vehicles may be carrying valuable or dangerous cargo.
Provided liability for violation
For violation of clause 2.7 of the traffic rules, a fine of 1,500 rubles is provided. If the driver violates this rule not for the first time, the fine will be 5,000 rubles, and a driver’s license may be deprived for up to 1 year.
For violating the rules of advancing or overtaking, the driver may be subject to a fine or deprived of his driving license for a certain period. The punishment depends on the specific situation, the actions of the driver, which may be regarded as unacceptable.
If, while overtaking or advancing, the driver violates any other rules, then he will be fined for this. If you overtake in the wrong place, you will have to say goodbye to your driver's license.
Movement in a column
The opening of the season is about to begin or has already begun. You know the rally point, the magic words “start of the column” excite you, but you have no one to ask? No question, we'll teach you 
What is a column? A column is an organized movement of transport. Not a crowd, a heap, a caudla, a bunch, a flock - an organized movement. Ideally, with police escort. Now let's go in order from start to finish.
Column gathering, organizers
Even before collecting, make sure that there is gasoline in the tank, and that there are no excess fluids in your body - otherwise you risk getting lost in the pee-pee Of course, no alcohol, or even less drugs, drugs are generally bad) You need to have working lighting devices .. and yes Overall a good motorcycle. And documents. You shouldn’t expose everyone with your boundless bravado.
For some reason you may not be allowed in or kicked out of the column. For example, according to what I wrote above. You shouldn’t try to “get in” back or start screaming - we found out the reason and went separately - this is not the last convoy in your life, or even this year.
At the collection stage, your task is to get in line, i.e. at the tail of the column. Remember the one in front of you. Your task will be to stick to it. Changing the order of movement in the column is unacceptable . Forget about the desire to have fun or about filming the column from the side - there are specially trained people for this. Your task is to stick to the one you follow. If you want to shoot from the side, don’t stand in a column.
Why is that? I'll explain a little later.
Pay attention to the organizers of the column - they are usually dressed similarly, usually in reflective vests. Their task is to cut off cars from the column, regulate the speed limit, in a word, “lead” the column. Their instructions must be followed.
Column and traffic rules
“Organized transport convoy” is a group of three or more motorized vehicles following directly one after another along the same lane with constantly turned on headlights, accompanied by a lead vehicle with special color schemes applied to the outer surfaces and blue and blue flashing lights turned on. red flowers.
The column may be accompanied by the traffic police, but clubs and movements do not always coordinate such an event. Be mentally prepared for the situation that, as part of a convoy, you can drive through, for example, a red light (the most common). If the convoy is not led by traffic police, this will be considered a traffic violation. Check with the organizers or decide this issue for yourself before the start of the movement. If you suddenly discover that the convoy is going through a red light, either leave the convoy in advance, or drive along with everyone else, and then leave, i.e. There is no need to disrupt the column by stopping at red - it is less safe than driving through the entire column.
By the way:
12.15 Part 1 1. Violation of the rules for positioning a vehicle on the roadway, oncoming traffic, as well as driving along the side of the road or crossing an organized transport or pedestrian convoy or taking a place in it -
shall entail the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of one thousand five hundred rubles.
This means that if you are not a participant in the convoy, embedding may incur a fine. This also means that cars that are built into a convoy also violate traffic rules and can be “hijacked” by the participants in the convoy. You have no right to interfere with them.
All this is true only for an organized transport convoy, i.e. a group of motorcyclists riding unaccompanied is simply a line of traffic.
Start of movement
As soon as you reach the road, the column lines up in a checkerboard pattern. That is, the first motorcyclist stays on the left side of the lane, the second on the right, the third on the left, etc. The checkerboard order has a lot of advantages - firstly, you get more room for maneuver, and the column takes up less space. Secondly, you occupy the entire lane and motorists have less desire to get in there. Always keep a sufficient distance for your own safety - don’t think that if a huge, loud convoy of vehicles is driving, nothing can happen. Maybe.
Maneuvering
Note: The picture shows the staggered movement order. Of course, you need to choose a safe distance.
The first and most important point is the turn signals. If you see that the leader in front of you has turned on the turn signal, pause for half a second and turn it on too. Change lanes only after the leader, even if you have already seen that the column is changing lanes, for example. Plus, you will know in advance the expected direction of movement even if you do not see the head of the column. Don’t forget to turn off the turn signal at the end of the maneuver - after all, the rest of the tail follows you.
For the same reason, you cannot get ahead of your leader - if you do this, then you will have to change your position in the lane, he will be behind you and will not know what will be behind you. Don't create confusion - don't overtake the leader. The same is true and vice versa - if your wingman is ahead of you, give him the opportunity to come back.
This is especially true at traffic lights, if the traffic light “cut off” the “tail” of the column - you will change lanes once at the stratum and once when joining. For what? Remember your position, your leader and follower, and maintain your place in the column.
If for some reason you left the column and need to return, do not try to fit into your place - fit into the tail. Not everyone is ready to accept motorcycles in a convoy on the move - don’t worry.
Row spacing
A competent leader will not lead his column into the aisle unless absolutely necessary, but if this happens, everyone rides in the aisle in single file, and then turns back. Particular attention to the dimensions - it is not a fact that where the leader climbed, you will also climb. It’s better to go slowly and carefully than to wait quickly and at the side of the road for the traffic police.
Concentration of attention
Don't force yourself and your motorcycle. Usually convoys do not move quickly at the opening, but if you feel serious discomfort, it is better to leave the convoy rather than overload your head with trying to keep track of everything.
You must remember the leader, the follower and your position in the column. But this does not mean that you should not monitor the rest of the road - control the situation, you are still on the road.
End of the column
When you arrive at a place, don’t immediately try to get closer - this will cause you (and people like you) to create a long queue to enter. It is better to continue driving as far as possible.
PS As usual, I am ready to make corrections based on practical advice in the comments.
Is it possible to overtake a convoy with an escort?
The general rules governing overtaking on the country's roads are enshrined in Chapter 11 of the traffic rules, however, it does not contain information about the behavior of drivers in relation to traffic convoys. Clause 3.2 of this document is of much greater interest.
According to this paragraph of the traffic rules, overtaking a specialized vehicle, as well as all vehicles that it accompanies, is prohibited if a number of conditions are met in relation to the lead vehicle:
- presence of color schemes on the body;
- blue and red flashing lights turned on;
- special signal turned on.
None of the listed conditions excludes the other. That is, according to the traffic rules, all three points for the escort vehicle must be fulfilled. In this case, overtaking a vehicle is prohibited, as is overtaking the convoy following it.
The last condition—the special signal—causes a contradiction. The same traffic rules in the description of an organized transport convoy do not say anything about the fact that the escort vehicle must move with a special signal turned on.
Despite the availability of this information, being ahead of the convoy in the traffic flow will be considered a violation. It is also prohibited to take space between any vehicles organized in a formation when overtaking.
In practice, convoys quite rarely use sound signals; technically, the driver can overtake them. However, such a dispute cannot be resolved on the spot when stopped by a traffic police inspector.
What documents are attached to the application for vehicle escort?
Copies of the documents provided for in subparagraphs “a”, “e”, “h” of paragraph 4 of the Rules for the organized transportation of a group of children by bus:
- a charter agreement concluded in accordance with the Federal Law “Charter of Automobile Transport and Urban Ground Electric Transport” - in the case of organized transportation of a group of children under a charter agreement; (As amended by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated June 30, 2015 N 652)
- a document containing information about the driver (drivers) (indicating the surname, first name, patronymic of the driver, his telephone number)
— route program, including: traffic schedule with estimated transportation time; places and times of rest stops, indicating the name of a legal entity or the last name, first name and patronymic of an individual entrepreneur operating in the field of providing hotel services, or the registration number of a tour operator organizing transportation (Subclause as amended by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated June 30, 2015 No. No. 652)
A copy of the license for the transportation of passengers by road transport equipped for the transport of more than eight people - in the case provided for in subclause 4.1 of clause 4 of this Procedure.
- copies of diagnostic cards for vehicles included in the military convoy (other information about the good technical condition of vehicles), with the exception of the movement of vehicles of a combat operation group and vehicles that are prototypes of military and special equipment, - in the case provided for in subclause 4.4 of clause 4 of this Procedure.
- copies of special permits for the movement on roads of vehicles transporting dangerous goods, copies of special permits for the movement on roads of vehicles transporting heavy and (or) large cargo - in the case provided for in subclause 4.3 of clause 4 of this Procedure. When receiving special permission to move such a vehicle along an established permanent route, the official website on the Internet information and telecommunications network on which the relevant information is posted is indicated in electronic form. Submission of copies of invoices is allowed after they have been compiled by the shipper.
