In every city there are separate areas, near which there are always many children. It is in such areas that the road sign “Caution, children!” is placed. Seeing him, the driver begins to slow down, this allows him to avoid unpleasant incidents if a child suddenly runs out onto the road.
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What does it mean
This sign implies that there are children in the vehicle on which it is applied. Based on the comments of the press service of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Russian Federation, posted on their official website (90adear), its meaning is as follows.
“To prevent road accidents during organized transportation of groups of children by buses in the Russian Federation, with strict adherence to the special requirements applicable to such trips.”
The mention of c is in clause 22.6 of the traffic rules, which stipulates its use for buses intended for the organized transportation of children.
Its presence characterizes this vehicle (bus) as a carrier carrying out transportation under the following conditions:
- Using a non-route vehicle.
- Transporting children in the amount of 8 or more people.
- The presence of children in the salon without official representatives (parents, guardians, adoptive parents).
- Limit the speed of the vehicle in accordance with the established Rules of the Road relating to this situation.
In addition, full compliance with the requirements of Government Decree No. 1177 of December 17, 2013 must be ensured, which states the following:
- Organized transportation of children can only be carried out using buses no older than 10 years old that meet their purpose and design technical requirements. It must be equipped with a tachograph and equipment that provides control using GLONASS or GLONASS/GPS satellite navigation.
- The outer walls of the vehicle used for these purposes must be painted yellow and have the inscription “Children” on both sides. The size of the letters and paint is determined by the requirements of the state standard.
- The carrier must affix this sign to the front and back of the vehicle.
- The vehicle is subject to a speed limit, with a message for other road users sign 60 on the bus, which is displayed at the rear of the body.
- Boarding and disembarking of passengers is carried out strictly with the emergency situation activated, which is used to attract the attention of other drivers.
- The route for vehicles of this category is developed in advance, and it is prohibited to change it while en route.
- The driver is not allowed to leave the bus if there are children left there.
- Traveling as part of an organized convoy does not allow overtaking vehicles in front.
- In accordance with Government Decree No. 1621 of December 23, 2017, paragraph 2, from July 1, 2018. When driving, an orange or yellow flashing light must be installed and turned on on the roof of the vehicle.
It should be understood that the “Caution for Children” sign does not apply to trips abroad. Currently, this requirement applies only to a few countries, which will be discussed below.
Most other states may use different designations and requirements for the transportation of minors.
How can the traffic police prove your guilt?
Driving without decals is easily proven. It is enough to fall into the hands of an attentive traffic police officer who knows his job and procedural nuances well.
For example, driving without the “Spikes” sign in the obvious presence of studded tires does not leave the driver any room for maneuver . As in the case of transporting children, by bus without the appropriate sign. In these cases, an offense is obvious and a protocol is inevitable.
The situation is more favorable with newcomers. In principle, if the inspector does not pay attention to the date of issue of the driver’s license, and the novice driver does not get into an accident, the likelihood of him being fined under this item is minimized.
Don't forget about video recording devices. The signs are far visible and easy to distinguish even on video devices of not very high quality. Find out how to appeal a traffic police fine using video recording cameras in a separate material.
On our portal we talked about traffic offenses and the traffic police fines imposed for them: for speeding and driving against a red light, for license plates and lighting devices, for drunk driving and overtaking, for hitting a pedestrian and an obstacle.
In conclusion, I would like to say that any changes in current legislation are dictated by the realities of everyday life . If distinctive signs have been developed, then they have a useful component for society.
And if parliamentarians have established financial liability for violating the rules for their use, it means that society is not yet able to independently understand the full importance of these signs. To ensure safety, it is necessary to discipline motorists, and what can be used as a lever of influence on a person if not a blow to the pocket.
In what cases is it installed
If everything is very clear regarding the number of children on the bus - 8 or more, then their age is not mentioned either in the above-mentioned Government Decree No. 1177 or in clause 22.6 of the Traffic Rules. Until March 31, 2017, the carrier could find this information in GOST R 51160-98 “Technical requirements for buses for transporting children” Ch. 1 area of use".
There is wording here that the requirements of the standard apply to buses used to transport children aged 6 to 16 years. In addition, it was once again mentioned that the standard is intended only for movement on the roads of the Russian Federation, as mentioned earlier.
From 04/01/2017, BY ORDER OF ROSSTANDARD DATED 06/22/2016 No. 662, a new interstate standard GOST No. 33552-2015 was introduced.
It operates on the territory of countries participating in the Eurasian Economic Union:
- Russia.
- Belarus.
- Kazakhstan.
- Kyrgyzstan.
- Tajikistan.
It should be noted that the new document formulates technical requirements for buses designed to transport children from an earlier age: from 1.5 to 16 years.
Sign for children on the bus according to GOST
As for the official wording regarding the installation, appearance and size of the sticker indicated in the photo, the documentation here is a little unfinished.
This can be traced based on the following reasoning:
- Following the current standard, one can understand: “The identification sign “Transportation of children” must be installed in accordance with the requirements of the relevant traffic regulations in force in the territory of the EAEU.”
- Let's go further: in the Rules of the Road, clause 22.6 provides the following information: the identification plate is installed as approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation.
- We find the required Decree No. 1177, mentioned earlier. Clause 2 formulates a characteristic affecting the conditions under which a bus is allowed to transport children. Here is a link to the Russian Traffic Regulations.
- The information we are interested in is in the “Basic provisions for the approval of vehicles...” clause 8: “A yellow square, along the perimeter of which there is a red border, inside is an image of road sign 1.23.” From this it becomes clear what this stencil looks like.
Dimensions must meet the following criteria:- the width of the red border is a tenth of a side;
- front side – not less than 25 cm;
- rear side – at least 40 cm.
As for the installation rules, this is not stipulated by any law, that is, this condition remains unfinished and therefore is carried out at the discretion of the driver.
Controversial situations of these violations and ways to avoid punishment
It's no secret that every driver has ever been fined or at least stopped by a traffic inspector. This is often the driver's fault. But there are some cases when traffic police officers exceed their powers, violate the law of the Russian Federation and the norms of ethics and morality.
Go to court
The law provides for 10 days to appeal the inspector's decision . The mistake of many is that they are afraid to go to court, justifying this by the fact that it is irrational to involve a representative of a government body as a defendant. Losing the case is guaranteed. However, this is not the case.
Statistics show that if the driver and the inspector do not agree “on the spot” and the case goes to court, then motorists win in court in 90% of cases.
Learn basic procedural rules
Many cases are lost by traffic police officers even due to the failure to involve witnesses when recording an offense and drawing up a protocol.
The law does not prohibit the driver from entering eyewitness information into the protocol at his own discretion. Although in practice, a government representative is unlikely to allow you to do this. But this ban is illegal. If the opportunity arises, you can request that your witnesses be included.
Put the correct signature on the protocol
Many believe that signing a protocol is a tacit agreement to admit guilt in committing an offense. This is wrong.
By signing the protocol, you confirm that you have read the protocol, the data is entered correctly, and you were given a copy. Please note that there is a column “explanations of the violator”. In it you can outline your view of the violation charged to you. Here you can write about the illegal behavior of a traffic police officer.
It is very important to receive a copy of the protocol ! If you refuse a copy on the spot, you may then encounter a string of bureaucratic obstacles to obtaining a legal copy.
Rules for a passenger car
With regard to a passenger car, there is a twofold situation here. If you follow the traffic rules, any car containing children must be equipped with a sign.
This condition has been in effect since April 4, 2021, when further changes were introduced, but more on that later, but we should start with the transportation rules. The above conditions apply to transporting a child on a bus during an organized bus trip.
The article will tell you about the models of bicycle trailers for transporting children: Bicycle trailers for transporting children. What is the price when ordering a minibus for transporting people, read here.
As for passenger transport, first of all, you should adhere to clause 22.9 of the Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation, that is, the conditions that children under 7 years old must be in a special car seat that meets the requirements of current legislation.
Upon reaching this age, transportation in the rear seat is carried out at the discretion of the driver, in the front seat - strictly with the use of a child restraint system. This requirement applies to cars and trucks. The information provided characterizes the conditions for transporting a child.
The answer to the question: is a sign for children in a car needed on a personal car can be traced by the following analysis of legislation:
- Let’s take the traffic rules into our hands again, in the “Basic provisions on admission ...”, paragraph 8 there is a list of identification marks that must be installed on the vehicle without fail. In paragraph 3 there is information that the presence of a sign is mandatory, as well as others:
- thorns;
- road train;
- deaf driver and so on.
- Based on this, every personal car in which a child is transported (to school, kindergarten, store and for other purposes) must have a “Caution for Children” sticker. This is once again confirmed by the reference to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, Art. 12.5 clause 1, which implies an administrative violation for this.
The fact that at the moment this criterion is not considered by traffic police officers remains unknown, since in the situation there is a direct connection between the above-mentioned requirements of the traffic rules and the Code of Administrative Offences.
The legislation does not specify up to what age it should be applied, since the conditions presented in GOST 33552-2015 affect the situation regarding buses.
Using the "Caution, Children" sign in other countries
Currently, a favorite hobby for many Russians is traveling. Often, they go to conquer foreign countries using personal transport. Before committing such an extreme action, it is worth learning the traffic rules in force in neighboring republics.
This especially applies to the “Beware of Children” road sign:
- In the USA, such a sign is installed exactly 150 meters from the proposed establishment. Seeing him, the driver must reduce the speed to 40 kilometers per hour and give way to the child, wherever he decides to cross. There is a patrol at zebra crossings and regulates traffic;
- In some countries, the figures on the road signs are noticeably different. For example, in Poland you can see a cute couple - a boy and a girl. In Israel there is also an interesting picture in which a little girl runs away from her mother. In some countries these same two little men are installed, but there they do not run, but calmly walk;
- In the UK, driving is predominantly on the left, so their road sign shows children running in the opposite direction.
It doesn’t matter what kind or where the “Caution, Children” road sign is installed. It is different in each country, but it is easy to recognize by its small silhouettes. Separately, you should pay attention to the indicated distance to the child care facility.
Children often commit unreasonable actions: cross the road in the wrong places, make their movements not according to the rules, play in the wrong places. Those areas where this can happen most often are indicated by a special road sign.
The task of every parent is to explain to their child how to behave correctly on the roads. The driver’s responsibility is to reduce the speed in these places to a certain point, no matter how much he is in a hurry. All these actions will help you avoid unpleasant situations on the road.
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Free online consultation with a car lawyer
Didn't find the answer to your question? Find out how to solve exactly your problem - call right now: +7 (Moscow) +7 (812) 309-53-42 (St. Petersburg) It's fast and free!
What other designations should there be?
An additional sign used in this case can be considered the “Speed Limit” sticker.
It looks like this:
- The appearance is identical to the reduced color image of prohibition sign 3.24 shown in the photo.
- Diameter no less than 16 cm.
- The width of the border is a tenth of the diameter, that is, at least 1.6 cm.
The place where it is installed is defined as the lower part of the body. In the presented image, the driver stuck it in the middle, which can also be regarded as a violation with all the ensuing consequences.
It must be emphasized that the requirement to have a sticker limiting the maximum speed of the vehicle applies only to buses and minibuses intended for organized transportation.
There are no speed restrictions for passenger cars with a child in the cabin.
What is the punishment if there is no identification mark?
For the absence of mandatory signs on the rear or front window of a car, an administrative sanction in the form of a fine of 500 rubles may be applied to the driver. At best, the traffic police officer will only issue a warning.
Within the framework of the issue under consideration, it should be noted that Art. 12.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation provides for driver liability for improper transportation of minors. In case of violation of traffic rules, he faces a fine of 3 thousand rubles.
You can also receive a fine of 500 rubles for having a “Children in the car” sticker if it is attached to the windshield and interferes with the driver’s view, which is also a violation of clause 7.3 of the current traffic rules.
Fine for absence
Failure by the driver to fulfill obligations related to the requirement to apply an appropriate identification mark to a motor vehicle used for transporting minors will subject the violator to administrative liability.
From 04/04/2017, in accordance with Government Decree No. 333 of 03/24/2017, the penalty is applied based on the conditions provided for in Art. 12.5 part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
Currently, she can be charged as follows:
- Fine 500 rub.
- Warning.
An authorized traffic police officer has the right to assess the situation at his own discretion and punish or limit himself to a verbal remark depending on each individual situation.
Consent to take a child abroad with one of the parents, about this in the article: Power of attorney to take a child abroad. Read how to send a notification to the traffic police about the transportation of children here.
Information about the rules for transporting children under one year old in a car is in this publication.
Thus, if clause 22.6 of the Road Traffic Rules directly provides for the conditions for an organized trip on a bus or truck, then the “Basic Provisions for Admission..” consider the situation differently.
As a result of the analysis, it turns out that almost every car needs to have the appropriate stickers, both front and rear.
Recommendations for transporting a child in a car
Experts recommend adhering to the following rules when transporting children in a car:
- to install a child restraint system, choose the central place of the rear passenger seat - it is best protected from side impacts;
- for transporting babies and toddlers up to one year old - use a special car seat installed rearward;
- Before each trip, check that the car seat is securely fastened;
- do not neglect seat belts and fasten the child with them;
- the seat must correspond to the age and weight of the child, as well as the technical features of the car interior;
- refuse frameless models of child restraints - due to the latest innovations, you can receive a fine for using them;
- observe speed limits and distance while driving;
- eliminate aggressive driving methods;
- turn off the airbags where a small passenger is being transported;
- Install a sign on the rear window of the car indicating the presence of a minor in the car.
By following the unspoken rules for transporting children in a car, the driver will be able to ensure their maximum safety while driving.