10.12. You are the driver of the white car and have decided to change lanes to the left. What are your actions?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safely performing maneuvers in traffic on a one-way road. Situations involving lane changes are among the most common causes of conflicts and accidents, which is why the theoretical exam often tests the ability to correctly “read” lanes, assess the speed and distance of vehicles traveling in the same direction, and avoid creating obstacles for other road users.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules that concerns starting to move, changing direction, and changing lanes (points 10.1 and 10.3 of the Traffic Rules), as well as understanding sign 5.5 “One-way road.” The key rule here is simple: when changing lanes, the driver must yield to vehicles already moving in the lane they intend to enter, and perform the maneuver only after ensuring it is safe. The fact that the turn signal is on only serves as a warning, but does not give priority.
In the first option, the mistake is to “tie” the right of way to the fact that the traffic is one-way and the white car supposedly has priority by being on the right: one-way traffic only determines the direction, not the priority when changing lanes. The second option is also incorrect, as it contradicts the requirement of point 10.3: the gray car has priority, as it continues moving in its lane without maneuvering. The correct logic matches the requirements of the traffic rules: first yield to the vehicle in the target lane, assess the situation, make sure the maneuver will not force others to change speed or direction, and only then smoothly change lanes. This is the practical algorithm expected from a candidate in the theoretical exam.
Clause 10.3
When changing lanes, the driver must yield to vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane into which they intend to move. If vehicles moving in the same direction change lanes simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, or making any change in the direction of movement, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Clause 1.10 (the term “Yield (do not create obstacles)”)
Yield (do not create obstacles) — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, or perform any maneuvers, if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change direction or speed.
Clause 33.5 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Information and guidance signs”, sign 5.5 “One-way road”
Sign 5.5 “One-way road” — a road or separated carriageway on which vehicle traffic is carried out in only one direction across the entire width.
That is, the correct answer is: “You will yield to the driver of the gray car and, having made sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users, you will perform the maneuver,” given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, when changing lanes, the driver is obliged to yield to vehicles in the lane into which they are moving and perform the maneuver only after making sure it is safe.
On a one-way road, both vehicles are moving in the same direction but in different lanes. You are driving the white car and have signaled a left turn, meaning you intend to change to the left adjacent lane, which is already occupied by the gray car.
When changing lanes, the key rule is from clause 10.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: the driver who changes lanes must yield to vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane they intend to enter. In this situation, the gray car is moving in its lane without changing direction, so it has the right of way, and you must yield to it.
It is important to understand that turning on the indicator only warns others of your intention but does not give you the right of way. Therefore, the correct procedure is as follows: assess the distance and speed of the gray car, make sure you are actually being given the opportunity to change lanes, check the safety of the maneuver, and only after that smoothly move into the left lane, without creating obstacles or danger.
Thus, the correct answer is "Yield to the driver of the gray car and, after making sure it is safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users, perform the maneuver," because when changing lanes according to clause 10.3, the vehicle already moving in the lane you intend to enter has the right of way, and the maneuver is allowed only after ensuring safety.