10.13. You are the driver of the white car and have decided to change lanes to the left, while the driver of the grey car has simultaneously decided to change lanes to the right. You:
UAВи водій білого автомобіля, вирішили перестроїтись ліворуч, а водій сірого автомобіля одночасно з Вами вирішив перестроїтись праворуч. Ви:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) about safe lane changing and avoiding side collisions in dense traffic. Such situations occur every day: two drivers begin a maneuver at the same time, their trajectories may intersect, and knowing the priority during lane changes helps prevent accidents and conflicts on the road.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules concerning maneuvering, specifically the application of clause 10.3 of the PDR of Ukraine. The rule states: when changing lanes, the driver must yield to those already moving in the lane they plan to enter, and if two vehicles are changing lanes simultaneously in the same direction, the one on the right has priority; the driver on the left is obliged to yield. This rule is the key to the correct answer on the theoretical exam.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the simple principle of "the right has priority" in the case of simultaneous lane changes: the statement about the right-hand vehicle having priority corresponds to clause 10.3, so it is correct. The option about no priority ignores the special rule for simultaneous lane changes, and mentioning one-way traffic does not determine priority in this situation, because the decisive factor is the maneuvering rule, not the direction of traffic organization.
In practice, it is important to remember that having priority does not cancel the obligation to act safely: before the maneuver, you must signal in advance with the turn indicator, make sure the road markings allow a lane change, and assess the risk of intersecting trajectories. This is a basic skill tested by exam questions and one that directly affects your result on the theoretical test and your safety on the road.
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.
That is, the correct answer is "You have the right of way when changing lanes simultaneously, because you are to the right of the driver of the gray car," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, during simultaneous lane changes, the vehicle on the right has the advantage, and the driver on the left must yield.
In this situation, both vehicles are moving in the same direction in two lanes and are simultaneously performing a lane change: the white car from the right lane wants to move to the left, and the gray car from the left lane wants to move to the right. That is, their trajectories intersect, raising the question of priority.
Clause 10.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes two key rules. First, when changing lanes, the driver must yield to vehicles already moving in the lane they intend to enter. Second, if the lane change occurs simultaneously (when two vehicles are changing lanes towards each other in parallel), priority is given to the vehicle on the right, and the driver on the left is obliged to yield.
Looking at the positions of the cars, the white car is to the right of the gray car. Therefore, in the case of a simultaneous lane change, it is the gray car, being on the left, that must yield to avoid a side collision. The white car has the right to continue the maneuver, provided it is safe and after signaling the intention with the turn indicator.
Thus, the correct answer is "You have priority in a simultaneous lane change because you are to the right of the gray car's driver," since when changing lanes at the same time, priority is given to the vehicle on the right, and the driver on the left must yield.