10.16. By which path does the driver correctly make a turn onto a road with an acceleration lane?
UAЯким шляхом водій правильно виконує поворот на дорогу зі смугою для розгону?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely enter a road with an additional lane, specifically an acceleration lane. Such situations often occur when exiting from a secondary road or merging onto a highway, where it is important to reduce the speed difference with the traffic flow and properly “merge” into traffic without creating obstacles or accident risks.
In terms of content, this question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules regarding maneuvering, specifically checking the requirements of paragraph 10.8 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. If there is an acceleration lane organized at the entry point to the road (which is usually confirmed by informational signs such as “start/end of additional lane” and road markings separating it from the main lane), after turning, the driver must move along this lane, gain the necessary speed, and only then change lanes, yielding to vehicles on the main carriageway. This is the logic that the theoretical exam checks.
The option of turning directly into the main lane actually ignores the purpose of the acceleration lane: the driver merely crosses it instead of using it to gain speed and safely join the flow. This contradicts the traffic rules (p. 10.8), even if it seems “faster” or if there are temporarily no other cars on the road. Instead, the trajectory where after the turn the car first occupies the acceleration lane and only then merges into the flow corresponds to the requirements of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine and is correct in the context of this exam task.
Clause 10.8
If there is a deceleration lane at the exit from the road, the driver intending to turn onto another road must timely change to this lane and reduce speed only on it. If there is an acceleration lane at the entrance to the road, the driver must drive on it and merge into the traffic flow, yielding to vehicles moving on that road.
This question checks the requirement: when entering a road with an acceleration lane, the driver must, after turning, drive specifically on the acceleration lane and only from it merge into the flow, yielding to vehicles on the main carriageway (trajectory "B").
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.20.1 "Start of Additional Lane"
Informs about the start of an additional lane on an ascent or a deceleration lane.
The meaning of this sign is important for recognizing that an additional lane is organized on the road (in particular, in related cases — an acceleration/deceleration lane), the rules for using which are defined, among others, by clause 10.8.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.21.1 "End of Additional Lane"
Indicates the end of the additional lane or the acceleration lane.
In the question, this sign emphasizes that there is a separate lane on the right (the acceleration lane), which must be used after the turn, and not immediately "merge" into the main lane.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road Markings", 1 "Horizontal Markings", marking 1.8
Indicates the boundary between the main traffic lane and the acceleration or deceleration lane; crossing it is permitted.
This marking indicates the separation of the acceleration lane from the main lane, confirming the need to first drive on the acceleration lane and only then change lanes.
Thus, the correct answer is "Trajectory B.", given that by the definition of the Traffic Rules, when entering a road with an acceleration lane, the driver is required to drive on this lane and only from it merge into the flow, yielding to vehicles on the main road (clause 10.8).
In this situation, the driver is turning right onto a road where there is an acceleration lane before the main lanes. The presence of this lane is indicated by informational signs, in particular a sign indicating the end of the additional lane (i.e., the acceleration lane), as well as the very organization of traffic with a dedicated additional lane on the right.
It is important to understand the purpose of the acceleration lane: it is designed so that after turning (or entering), the driver can gain speed and only then safely merge into the flow on the main lanes. That is why the Rules require using this lane, and not trying to immediately occupy the main traffic lane.
According to paragraph 10.8 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, if there is an acceleration lane at the place of entry onto the road, the driver must drive on it and only from there merge into the general flow, while yielding to vehicles already moving on this road. The logic is as follows: first, enter the acceleration lane, then gain speed, and then change lanes when a safe gap is available.
If path A is chosen, the driver is actually trying to immediately get onto the main lane, merely crossing the acceleration lane. This contradicts the requirement of paragraph 10.8, since the acceleration lane is specifically intended for driving after entry and subsequent merging into the flow, not for "skipping past."
In contrast, path B complies with the rules: after turning, the driver occupies the acceleration lane, drives on it, gains speed, and only then merges into the main lane, yielding to vehicles already moving on this road.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Path B," because according to paragraph 10.8 of the Traffic Rules, if there is an acceleration lane, after turning you must drive on it and only then safely merge into the flow, yielding to vehicles on the main lane.