10.2. When entering the road via the acceleration lane, the driver must:
UAВ'їжджаючи на дорогу по смузі розгону, водій повинен:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safely merging into traffic when entering a high-speed road or highway. Such situations often occur at exits and entrances where there is an acceleration lane, and it is here that driver errors lead to dangerous close encounters, sudden braking, and traffic accidents. Understanding the principle of right-of-way on the main carriageway is fundamental for the theoretical exam and for everyday driving.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding maneuvering and lane changing, specifically the requirements of paragraph 10.8 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine and the definition of “yield” from paragraph 1.10. The meaning of the rule is simple: the acceleration lane is needed to gain speed to match the flow and safely change lanes without forcing drivers on the main road to change speed or direction. That is, when merging, priority belongs to those vehicles already moving on that road.
The first option is correct because it directly reflects the requirement of the Traffic Rules: merging is performed with the mandatory yielding to traffic on the main lane. The second option is incorrect, as it mistakenly shifts the responsibility to other drivers and creates a dangerous logic of “I must be let in,” which the traffic rules do not provide for the acceleration lane. In practice, it is important for the driver not only to accelerate but also to control the gaps, monitor the situation behind on the acceleration lane, and not to drive onto islands/markings that separate the flows, in order to merge predictably and without conflicts.
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 move into this lane and reduce speed only on it. If there is an acceleration lane at the entrance to the road, the driver must drive along it and merge into the traffic flow, yielding to vehicles already moving on this road.”
This clause directly establishes the driver’s obligation when entering a road via the acceleration lane: to drive along the acceleration lane and, when merging into the flow, to give way (yield) to vehicles already moving on this road.
Clause 1.10 (term “Yield (do not obstruct)”)
“A requirement for a road user not to start, resume, or continue movement, or perform any maneuver if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change the direction or speed of movement.”
This definition reveals the meaning of the obligation to “yield,” which is directly mentioned in clause 10.8 when merging from the acceleration lane.
Thus, the correct answer is: “Merge into the traffic flow, yielding to vehicles already moving on this road,” given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a driver on the acceleration lane is obliged to drive along it and merge into the flow only while yielding to vehicles already moving on this road (clause 10.8), and “yield” means not causing them to have to change their speed or direction (clause 1.10).
When you enter the road via the acceleration lane, you are not yet a full part of the traffic flow on the main carriageway. The acceleration lane is specifically designed to give the driver space to safely gain speed and prepare to merge into the flow without abrupt maneuvers.
According to clause 10.8 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, a driver on the acceleration lane must drive along it, gaining speed up to the level of the vehicles already traveling on that road. This reduces the speed difference and makes lane changing more predictable for other road users.
Another important principle: priority is given to vehicles already moving on this road. Therefore, when merging from the acceleration lane onto the main lane, you are required to yield to those who are traveling on it without changing direction. For example, if a car is moving in the right lane and there is no safe gap between you, you continue driving on the acceleration lane, wait for the right moment, and only then merge.
At the same time, you should monitor the situation not only ahead but also behind on the acceleration lane: other drivers may accelerate faster and try to merge before you. Therefore, before changing lanes, it is necessary to carefully assess the situation so as not to create danger either for the flow on the road or for those moving on the acceleration lane.
Thus, the correct answer is "Merge into the traffic flow, yielding to vehicles already moving on this road," since the acceleration lane is intended for gaining speed and subsequent safe merging with the obligation to give way to traffic already moving on the main road.