10.28. You are driving a car and while driving you decide to change lanes to the left. When performing such a maneuver, you must yield:
UAВи керуєте автомобілем і під час руху вирішили перестроїтись ліворуч. Виконуючи такий маневр Ви повинні дати дорогу:
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe lane changing and interaction with the traffic flow. Changing lanes is one of the most common maneuvers in the city and on highways, but it is during this maneuver that conflicts often arise due to "blind spots," incorrect distance assessment, and attempts to "squeeze" into another lane. Therefore, the traffic rules require the driver not to create obstacles or danger for other road users and to act predictably.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules on maneuvering, specifically the requirements of points 10.1 and 10.3: before any change of direction, you must signal, assess the situation, and yield to those already moving in the lane you plan to enter. In the context of the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the term "yield" (point 1.10): your maneuver must not force others to change their speed or trajectory. The principle of "obstacle on the right" does not apply here, because when changing lanes, priority is given to the "owner" of the lane who is moving without changing lanes.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to whom exactly the right of way is given. The wording "only mechanical vehicles" is incorrect, because when changing lanes, you must consider everyone moving in the same direction in that lane, not just mechanical vehicles. The option listing cars, buses, and cyclists is also wrong, as this is an incomplete list and does not include other participants (for example, motorcycles, mopeds, etc.). The correct logic of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is as follows: when changing lanes, you are required to yield to all vehicles already moving in the lane into which you are merging, performing the maneuver only after checking mirrors and controlling the "blind spot."
Clause 10.3
When changing lanes, the driver must give way to vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane into which he intends to move.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, turning or making a U-turn, and stopping, the driver must give the appropriate signal with the turn indicators, or if they are absent or faulty — by hand, and make sure that it is safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Clause 1.10 (term “Give way”)
Give way — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, not to perform any maneuver if this may force other road users who have priority to change direction or speed.
That is, the correct answer is "Vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane into which you intend to move," given that when changing lanes (clause 10.3) the driver is obliged to give way to the “owner” of the lane into which he is entering, and to perform the maneuver only after making sure it is safe (clause 10.1) in the sense of the term “give way” (clause 1.10).
When you are driving in your lane and decide to change lanes to the left, you are actually performing a lane change. Such a maneuver always affects other road users, so the Traffic Rules require you to do it only after assessing the situation and without creating obstacles.
According to clause 10.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, when changing lanes, the driver must give way to vehicles already moving in the same direction in the lane they intend to enter. The logic is simple: the lane you want to enter is already “occupied” by the traffic flow, and these vehicles have the right of way because they are not changing their direction of movement.
For example, you are driving in the right lane, turn on your left turn signal, and plan to move into the left lane. If there is another car moving straight in its lane behind you (or next to you in the “blind spot”) in the left lane, you are obliged to let it pass and change lanes only when it does not force that driver to brake or change their trajectory. This rule applies regardless of which side the other vehicle is on relative to you at the start of the maneuver: what matters is that it is already moving in the lane you want to enter.
It is important to understand that when changing lanes, the “obstacle from the right” principle does not apply. A different rule works here: the right of way belongs to the one moving without changing lanes, and the one who is changing lanes must yield and ensure the safety of the maneuver.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane you intend to enter," since according to clause 10.3 of the Traffic Rules, vehicles already moving in the lane you plan to enter have the right of way during a lane change.