10.61. Which lane must the driver occupy before turning left at an intersection according to the Traffic Rules?
UAЯку смугу повинен зайняти водій перед поворотом ліворуч на перехресті згідно з Правилами дорожнього руху?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe preparation for a maneuver at an intersection: the correct choice of lane before turning left. Such situations directly affect road safety, as a mistake with the lane often leads to dangerous lane changes, conflicts with vehicles moving in the same direction, and accidents while passing through intersections. The theoretical exam includes exactly those traffic rules that a driver applies every day: timely positioning, attentiveness to signs and markings, and anticipating the actions of other road users.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules on maneuvering, primarily the requirements of point 10.4: before turning left, the driver must take in advance the appropriate extreme position on the carriageway intended for movement in that direction. In a typical road situation, this means the far left lane. At the same time, if the directions of movement in the lanes are determined by road signs or road markings (in particular, sign 5.16 or marking 1.18), a left turn may also be permitted from another lane or from several lanes, and in that case, the “appropriate position” is precisely the lane provided for by the traffic organization at the approach to the intersection.
The explanation of the options in the exam boils down to the fact that “only the far left lane” is the correct general rule, but does not take into account cases where signs/markings allow a left turn from another lane. On the other hand, “any lane from which turning is allowed” correctly describes the situation prescribed by signs and markings, but without specifying the general rule about the far left lane. Therefore, the correct approach is to combine both depending on the road situation: the driver chooses the far left lane as a general rule or another lane if it is specifically designated for a left turn, and at the same time fulfills the safety requirements of point 10.1 (make sure the lane change is safe, do not create obstacles, and give a turn signal in advance).
Clause 10.4
Before turning right or left, including onto the main road, or making a U-turn, the driver must in advance take the appropriate outermost position on the carriageway intended for movement in that direction, except in cases where the turn is made when entering an intersection with organized roundabout traffic, where the direction of movement is determined by road signs or road markings, or where movement is possible only in one direction as established by the configuration of the carriageway, road signs, or markings.
This clause checks the rule: for a left turn, as a general rule, the outermost left lane must be taken, but if signs/markings allow a left turn from another lane, the driver should take the lane designated for movement in the required direction according to the traffic organization at that location.
Clause 10.6
If a vehicle, due to its dimensions or for other reasons, cannot make a turn or U-turn from the appropriate outermost position, it is permitted to deviate from the requirements of clause 10.4 of these Rules, provided this does not contradict prohibitory or mandatory road signs, road markings, and does not create danger or obstacles for other road users.
This clause checks the exception: under certain conditions (dimensions/other reasons), the driver may make a turn not from the "outermost" position, if this is not prohibited by signs/markings and is safe.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, or making any change in direction, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger for other road users.
This clause applies to occupying a lane before turning left (changing lanes/changing direction): the lane must be taken in advance and only after ensuring the maneuver is safe.
Clause 33.5.16 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.16 "Lane Direction Signs"
Sign 5.16 "Lane Direction Signs" indicates the permitted directions of movement for each lane on the road.
This sign may allow a left turn from one or several lanes — in this case, the driver must take the lane from which a left turn is permitted.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road Markings", 1 "Horizontal Markings", marking 1.18
Marking 1.18 (directional arrows for lane movement) shows the permitted directions of movement for each lane.
This marking, like sign 5.16, determines from which lane(s) a left turn at the intersection is permitted.
That is, the correct answer is "Answers 1 or 2 (depending on the traffic situation).", considering that according to clause 10.4, the driver in advance takes the appropriate (usually outermost left) position for a left turn, but when lane directions are defined by signs/markings (or the exception in clause 10.6 applies), a turn may also be permitted from another lane designated for this direction, provided the safety requirements of clause 10.1 are met.
Before turning left at an intersection, the driver must prepare for the maneuver in advance and take such a position on the carriageway that corresponds to the direction of further movement. This directly follows from clause 10.4 of the Traffic Rules: before turning left or making a U-turn, you must take the appropriate far-left position on the carriageway designated for movement in that direction in advance.
In a typical situation, when the directions of movement by lanes are not specifically defined, such an “appropriate position” will be the far-left lane (or the farthest left position within your carriageway). That is, before turning left, the driver must move to the left in advance, making sure the maneuver is safe and not creating obstacles for those moving in the same direction in the lane into which he intends to move.
At the same time, the traffic situation may be different: sometimes signs or road markings allow a left turn not only from the far-left lane, but from two (or more) lanes. In this case, the “appropriate position” is chosen according to the instructions of the signs or markings, and the driver must take the lane from which turning is permitted. In practice, this means: if at the approach to the intersection the traffic organization allows a left turn from two lanes, both the far-left and the adjacent lane may be correct, but specifically the one permitted by the traffic organization.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Answers 1 or 2 (depending on the traffic situation).", since before turning left the driver must take the appropriate position in advance: usually the far-left lane, but if signs or markings allow a left turn from another lane, then it is also permitted to take that lane.