11.15. On which of the illustrations is the road shown where it is permitted to drive onto the side of the road designated for oncoming traffic?
UAНа якому з малюнків показана дорога, на якій дозволено виїжджати на призначений для зустрічного руху бік дороги?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe execution of maneuvers on two-way roads, specifically overtaking and bypassing obstacles. Driving onto the side of the road designated for oncoming traffic is one of the most dangerous actions a driver can take, so the traffic rules strictly limit such maneuvers depending on the number of lanes and the type of horizontal road markings.
The question tests knowledge of the section about the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway and the requirements of clause 11.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: on two-way roads where there are at least two lanes in one direction, it is prohibited to drive onto the oncoming side of the road regardless of the intention (overtaking or bypassing). Additionally, understanding of road markings is assessed: 1.5 (broken line) allows crossing during a maneuver, while 1.1 (solid line) and 1.3 (double solid line) prohibit crossing and effectively "close off" the possibility of legally driving into oncoming traffic.
In the situation with illustration 1, there is a broken line 1.5 between the traffic flows and one lane in each direction, so crossing the marking and briefly driving onto the oncoming side is possible provided it is safe and other traffic rules are observed. In illustration 2, there are at least two lanes in one direction and a solid centerline 1.1, so there is a direct prohibition according to clause 11.4 and an additional prohibition on crossing the marking. In illustration 3, the road has two lanes in each direction, and the opposing flows are separated by 1.3, which cannot be crossed under any circumstances, making driving onto the oncoming side illegal. This logic often appears in the theoretical exam, so it is important to learn to "read" the markings and the number of lanes before starting a maneuver.
Clause 11.4
On two-way roads with at least two lanes in one direction, it is prohibited to drive onto the side of the road designated for oncoming traffic.
Application to the question: on roads where there are two (or more) lanes in one direction, driving onto the "oncoming side of the road" is prohibited regardless of intent (overtaking/bypassing), so options with 3 and 4 lanes (illustrations 2 and 3) are not suitable.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.5
Line 1.5 — a broken line that marks the boundaries of traffic lanes on roads; it is allowed to cross it.
Application to the question: in illustration 1, the opposing flows are separated specifically by marking 1.5, which is allowed to be crossed, so driving onto the side of the road designated for oncoming traffic (for example, for overtaking/bypassing) is possible, provided safety and other traffic rules requirements are observed.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.1
Line 1.1 — a narrow solid line that separates traffic flows in opposite directions (or marks lane boundaries in other cases); it is prohibited to cross it.
Application to the question: in illustration 2, the opposing flows are separated by a solid centerline (1.1), which cannot be crossed, and the prohibition of clause 11.4 also applies (since there are at least two lanes in one direction).
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.3
Line 1.3 — a double solid line that separates traffic flows in opposite directions; it is prohibited to cross it.
Application to the question: in illustration 3, the opposing flows are separated by a double solid line (1.3), so driving onto the side of the road designated for oncoming traffic is prohibited.
Thus, the correct answer is "In illustration 1.", taking into account that according to the traffic rules, driving onto the oncoming side of the road is prohibited on two-way roads with two (or more) lanes in one direction (clause 11.4), and crossing marking 1.5 is allowed, while 1.1 and 1.3 are prohibited.
To determine where it is allowed to drive onto the side of the road designated for oncoming traffic, first assess two things: how many lanes are in each direction and what kind of road markings separate the opposing flows. It is important to remember that in the absence of a one-way traffic sign, the road is considered two-way, so in all three situations we are dealing with oncoming traffic.
Clause 11.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a key restriction: on two-way roads where there are at least two lanes in one direction, driving onto the side designated for oncoming traffic is prohibited. That is, if the road is organized so that traffic moves in two (or more) lanes in one direction, crossing the boundary into the oncoming flow is not allowed.
In illustration 1, the road has one lane in each direction, and the opposing flows are separated by a broken line marking 1.5. Such a marking is allowed to be crossed during a maneuver, in particular for overtaking or bypassing an obstacle. Therefore, with this traffic organization, driving onto the oncoming side is possible within the rules and provided it is safe.
In illustration 2, the road is shown with two lanes in one direction, and the flows are separated by a solid line 1.1. When there are two lanes in one direction, the prohibition from clause 11.4 applies: driving onto the oncoming side is not allowed. In addition, the solid line itself means that crossing it for such a maneuver is not permitted.
In illustration 3, the road has four lanes, that is, two in each direction, and the opposing flows are separated by a double solid line 1.3. Such a marking is prohibited to cross, and there is also a direct prohibition from clause 11.4 due to the presence of at least two lanes in one direction.
Therefore, the correct answer is "In illustration 1," since this is a two-way road with one lane in each direction and a broken marking that is allowed to be crossed for a maneuver without violating the prohibition of clause 11.4.