11.19. May the driver of a vehicle enter the lane intended for oncoming traffic in order to stop or park near the left edge of the carriageway?
UAЧи може водій транспортного засобу в'їжджати на смугу, призначену для зустрічного руху, для зупинки або стоянки біля лівого краю проїзної частини?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe positioning of a vehicle on the roadway and the exceptions when a driver may briefly enter the oncoming traffic lane not for overtaking, but for stopping or parking on the left side. This topic is important for road safety because any entry into the "oncoming" lane increases the risk of conflict with vehicles that have the right of way, especially at high speeds outside populated areas.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the positioning of vehicles on the road (item 11.3), and is also logically connected with the rules for stopping and parking (item 15.3) and the requirements for road markings (solid line 1.1). The correct approach is as follows: entering the oncoming lane to stop/park at the left edge is allowed only within populated areas and only on a two-way road with one lane in each direction, where there is no solid line or prohibitory signs and no tram tracks in the middle; at the same time, oncoming vehicles have the right of way, and the driver must not create obstacles for them.
The analysis of answer options in the theoretical exam comes down to the conditions of permission. The statement that stopping and parking are allowed only on the right is too general and ignores the exceptions of the Traffic Rules within populated areas. The option about the possibility "on all roads" with two-way traffic is also incorrect, as the Traffic Rules of Ukraine limit this specifically to within populated areas and with additional requirements for lanes, markings, signs, and tram tracks. In practice, knowledge of these traffic rules helps to correctly assess the road situation, safely perform a stop on the left, and remember the obligation to yield to oncoming traffic when entering and subsequently starting to move.
Clause 11.3
On two-way roads with one lane in each direction, in the absence of a solid road marking line or appropriate road signs, entering the oncoming traffic lane is allowed only for overtaking and bypassing an obstacle or for stopping or parking near the left edge of the carriageway within populated areas in permitted cases, while drivers moving in the opposite direction have the right of way.
Brief application: this clause directly allows (and simultaneously limits by conditions) entering the oncoming lane for the purpose of stopping/parking near the left edge — only within populated areas and only under certain road conditions.
Clause 15.3
In populated areas, stopping and parking of vehicles is allowed on the left side of the road, which has one lane in each direction (without tram tracks in the middle) and is not divided by a solid road marking line, as well as on the left side of a one-way road.
Brief application: this clause defines exactly where stopping/parking "on the left" is allowed; in combination with clause 11.3, this means that for such stopping/parking, it is sometimes necessary to briefly enter the oncoming lane, but only under permitted conditions.
Clause 1.10 (term "Populated area")
Populated area — a built-up area, the entrances to and exits from which are indicated by road signs 5.49, 5.50, 5.51, 5.52.
Brief application: the question ties the permission to a "populated area," so it checks understanding that this is specifically the area between the corresponding signs.
Clause 1.10 (term "Stop")
Stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, fulfilling the requirements of these Rules (including at the request of a police officer), or due to an obstacle to movement.
Brief application: this clause is needed to distinguish "stop" from "parking" in the context of the permission from clause 11.3.
Clause 1.10 (term "Parking")
Parking — cessation of movement of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes for reasons not related to boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, fulfilling the requirements of these Rules, or an obstacle to movement.
Brief application: the question directly mentions "parking," so it checks the correct understanding of this mode of stopping movement.
Clause 34.1.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.1
Line 1.1 (narrow solid line) separates traffic flows of opposite directions and marks the boundaries of traffic lanes; crossing it is prohibited.
Brief application: in clauses 11.3 and 15.3, the condition "in the absence of a solid road marking line" is explicitly stated, that is, if 1.1 is present, entering/crossing for stopping on the left will be prohibited.
That is, the correct answer is: "May enter only within populated areas, on two-way roads with one lane in each direction, in the absence of a solid road marking line or appropriate road signs, and tram tracks," considering that according to the definition in clause 11.3 of the Traffic Rules, such entry is allowed only for stopping/parking near the left edge specifically within populated areas and only under the listed conditions, and clause 15.3 clarifies the permissibility of stopping/parking on the left side (one lane in each direction, without tram tracks in the middle and without a solid marking line).
When driving on a two-way road, entering the lane intended for oncoming traffic is usually dangerous and restricted. That is why the Traffic Rules clearly define in which exceptional cases a driver may find themselves in the “oncoming” lane not for driving, but, in particular, for stopping or parking near the left edge of the carriageway.
Clause 11.3 of the Traffic Rules establishes a special rule for roads where there is only one lane in each direction. On such roads, entering the oncoming lane is allowed only in strictly defined situations: for overtaking, for bypassing an obstacle, as well as for stopping or parking near the left edge, but not everywhere—only within populated areas and only where it is not prohibited by other requirements.
That is, it is important to immediately check the conditions. First, it must be a populated area (with the appropriate signs of a populated area). Second, the road must be two-way with one lane in each direction. Third, there must not be a solid line marking separating the flows (because crossing it is prohibited). Fourth, there must not be road signs that directly prohibit such a maneuver or stopping/parking. And fifth, there must not be tram tracks in the middle, as this changes the traffic conditions and creates additional restrictions.
Imagine a typical city street within a populated area: one lane in each direction, no solid line in the middle, no tram tracks, and no prohibitory signs regarding stopping on the left side. In such a situation, you have the right to enter the oncoming lane to stop or park near the left edge. However, you must remember the key safety requirement: vehicles moving in the oncoming direction have priority, and you are obliged to perform the maneuver so as not to create obstacles for them.
If it is a road outside a populated area, or there is a solid line marking, or the corresponding prohibitory signs are installed, or the road has a different number of lanes, or there are tram tracks in the middle, then entering the oncoming lane for stopping/parking near the left edge no longer complies with the Traffic Rules.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "May enter only in populated areas, on two-way roads with one lane for each direction, in the absence of a solid line marking or corresponding road signs, and tram tracks," since clause 11.3 allows such entry only when all these conditions are met and provided that oncoming vehicles have priority.