11.22. In which cases may the driver of a non-rail vehicle drive without keeping as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway on roads with two or more lanes in each direction?
UAУ яких випадках водій нерейкового транспортного засобу може рухатися, не тримаючись ближче до правого краю проїзної частини на дорогах, що мають по дві й більше смуг для руху в кожному напрямку?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine checks the understanding of the basic principle of right-hand traffic and the safe distribution of traffic flows on multi-lane roads. When drivers keep to the right, the left lanes remain freer for maneuvers, the number of conflict situations decreases, and the predictability of actions in the flow increases, which directly affects safety both during the theoretical exam and in real driving conditions.
In terms of content, this question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the positioning of vehicles on the carriageway, specifically to point 11.2 of the Traffic Rules. It establishes the obligation for non-rail vehicles on roads with two or more lanes in one direction to move as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway, and also directly names the exceptions when deviation from this rule is allowed: during overtaking, bypassing an obstacle, and in advance lane changing for a left turn or U-turn. Additionally, it is useful to remember the terms from section 1 of the Traffic Rules (traffic lane, carriageway, lane changing, overtaking, bypassing), as these are used in the wording of the rule.
If we analyze the answer options, each of the three individual cases is correct on its own, as it corresponds to the exceptions from point 11.2: bypassing is needed when the right lane is blocked by an obstacle; overtaking is performed in an adjacent lane when it is necessary to pass slower vehicles; lane changing before a left turn or U-turn is a mandatory preparation for the maneuver, which is often impossible to perform safely from the right lane. Therefore, the correct answer is the final option that combines all three situations, and answers that include only part of these cases are incomplete for this exam question on the theoretical test.
Clause 11.2
On roads with two or more lanes in one direction, non-rail vehicles must move as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway, except in cases when overtaking, bypassing, or changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn.
Brief application: this clause establishes the general obligation to drive "as close as possible to the right edge" and explicitly names the exceptions when deviation from the right edge/right lane is allowed: 1) overtaking, 2) bypassing, 3) changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway of the road, marked or unmarked by road markings, and wide enough for the movement of one row of non-rail vehicles.
Brief application: the question concerns roads with two or more lanes in each direction, so it checks understanding of what is considered a traffic lane and how the driver should position themselves on the carriageway.
Clause 1.10 (term "Carriageway")
Carriageway — the part of the road intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Brief application: in clause 11.2, the requirement is formulated as movement "closer to the right edge of the carriageway," so it checks understanding of what exactly constitutes the carriageway.
Clause 1.10 (term "Lane change")
Lane change — leaving the occupied traffic lane (row) for another traffic lane (row) in the same direction.
Brief application: one of the exceptions in clause 11.2 is "lane change before turning left or making a U-turn."
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — the movement of a vehicle at a speed exceeding the speed of a passing vehicle moving in an adjacent lane in the same direction.
Brief application: clause 11.2 allows not keeping as close as possible to the right edge while overtaking.
Clause 1.10 (term "Bypassing")
Bypassing — a maneuver involving leaving the occupied traffic lane (row) to bypass an obstacle.
Brief application: clause 11.2 also allows deviation from the right edge/right lane while bypassing.
That is, the correct answer is "Answers 1, 2, and 3," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 11.2 directly establishes exceptions to the obligation to move as close as possible to the right edge: during overtaking, bypassing, and lane changing before turning left or making a U-turn.
On roads where there are two or more lanes in one direction, the general rule of right-hand traffic applies: the driver of a non-rail vehicle must drive as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway, that is, mainly in the right lane. This is necessary to organize traffic and to keep the left lanes available for maneuvers.
Clause 11.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine allows not keeping close to the right edge only when the driver is performing actions that objectively require another lane. The first case is overtaking: for example, if a slower vehicle is moving ahead in the right lane, you may move to the left, pass it at a higher speed, and after completing the maneuver return to the right.
The second case is bypassing: if there is an obstacle in the right lane (a broken-down vehicle, roadworks, or another obstruction), the driver has the right to change lanes to bypass it safely, and then return to the right lane when possible.
The third case is changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn. If the next maneuver is a left turn or a U-turn, the driver should take the appropriate lane to the left in advance, since performing these actions from the right lane is impossible or unsafe.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Answers 1, 2, and 3," since on such roads it is allowed to deviate from driving as close as possible to the right only for overtaking, bypassing, or timely changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn.