11.30. Is a driver allowed to overtake by entering the median strip, which is separated by solid road markings?
UAЧи дозволено водієві виконати випередження, виїхавши на розділювальну смугу, яка відокремлена суцільними лініями дорожньої розмітки?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of maneuvering and the proper organization of traffic on roads with separated opposing flows. Elements such as the median strip are created to reduce the risk of head-on collisions and to discipline drivers: they are not a “reserve” lane for maneuvers, even if it seems that this would allow you to overtake slower vehicles more quickly. In the theoretical exam, it is checked whether the driver understands the purpose of road elements and can distinguish a traffic lane from zones where entry is prohibited.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the traffic rules regarding the positioning of vehicles on the roadway and the prohibition of entering certain road elements. In the Traffic Rules, the term “median strip” (paragraph 1.10) defines it as an element separated structurally or by solid marking lines 1.1 or 1.2, which separates adjacent carriageways and is not intended for the movement or parking of vehicles. Additionally, paragraph 11.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly prohibits entering the median strip, so it cannot be used for “overtaking” (as moving faster than traffic in the adjacent lane) under any circumstances.
The analysis of the answer options here is unambiguous: the statement about the possibility of such a maneuver is incorrect, as it ignores the direct rule of paragraph 11.9 and the very purpose of the median strip according to paragraph 1.10. Even if the median strip is marked with solid lines, which themselves usually do not allow crossing (markings 1.1/1.2), the key point in this exam question is that it is specifically the entry onto the median strip as a road element that is prohibited, not just crossing the markings. This rule must be remembered for correctly passing the theoretical exam and for safe behavior on roads with separated directions of movement.
Clause 11.9
It is prohibited to drive onto an oncoming tram track, tram tracks separated from the carriageway, and the median strip.
(Application: any driving onto the median strip for the "overtaking" maneuver is directly prohibited by this clause.)
Clause 1.10 (term "Median strip")
Median strip — a road element structurally separated or marked by solid road markings 1.1, 1.2, which separates adjacent carriageways. The median strip is not intended for the movement or parking of vehicles. If there is a sidewalk on the median strip, pedestrians are allowed to walk on it.
(Application: if a road element is defined as a "median strip," it cannot be used for vehicle movement, including overtaking.)
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — the movement of a vehicle at a speed exceeding the speed of a parallel vehicle moving in the adjacent lane.
(Application: the question concerns this maneuver, but it cannot be performed "through/on" the median strip due to the prohibitions of clause 11.9 and the definition of the median strip.)
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.1
Marking 1.1 (narrow solid line) separates traffic flows of opposite directions and marks the boundaries of traffic lanes on roads; marks the boundaries of the carriageway where entry is prohibited; marks the boundaries of parking spaces, parking lots, and the edge of the carriageway not classified as highways. Crossing the line is prohibited. If this line marks a parking space or the edge of the carriageway adjacent to the shoulder, crossing the line is permitted. As an exception, provided road safety is ensured, it is allowed to cross this line to bypass a stationary obstacle whose dimensions do not allow safe bypassing without crossing this line, as well as to overtake single vehicles moving at less than 30 km/h. Marking 1.1 is blue if it marks parking lots designated on the carriageway.
(Application: the solid line that may designate the median strip generally prohibits crossing; however, even possible "exceptions" for 1.1 do not override the direct prohibition of driving onto the median strip from clause 11.9.)
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.2
Marking 1.2 (wide solid line) marks the edge of the carriageway on highways or the boundaries of lanes for route vehicles. In places where other vehicles are allowed to enter the route vehicle lane, this line may be dashed. Line 1.2 marking the boundaries of the route vehicle lane is yellow. The line may be crossed in case of a forced stop if it marks the edge of the carriageway adjacent to the shoulder.
(Application: if the median strip is separated by solid lines, crossing such lines is generally prohibited, and driving onto the median strip itself is additionally directly prohibited by clause 11.9.)
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," given that according to the Traffic Rules, the median strip is not intended for vehicle movement (clause 1.10), driving onto the median strip is directly prohibited (clause 11.9), and it is separated by solid road markings, the crossing of which is generally not allowed (clause 34.1, markings 1.1/1.2).
When overtaking, the driver moves faster than the vehicle traveling in the same direction in the adjacent lane. That is, overtaking is allowed by changing lanes within the carriageway, provided it is not prohibited by road markings or signs.
According to the Traffic Rules definition (term 1.10), a median strip is an element of the road that separates adjacent carriageways. It can be constructed (curb, lawn, etc.) or marked by solid lines 1.1 or 1.2. The key rule: the median strip is not intended for driving or stopping vehicles.
If the median strip is separated by solid lines, this additionally means that its boundaries are marked with lines that must not be crossed under normal circumstances. But even if the driver does not "cross" something conditionally, the very act of driving onto the median strip contradicts its intended purpose.
A direct prohibition is found in clause 11.9 of the Traffic Rules: the driver is prohibited from driving onto the median strip. Therefore, it cannot be used as an "additional lane" for overtaking, regardless of whether this is done for convenience or to pass a slower vehicle more quickly.
Imagine a road where a strip separated by solid lines is drawn between directions: a driver decides to partially drive onto this strip to bypass a slower car in their lane. Such an action would be a violation, because the median strip is not a traffic lane, and driving onto it is directly prohibited by the rules.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since clause 11.9 of the Traffic Rules directly forbids driving onto the median strip, and by definition, it is not intended for vehicle movement.