11.8. What should the driver do in this situation when driving straight ahead?
UAЯк повинен вчинити водій у даній ситуації в разі руху прямо?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe positioning of a vehicle on a multi-lane road and lane discipline. Such situations often occur in city traffic when a driver is "stuck" between two lanes or delays completing a maneuver. Knowing these rules is important not only for the theoretical exam, but also for preventing side collisions and conflicts during lane changes.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding lane movement (points 11.10 and 11.3, as well as the logic of lane selection according to 11.2 and 11.5). When the carriageway is marked with lanes, prolonged movement while occupying two lanes at once is prohibited: the dashed line may only be crossed during the lane change itself (p. 11.10). If the driver continues straight ahead, they must complete the maneuver and occupy a single lane; moreover, as a general rule, on a road with two or more lanes in one direction, one should keep as close as possible to the right edge (p. 11.2), and there is no reason to remain in the left lane without necessity (p. 11.5).
That is why the option to change to the right lane is correct: it simultaneously fulfills the requirement not to drive "on two lanes" and complies with the basic rule of keeping to the right when driving straight ahead. Suggestions to change "left or right" do not provide the correct choice of lane for further straight movement, the option to "stay in the same place" contradicts p. 11.10, and changing to the left lane is only permitted under conditions specified by the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (for example, for overtaking, preparing for a left turn/U-turn, or when the right lanes are occupied).
Clause 11.10
On roads where the carriageway is divided into lanes by road markings, it is prohibited to drive while occupying two lanes at the same time. Crossing over broken lane markings is allowed only when changing lanes.
Brief application: the position of the vehicle "on two lanes" is permissible only as a short-term state during lane changing; for further straight movement, the driver must occupy a single lane.
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 when overtaking, bypassing, or changing lanes before turning left or making a U-turn.
Brief application: if the driver is moving straight and there are no grounds for moving/changing lanes to the left (overtaking, bypassing, preparing for a left turn/U-turn), he must occupy the right lane.
Clause 11.5
On roads with two or more lanes in one direction, entering the far left lane for movement in the same direction is allowed if the right lanes are occupied, as well as for turning left, making a U-turn, or for stopping or parking on the left side of a one-way road in populated areas, provided this does not contradict stopping (parking) rules.
Brief application: driving in the left lane is not the "default" mode; if the right lane is free and the vehicle is moving straight, there are no grounds to occupy the left lane.
Clause 11.3
On two-way roads with two or more lanes in each direction, it is prohibited to enter the side of the road designated for oncoming traffic.
Brief application: if there is a separation of traffic flows (in particular, by solid lines), the driver is not allowed to enter the side of the road designated for oncoming traffic; in this case, this is an accompanying requirement for the safe positioning of the vehicle on its own side of the road.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway at least 2.75 m wide, which is marked or unmarked by road markings and intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Brief application: the driver must move within a single lane, not simultaneously on two adjacent lanes.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Change to the right lane," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, movement on a marked road is not allowed while simultaneously occupying two lanes (clause 11.10), and when moving straight on a multi-lane road, the driver must keep as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway (clause 11.2) and has no grounds to occupy the left lane if the right one is free (clause 11.5).
In this situation, the roadway is divided by markings into traffic lanes, and there are two lanes in each direction. The driver is moving in such a way that the vehicle actually occupies two lanes at once, crossing the dashed line between them.
According to clause 11.10 of the Traffic Rules, when the lanes are marked, the driver is prohibited from moving while simultaneously occupying two lanes. Crossing the dashed line between lanes is allowed only for a short time and only for the purpose of changing lanes. That is, the driver must complete the maneuver and occupy a single specific lane in their direction of travel.
The next question arises: which lane should be chosen if the driver continues to move straight ahead? The answer is provided by the rule for positioning vehicles on a road with several lanes in one direction (clause 11.3 of the Traffic Rules): under normal conditions, you must keep as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway. The left lane is mainly used for overtaking or preparing for a left turn or U-turn, and not for prolonged straight-ahead movement if the right lane is free.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Change to the right lane," since when moving straight ahead, the driver is not allowed to occupy two lanes at the same time and must position themselves as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway.