14.12. Is the driver of the green vehicle permitted to overtake in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено обгін водієві зеленого автомобіля в цій ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of maneuvering on the road when there is an obstacle ahead in the form of a stopped vehicle with its hazard warning lights on. In such situations, drivers often make mistakes by trying to "rush through" faster, but the traffic rules require anticipating the trajectories of other vehicles, maintaining a safe distance, and avoiding conflicts when moving to the left.
The question tests Section 14 "Overtaking" and knowledge of overtaking prohibitions, in particular clause 14.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: it is not allowed to overtake a vehicle that is already overtaking or bypassing an obstacle. In the given road situation, the vehicle ahead begins to bypass the obstacle (the stopped car), meaning it will shift to the left and may return to its lane. The driver behind, who at this moment tries to pass it by moving into the oncoming lane, is in fact performing an overtaking maneuver as defined in clause 1.10, and such "overtaking of one who is bypassing" is directly prohibited.
If you choose the option "allowed," this ignores the risk of an unpredictable change in the trajectory of the vehicle bypassing the obstacle: it may move further to the left, sharply reduce speed, or return to the right, creating the danger of a side collision or a hazardous approach in the oncoming lane. Therefore, within the theoretical exam, it is important to remember a simple principle: during the bypass or overtaking by the vehicle ahead, any attempt to overtake it at this moment contradicts the Traffic Rules and is not considered safe.
Clause 14.6 (e) (Section 14 "Overtaking")
14.6. Overtaking is prohibited: (e) of a vehicle that is overtaking or bypassing an obstacle.
Explanation of application: In the situation shown in the image, the red car is bypassing an obstacle (a stopped vehicle), and the green car is attempting to overtake a vehicle that is bypassing, which is directly prohibited by clause 14.6 (e).
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles, involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Clause 1.10 (term "Bypass")
Bypass — a maneuver involving leaving the occupied lane to go around an obstacle or a stopped vehicle.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking by the green car would be overtaking a vehicle that is already bypassing, and such overtaking is directly prohibited by clause 14.6 (e).
In this situation, there is a car with its hazard lights on parked near the right edge of the roadway. This constitutes an obstacle in the lane, which another vehicle may bypass only by changing its trajectory and, if necessary, entering the oncoming lane.
The red car is just beginning to bypass the stopped vehicle, that is, performing a maneuver that may involve moving further left toward oncoming traffic. At this moment, the green car plans to overtake the red car, also moving to the left. Such a maneuver for the green car would be considered overtaking, because overtaking, as defined in the Traffic Rules, is passing another vehicle involving entry into the oncoming lane.
Clause 14.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly prohibits overtaking a vehicle that is already overtaking or bypassing another vehicle. The logic of this prohibition is simple: the car ahead, while bypassing, may shift further left, return to its lane, or change speed, and the driver behind cannot reliably and safely predict its actions or maintain a safe interval. Therefore, the Rules do not allow "overtaking someone who is bypassing (or overtaking)", regardless of whether the road section seems wide enough.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since according to clause 14.6 (e) of the Traffic Rules, it is not allowed to overtake a vehicle that is currently overtaking or bypassing another vehicle.