14.13. Is the driver of the white car allowed to overtake in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено водієві білого автомобіля виконати обгін у цій ситуації?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safety during overtaking and interaction with vehicles moving as part of an organized convoy. Such situations on the road require special attention, as convoys usually move in a coordinated manner, with increased requirements for other road users, and any attempts to overtake may create danger and interfere with the escort.
The question tests knowledge of Section 14 "Overtaking" of the traffic rules, specifically clause 14.6 (subclause "e"), which sets direct prohibitions on overtaking. It is important to be able to recognize a convoy of vehicles (a term from clause 1.10 of the Traffic Rules) and the sign of escort: the presence of a trailing vehicle with a flashing beacon that is not orange. In such cases, overtaking the convoy is prohibited regardless of road markings, road width, or visibility, which is often tested in the theoretical exam.
The option where the maneuver is considered inadmissible is correct, because the Traffic Rules directly prohibit overtaking a convoy followed by a vehicle with a flashing beacon (except orange). On the other hand, the answer that allows overtaking is incorrect: it ignores the special provision of clause 14.6 (h), as well as the fact that in such a situation not only overtaking by crossing into the oncoming lane is prohibited, but also actually passing the convoy and moving parallel to it, since this can disrupt the escort and create conflict points on the road.
Clause 14.6 (subclause "e") — 14 "Overtaking"
Overtaking is prohibited: h) a convoy of vehicles, behind which a vehicle with an activated flashing beacon (except orange) is moving.
Application: in the depicted situation, there is a convoy closed by a vehicle with an activated flashing beacon of a color other than orange, therefore overtaking such a convoy is expressly prohibited.
Clause 1.10 (term "Convoy of vehicles")
Convoy of vehicles — an organized group of three or more vehicles moving together in the same direction directly one after another with their dipped headlights constantly on.
Application: this definition is needed to identify that the illustration shows a "convoy of vehicles" for which the special overtaking prohibition under clause 14.6 (h) applies.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles, involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Application: the question directly concerns the maneuver "overtaking", so understanding what is considered overtaking in terms of the Traffic Rules is being tested.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking a convoy of vehicles behind which a vehicle with an activated flashing beacon (except orange) is moving is expressly prohibited by clause 14.6 (h).
In this situation, the white car is moving behind an organized group of vehicles, that is, a convoy. A convoy is at least three vehicles traveling one after another in the same direction as an organized group.
An important feature in the image is the presence of an escort: at the front of the convoy, there is a car with flashing beacons turned on, and at the back of the convoy, there is also a car with flashing beacons turned on (not orange in color). It is precisely the "trailing" car with a beacon at the rear of the convoy that indicates this is a convoy that other road users are not allowed to overtake or pass.
Clause 14.6 (h) of the Traffic Rules directly prohibits overtaking a convoy of vehicles behind which a vehicle with a flashing beacon (except orange) is moving. That is, regardless of whether there is sufficient visibility or whether the road markings allow it, the very fact of the convoy being escorted by a special vehicle with a beacon at the rear makes overtaking inadmissible.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the driver is attempting to overtake a convoy of vehicles that is closed by a car with a flashing beacon (not orange), which is directly prohibited by clause 14.6 (h) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.