14.18. Did the driver of the green car perform the overtaking of the blue car correctly?
UAЧи правильно водій зеленого автомобіля виконав обгін синього автомобіля?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe execution of overtaking near a railway crossing. The topic is critically important for road safety, as overtaking involves entering the oncoming lane and requires increased attention precisely where sudden visibility restrictions, changes in driving conditions, or the appearance of hazards before the crossing are possible.
The question tests knowledge of Section 14 of the Traffic Rules (overtaking) and the application of clause 14.6(b), which prohibits overtaking at railway crossings and closer than 100 meters before them. In the context of the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that not only the start of the maneuver matters, but also the place where it is completed: overtaking is considered performed correctly when the driver has returned to their lane before entering the prohibited 100-meter zone before the crossing. Additional guidance is provided by warning signs indicating the approach to a railway crossing (in particular, 1.31.2), which signal that a section with increased restrictions lies ahead.
The analysis of answer options comes down to the boundary of the prohibition: the statement about an absolute ban on overtaking "before the crossing" is too general and does not take into account the "closer than 100 meters" rule. Instead, the correct conclusion is that there is no violation if the maneuver is completed in advance and at least 100 meters remain before the crossing. In practice, this knowledge helps to avoid common mistakes on the theoretical exam and in real driving: the driver should plan overtaking so as not to find themselves in the oncoming lane or in the process of returning to their lane within the prohibited area before the railway crossing.
Clause 14.6 b)
Overtaking is prohibited: b) at railway crossings and less than 100 m before them.
Brief application: in this task, it is checked that the driver can perform overtaking before entering the prohibited zone, but must complete it (return to their lane) no later than 100 m before the railway crossing.
Clause 1.10 (the term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles, involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Brief application: the question concerns overtaking (not just passing), so the key point is the presence of entering the oncoming lane and the requirements/prohibitions of section 14.
Clause 33.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 1 "Warning Signs", sign 1.31.2 "Approaching a Railway Crossing"
Sign 1.31.2 "Approaching a Railway Crossing" — a warning sign that informs about approaching a railway crossing (installed as one of the approach signs to a crossing in rural areas between other signs of this series).
Brief application: the sign confirms that a railway crossing is ahead, and therefore the restriction from clause 14.6 b) applies (prohibition of overtaking at the crossing and within 100 m before it).
Thus, the correct answer is "Correct, since the overtaking was completed 100 m before the railway crossing.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, overtaking is prohibited at railway crossings and less than 100 m before them (clause 14.6 b), and in the condition the maneuver was completed before entering this prohibited zone.
When overtaking near a railway crossing, the key factor is not only the fact of starting the maneuver, but also the place where the driver returns to their lane after overtaking. The Traffic Rules assess safety based on whether the overtaking occurs within the prohibited zone before the crossing.
According to clause 14.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, overtaking is prohibited at railway crossings and less than 100 meters before them. That is, if at the moment of completing the overtaking (when the vehicle has already returned to its lane) there is less than 100 meters left to the crossing, this is a violation. If the maneuver is completed earlier, the Rules' requirement is met.
The diagram shows that the green car, after overtaking the blue car, returns to its lane before the warning sign indicating approach to the crossing (1.31.2). This sign is installed before the railway crossing so that there is more than 100 meters from it to the crossing. Therefore, the trajectory shows that the green car completed the overtaking before entering the section where overtaking is already prohibited by clause 14.6 (b).
Thus, in this situation, the overtaking was performed without violation: the green car did not overtake at the crossing and did not complete the maneuver less than 100 meters before the crossing.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Correct, because the overtaking was completed 100 m before the railway crossing," since overtaking is prohibited less than 100 m before the crossing, and in the diagram the maneuver was completed before this limit.