14.28. Is the driver of the white car allowed to overtake the tractor in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено водієві білого автомобіля виконати обгін трактора в даній ситуації?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safety of maneuvering near intersections and a common driver mistake: attempting to overtake slow-moving vehicles in a high-risk zone. Intersections require maximum predictability of actions, as vehicles from other directions and pedestrians may appear here, and during overtaking, visibility and reaction time decrease. That is why the traffic rules set strict restrictions on overtaking in such places, which directly affects the outcome of the theoretical exam.
The question tests knowledge of Section 14 "Overtaking" and understanding of the definition of "overtaking" from clause 1.10 (passing with entry into the oncoming lane). The key rule here is clause 14.6 (a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: overtaking is prohibited at intersections. The presence of sign 2.3 "Main Road" only confirms that there is indeed an intersection ahead and determines priority, but this sign does not cancel the prohibition of overtaking within the intersection, regardless of who is on the main road and regardless of the tractor's speed.
The analysis of the options in the ticket comes down to one principle: if the maneuver will inevitably take place within the intersection, it is prohibited. The statement about the possibility of overtaking because the tractor is moving slowly (for example, less than 30 km/h) refers to certain exceptions for some prohibition zones (signs or specific markings), but does not cancel the direct prohibition of overtaking at intersections under clause 14.6 (a). The option "allowed if you make sure it is safe" is also incorrect, because the requirement for safety is general, but it does not make permissible what is directly prohibited by the rules; in real driving, the correct action is to continue following the tractor and overtake only after the intersection, if there are no other restrictions.
Clause 1.10 (term “Overtaking”)
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Clause 1.10 (term “Intersection”)
Intersection — a place where roads cross, adjoin, or branch at the same level, the boundary of which is the imaginary lines between the beginning of the rounding of the edges of the carriageways of each road.
Clause 14.6 a) (Section 14 “Overtaking”)
Overtaking is prohibited: a) at intersections.
Brief application: if the “overtaking” maneuver (i.e., with entering the oncoming lane) is performed within the intersection, it is directly prohibited regardless of which road is main/secondary and regardless of the tractor’s speed.
Clause 33.2 — 33 “Road signs”, 2 “Priority signs”, sign 2.3 “Main road”
“Main road” — a road that has priority over vehicles moving on the intersecting (adjoining) road.
Brief application: sign 2.3 confirms that there is an intersection ahead and determines priority, but it does not cancel the prohibition of overtaking at the intersection according to clause 14.6 a).
That is, the correct answer is “Prohibited.”, given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, overtaking (passing with entering the oncoming lane) at an intersection is directly prohibited by clause 14.6 a).
In this situation, the white car is approaching an intersection, as indicated by the presence of road sign 2.3 "Main Road." The tractor is moving ahead in the same direction, and the driver may be tempted to overtake it by entering the oncoming lane.
It is important to correctly distinguish between "passing" and "overtaking." Overtaking, by definition, involves moving into the oncoming traffic lane. This is the maneuver considered in the question, so we evaluate it according to the overtaking rules.
According to clause 14.6 (a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, overtaking is prohibited at intersections. Intersections are areas of increased danger, where vehicles from other directions and pedestrians may appear, and during overtaking, visibility and the ability to react quickly are reduced. Therefore, performing an overtaking maneuver directly at an intersection is not allowed by the rules, regardless of whether you are driving on the main road.
Sometimes students recall exceptions related to slow vehicles or road markings, but these do not cancel the prohibition of overtaking specifically at intersections. The only thing that matters for this task: if the maneuver cannot be safely completed before the intersection begins, starting to overtake before it is dangerous and will actually result in overtaking at the intersection, which is a violation.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since overtaking (with entry into the oncoming lane) at an intersection is prohibited by clause 14.6 (a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.