14.35. Is a driver allowed to overtake a vehicle that is moving only with a green flashing beacon, and the vehicles escorted by it?
UAЧи дозволено водієві обігнати транспортний засіб, що рухається тільки з проблисковим маячком зеленого кольору, і супроводжувані ним транспортні засоби?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the rules for safe interaction with vehicles using special light signals and with organized convoys. Such situations require the driver to be as predictable as possible: any “ordinary” maneuver that seems safe may create a risk for convoy participants and other drivers, especially when the escort may suddenly change speed or trajectory.
In terms of content, this question relates to the sections of the traffic rules about special light signals and overtaking. The key provisions are found in paragraph 3.4 and paragraph 14.6(h) of the Traffic Rules: they explicitly prohibit overtaking and passing vehicles with an activated green (or blue and green) flashing beacon and vehicles being escorted by them, as well as establish a ban on overtaking a convoy behind which a vehicle with a flashing beacon (except orange) is moving. It is important to understand that a green beacon in this case does not mean “permission to proceed” as at a traffic light, but signals the escort of a convoy and increased requirements for the behavior of other road users.
The analysis of the options in the theoretical exam is simple: the answer “allowed” contradicts the direct prohibition in the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, since the restriction applies both to the vehicle with the beacon and the entire escorted group. The answer “prohibited” is correct, because the traffic rules explicitly exclude the possibility of overtaking or “squeezing past” such a convoy, driving alongside it at the convoy’s speed, or trying to take a place in the convoy.
Clause 3.4
It is prohibited to overtake and pass vehicles with flashing blue and red beacons, or only red, as well as green or blue and green beacons, and the vehicles (columns) escorted by them. It is also prohibited to drive in adjacent lanes at the speed of the column or to take a place in the column.
Clause 14.6 h)
Overtaking is prohibited if the following are being overtaken: h) columns of vehicles, behind which a vehicle with a flashing beacon (except orange) is moving.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking/passing a vehicle with a flashing green (or blue and green) beacon and the column escorted by it is directly prohibited, as is overtaking a column behind which a vehicle with a flashing beacon (except orange) is moving.
Imagine that a vehicle with an activated green flashing beacon is moving ahead. Such a signal does not mean “permission to proceed” as with a traffic light, but rather that an organized convoy is moving ahead or nearby, accompanied by special vehicles.
The rules explicitly restrict the actions of other drivers regarding such convoys. In particular, the requirements for the use of special light signals state that it is prohibited to overtake or pass vehicles with activated beacons of certain colors, including green, as well as vehicles accompanied by them. That is, the prohibition applies both to the vehicle with the beacon and to the entire convoy it leads or controls.
This is separately emphasized in the rules regarding overtaking: overtaking is prohibited in relation to a convoy of vehicles behind which a car with an activated flashing beacon (except orange) is moving. In practice, this means that even if it seems to you that there is a free lane or sufficient visibility, the very fact that the convoy is accompanied by a special beacon makes overtaking inadmissible. Such a prohibition is introduced for the safety of convoy participants and the predictability of movement, since the escort may suddenly change the driving mode or restrict the maneuvers of other drivers.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the Traffic Rules prohibit overtaking a vehicle with an activated green flashing beacon and the vehicles it accompanies (the convoy), as well as overtaking a convoy behind which a car with a beacon (except orange) is moving.