14.36. What actions are prohibited for the driver of a vehicle being overtaken?
UAЯкі дії заборонені водієві транспортного засобу, якого обганяють?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during one of the most high-risk maneuvers on the road — overtaking. When another driver moves into the oncoming lane, any unpredictable change in your behavior can sharply increase the likelihood of an accident, so the traffic rules require maximum predictability from the driver being overtaken.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules about overtaking and passing, specifically the requirements of point 14.3, as well as understanding of the term "overtaking" from point 1.10 (passing with entry into the oncoming lane). In the theoretical exam, it is important to remember that the driver of the "overtaken" vehicle is expressly prohibited from hindering the completion of the maneuver, and the most typical example of such hindrance is increasing speed when another car is already overtaking.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that increasing speed during overtaking increases the distance needed to complete the maneuver and forces the driver to remain in the oncoming lane longer, creating danger for all road users. In contrast, turning right or stopping are not themselves named in point 14.3 as prohibited actions, but they should not become "other actions" that actually interfere with overtaking; in a real situation, this means acting without abrupt maneuvers, carefully monitoring the situation in the mirrors, and not complicating the completion of overtaking.
Clause 14.3
The driver of a vehicle being overtaken is prohibited from obstructing the overtaking by increasing speed or by other actions.
This clause directly establishes a prohibition for the driver of the "overtaken" vehicle: it is not allowed to complicate/disrupt the overtaking, in particular by increasing speed when another driver is already performing the maneuver.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking is the passing of one or more vehicles involving entry into the oncoming traffic lane.
This definition clarifies that the question refers specifically to the overtaking maneuver (with entry into the oncoming lane), during which the overtaken driver is prohibited from obstructing.
Thus, the correct answer is "Obstructing overtaking by increasing speed.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the driver of the vehicle being overtaken is directly prohibited from obstructing overtaking by increasing speed (clause 14.3), and the maneuver "overtaking" is defined as passing with entry into the oncoming traffic lane (clause 1.10).
Overtaking in the Traffic Rules is defined as passing another vehicle involving entry into the oncoming traffic lane. That is, the driver who is overtaking finds themselves in more risky conditions for a certain period: they have limited space and time, and there is also the possibility of approaching oncoming vehicles.
This is why clause 14.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a clear requirement for the driver of the vehicle being overtaken: they are not allowed to create obstacles to completing the maneuver. The most typical and dangerous way to create such an obstacle is to increase speed at the moment when another driver has already started overtaking.
Imagine the situation: a car behind you moves into the oncoming lane to overtake you, calculating the maneuver based on your constant speed. If you suddenly accelerate, the distance needed for them to complete the overtaking increases. Because of this, they spend more time in the oncoming lane, which sharply increases the risk of a dangerous approach with oncoming traffic or a forced sharp return maneuver.
Therefore, the correct behavior for a driver being overtaken is not to change the situation unpredictably and not to complicate the completion of the overtaking. The Traffic Rules directly prohibit interfering with overtaking by increasing speed (as well as by other actions), because this creates a risk of an accident.
Thus, the correct answer is "To interfere with overtaking by increasing speed," since clause 14.3 of the Traffic Rules prohibits the driver being overtaken from complicating the completion of overtaking, and increasing speed during the maneuver makes it more dangerous and increases the risk of a collision.