14.49. Is the driver of the yellow vehicle allowed to overtake in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено водієві жовтого автомобіля виконати обгін у даному випадку?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of maneuvers on a two-lane road and the risks associated with entering the oncoming traffic lane. In real conditions, it is precisely the incorrect assessment of visibility on curves that most often leads to head-on collisions, which is why the traffic rules specifically establish places where such maneuvers are prohibited regardless of the driver's speed or intentions.
The task tests the section of the Traffic Rules on overtaking (item 14.6) and the understanding of terms from item 1.10, in particular, what "overtaking" and "limited visibility" mean. On a section with consecutive curves, the driver cannot be sure in advance that the oncoming lane is clear for the entire length of the maneuver, which directly falls under the prohibition of item 14.6 g: overtaking is prohibited on sharp curves and other sections of roads with limited visibility or in conditions of insufficient visibility. Additionally, if the junction on the right is actually a road (that is, an intersection), then the prohibition of overtaking at intersections according to item 14.6 a also applies, but even without this, the key reason remains limited visibility.
Explaining the answer options for the theoretical exam: the statement that the maneuver is possible is incorrect, because the very fact of a series of curves means insufficient visibility in the direction of travel, and therefore the driver does not have the right to begin overtaking. Instead, the option with the prohibition corresponds to the requirements of the traffic rules: when there is no guaranteed visibility of oncoming traffic at a safe distance, any overtaking involving entry into the oncoming lane is considered dangerous and prohibited.
Clause 14.6 [g]
Overtaking is prohibited: at the end of an ascent, on bridges, overpasses, flyovers, sharp turns, and other sections of roads with limited visibility or in conditions of insufficient visibility.
Application: on a section with consecutive turns (limited visibility in the direction of travel), overtaking is not allowed.
Clause 14.6 [a]
Overtaking is prohibited: at intersections (except for roundabouts and cases of overtaking at intersections of roads of unequal importance, provided you are driving on the main road).
Application: if the junction on the right is indeed a road (an intersection), and not an exit from an adjacent territory, then overtaking in the intersection zone is also prohibited.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles, involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Application: the situation in the illustration is indeed overtaking, because to pass, it is necessary to enter the oncoming lane.
Clause 1.10 (term "Limited visibility")
Limited visibility — the visibility of the road in the direction of travel, restricted by the terrain, geometric parameters of the road, roadside engineering structures, plantings, buildings, other objects, etc.
Application: turns (sharp or consecutive) create limited visibility, which directly falls under the prohibition of clause 14.6 [g].
Clause 1.10 (term "Intersection")
Intersection — a place where roads cross, join, or branch at the same level; the boundaries of the intersection are defined by imaginary lines between the beginnings of the rounding of the edges of the carriageways.
Application: if a road joins from the right, it is an intersection, and therefore the overtaking prohibition under clause 14.6 [a] applies.
Clause 1.10 (term "Adjacent territory")
Adjacent territory — an area adjacent to the carriageway and not intended for through traffic of vehicles (yards, residential areas, parking lots, gas stations, enterprises, etc.).
Application: if the exit on the right is from an adjacent territory, it is not an intersection (then the key reason for prohibition remains clause 14.6 [g] — limited visibility).
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, overtaking is prohibited on road sections with limited visibility (clause 14.6 [g]), and in the presence of an intersection — also in the intersection zone (clause 14.6 [a]).
In this situation, the driver of the yellow car is considering overtaking on a section of road where there are consecutive curves ahead. Such curves limit the visibility of the oncoming lane: the driver cannot be sure in advance that there is no oncoming traffic along the entire length of the overtaking maneuver.
According to the Traffic Rules, overtaking is prohibited in areas with limited visibility. This is directly stated in clause 14.6 (g): if the terrain or geometry of the road (in particular, a sharp turn or a series of turns) does not allow you to see the road at a safe distance, entering the oncoming lane to overtake creates an unacceptable risk of a head-on collision.
In the image, this very feature is key: due to the curves, it is impossible to assess the oncoming situation, and therefore the driver does not have sufficient grounds to consider the maneuver safe. Even if other conditions in the diagram could be interpreted differently, the presence of limited visibility is already an independent reason to prohibit overtaking.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since overtaking is being performed on a section with limited visibility due to the curves, and according to clause 14.6 (g), overtaking is not allowed in such places.