3.8. Are you allowed to overtake a single vehicle moving with its blue flashing beacon switched on?
UAЧи дозволено Вам виконати обгін одиночного транспортного засобу, що рухається з увімкненим синім проблисковим маячком?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning road safety when interacting with special vehicles using flashing beacons. For the theoretical test, it is important to understand when a driver must unconditionally yield the right of way, and when the Traffic Rules establish a direct prohibition on overtaking or passing.
The question tests knowledge of the section on the use of special light and sound signals (points 3.2 and 3.4 of the PDR) and understanding of the terms "overtaking" and "passing" from point 1.10. The key logic is as follows: point 3.4 directly prohibits overtaking and passing only with respect to vehicles moving with beacons in the blue+red or blue+green combination and with a special sound signal, as well as vehicles accompanied by them. If it concerns a single vehicle with only a blue beacon on, there is no direct prohibition on overtaking in this point, so the correct answer in the test is that the maneuver is allowed.
The option "prohibited" may seem logical intuitively, but it is not supported by a direct rule of the traffic regulations specifically for the case of a single blue beacon. At the same time, the correct option "allowed" does not mean "always permitted": according to point 3.2, the driver is obliged to yield and ensure unimpeded passage for such special vehicles, that is, any overtaking is only possible when it does not create an obstacle (does not force the special vehicle to brake, change trajectory, or lose priority) and is performed in compliance with general safety requirements and overtaking conditions.
Clause 1.10 (terms "Overtaking", "Passing")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entry into the oncoming traffic lane.
Passing — movement of a vehicle at a speed exceeding the speed of a vehicle moving in the same direction on an adjacent lane, without entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Clause 3.2
When approaching a vehicle with a blue flashing beacon and/or a special sound signal, drivers of other vehicles must yield and ensure the unobstructed passage of this vehicle (as well as vehicles accompanied by it).
Brief application: this clause establishes the obligation to "yield/ensure passage" to special vehicles with a blue beacon (with or without a siren), but does not establish a direct prohibition on overtaking such a single vehicle in all cases.
Clause 3.4
It is prohibited to overtake and pass vehicles moving with blue and red or blue and green flashing beacons and a special sound signal, as well as vehicles accompanied by them.
Brief application: a direct prohibition on overtaking/passing in the Traffic Rules is formulated for vehicles with beacons in the combination "blue+red" or "blue+green" (and with a special sound signal) and for escorted convoys, but not for the case when only a blue beacon is activated on a single vehicle.
That is, the correct answer is "Allowed.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a direct prohibition on overtaking/passing is established by clause 3.4 only for vehicles with blue+red or blue+green beacons (and with a special sound signal), and for a single vehicle with only a blue flashing beacon such a prohibition is not directly provided (provided that the requirement of clause 3.2 to ensure unobstructed passage is fulfilled).
In this question, it is important to clearly distinguish when the Rules explicitly prohibit overtaking or passing a vehicle with flashing beacons, and when there is no such prohibition.
Clause 3.4 of the Traffic Rules establishes a prohibition on overtaking, passing, or moving alongside or in an adjacent lane specifically in relation to vehicles with certain combinations of beacons activated. In particular, the prohibition applies when blue and red beacons are operating simultaneously, or blue and green (as well as other combinations provided for in this clause).
If the vehicle has only a blue flashing beacon activated, clause 3.4 does not contain a direct prohibition on overtaking it. That is, the Rules do not have a provision that unequivocally forbids overtaking a single vehicle with only a blue beacon, and this is the basis for the correct answer in the test.
At the same time, when approaching such a vehicle, drivers must ensure it can pass without hindrance. In practice, this means your actions must not interfere with the special vehicle: for example, if overtaking in a particular situation would create an obstacle, force it to brake, or change its trajectory, then the maneuver is not allowed. But if the road situation allows you to overtake without creating an obstacle and while complying with general safety requirements, the Rules do not establish a separate prohibition solely because a single blue beacon is activated.
Thus, the correct answer is "Allowed.", since the Traffic Rules explicitly prohibit overtaking only for vehicles with specific combinations of beacons (for example, blue together with red), and for a single vehicle with only a blue beacon activated, there is no such prohibition in clause 3.4.