33.5.50. The depicted road sign informs:
UAЗображений дорожній знак інформує:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests attentiveness to road signs and the ability to properly prepare for a maneuver even before approaching an intersection. Such knowledge directly affects road safety: timely lane changes and speed reduction decrease the risk of sudden braking, conflicts in traffic flow, and emergency situations.
The question pertains to the topic of informational and indicative signs in section 33 of the Traffic Rules, specifically sign 5.20.2 "Start of an additional lane." Its meaning is that an additional lane or a deceleration lane appears ahead on the left, which is usually arranged before an intersection to prepare for a left turn or U-turn. In the theoretical exam, it is important to distinguish: this sign does not "control" directions at the intersection, but only informs in advance about a change in the number of lanes and gives the driver time to safely take the necessary position.
The analysis of the answer options is simple: the correct one is the one that describes the start of an additional lane on the left or a deceleration lane before an intersection for a left maneuver, as this is exactly how sign 5.20.2 is defined in the Traffic Rules. The option about "permitted directions of movement at the intersection" is incorrect, because such requirements are set by other signs (lane direction signs, mandatory signs, etc.) or by markings/traffic lights. The answer "1 and 2" is also incorrect, as it mixes groups of signs with different purposes and may lead to incorrect driver behavior when approaching an intersection.
In practice, this means: upon seeing sign 5.20.2, the driver should assess the traffic situation and, in advance, in accordance with section 10 of the Traffic Rules (requirements for lane changes and left turns/U-turns), safely move to the left if planning such a maneuver. Those who are driving straight usually continue in their lane, and the additional lane is used to prepare for a left turn or U-turn without creating obstacles for other road users.
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Information and Direction Signs", sign 5.20.2 "Beginning of an Additional Lane"
Sign 5.20.2 informs about the beginning of an additional lane on the left or the beginning of a deceleration lane before an intersection for a left turn or a U-turn.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic Lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway at least 2.75 m wide, marked or unmarked by road markings, intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Clause 1.10 (term "Intersection")
Intersection — a place where roads cross, join, 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 10.1 — 10 "Starting Movement and Changing its Direction"
Before starting movement, changing lanes, or any change in the direction of movement, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Brief application: sign 5.20.2 informs in advance about the appearance of an additional lane/deceleration lane on the left, so the driver must change lanes in advance and safely if planning a left turn or U-turn at the nearest intersection.
Clause 10.4 — 10 "Starting Movement and Changing its Direction"
A left turn or U-turn must be performed from the far left position on the carriageway, designated for movement in that direction.
Brief application: the additional lane/deceleration lane on the left, about which sign 5.20.2 informs, is created precisely for the timely occupation of the required (left) position before making a left turn or U-turn.
That is, the correct answer is "About the beginning of an additional lane on the left or the beginning of a deceleration lane before an intersection for a left turn or U-turn," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, sign 5.20.2 directly informs the driver about the appearance on the left of an additional lane (or deceleration lane) for preparing for a left maneuver at the intersection.
Road sign 5.20.2 from section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine belongs to informational and guiding signs and informs the driver about a change in the traffic organization ahead, namely about the appearance of an additional lane on the left side in our direction.
Its key meaning is that an additional lane on the left or a special deceleration lane begins ahead. Such a lane is arranged before an intersection so that drivers planning to turn left or make a U-turn can move to the left in advance, reduce speed, and prepare for the maneuver without interfering with vehicles moving straight.
It is important to understand that this sign does not determine where exactly you are allowed to go at the intersection itself. It does not replace priority signs, lane direction signs, or traffic lights. Its purpose is different: to warn that a lane will soon appear on the left, intended for preparing to turn left or make a U-turn, and that you need to change lanes in advance, not at the last moment before the intersection.
For example, you are driving in your lane and see sign 5.20.2. This means that soon an additional lane will begin on the left: if you need to turn left or make a U-turn at the nearest intersection, you move into this lane in advance and reduce your speed already in it. If you continue straight, you usually stay in your lane, and the additional lane is used by those preparing for a left turn maneuver.
Therefore, the correct answer is "About the beginning of an additional lane on the left or the beginning of a deceleration lane before the intersection for turning left or making a U-turn," since sign 5.20.2 according to the Traffic Rules informs about the appearance of a lane on the left for timely lane change and speed reduction before performing a left turn or U-turn.