33.5.53. Which of the depicted road signs informs drivers about the place where an acceleration lane adjoins the main traffic lane at the same level from the right side?
UAЯкий із зображених дорожніх знаків інформує водіїв про місце, де смуга для розгону прилягає до основної смуги руху на одному рівні з правого боку?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about informational and direction signs and safe interaction with traffic flow during lane merging. Such situations most often occur at entrances to high-speed roads, at interchanges, and on sections with additional lanes, where it is important for the driver to understand in advance where accelerating vehicles will appear from and how the traffic organization will change.
The question tests knowledge of section 33 of the Traffic Rules, group 5 "Informational and direction signs," specifically sign 5.22. Its meaning differs from similar plates in that it does not indicate the "beginning" or "end" of an additional lane, but rather the place where the acceleration lane joins the main lane at the same level from the right side. In the theoretical exam, this is important because the wording emphasizes the merging (joining) of the acceleration lane, not its appearance or termination.
If we compare the options: signs 5.20.1 and 5.20.2 describe the beginning of an additional lane (on the right or left) or a deceleration lane, so they are not suitable when it is necessary to identify the exact point where the acceleration lane merges with the main one. Sign 5.21.1 indicates the end of an additional lane or acceleration lane, that is, the need to complete the lane change maneuver, not the place of joining. Sign 5.27.1 relates to bypassing a closed section on a road with a median strip and is not related to acceleration or lane merging. Therefore, the correct answer in the context of this exam question is sign 5.22, which warns about the joining of an acceleration lane on the right at the same level, helping the driver to assess the situation in time and avoid conflicts during merging flows.
Clause 33.5.22 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Direction Signs", sign 5.22 "Merging Lane for Acceleration of Vehicles"
Informs about the presence of a merging lane for acceleration at the same level from the right side.
Application: this particular sign notifies the driver of the place where the acceleration lane "merges" into the main traffic lane on the right at the same level (without a grade-separated interchange).
Clause 33.5.20.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Direction Signs", sign 5.20.1 "Start of Additional Traffic Lane"
Informs about the start of an additional traffic lane on an ascent or a deceleration lane.
Application: indicates the start of a lane, not the place where the acceleration lane merges with the main traffic lane.
Clause 33.5.21.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Direction Signs", sign 5.21.1 "End of Additional Traffic Lane"
Indicates the end of an additional lane or an acceleration lane.
Application: informs about the end of the lane, not about the place where it merges with the main lane.
Clause 33.5.20.2 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Direction Signs", sign 5.20.2 "Start of Additional Traffic Lane"
Informs about the start of an additional traffic lane on the left on an ascent or the start of a deceleration lane before an intersection for a left turn or U-turn.
Application: concerns the start of a lane on the left/deceleration lane, not the merging of an acceleration lane on the right.
Clause 33.5.27.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Direction Signs", sign 5.27.1 "Change of Traffic Direction on a Road with a Median Strip"
Shows the direction of detour for a section of the carriageway closed to traffic on a road with a median strip.
Application: not related to the acceleration lane or its merging with the main traffic lane.
That is, the correct answer is "Sign 5.", considering that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, sign 5.22 informs about the presence of a merging lane for acceleration at the same level from the right side.
The question refers to a place where an acceleration lane "merges" into the main traffic lane at the same level, specifically from the right side. That is, this is not the beginning of an additional lane nor its end, but a warning about the joining of the acceleration lane to the main carriageway.
Among the given options, some of the signs indicate completely different situations. Signs that indicate the beginning of an additional lane inform that a lane is just appearing (for example, on an ascent or as a deceleration lane), but not about the place where the acceleration lane rejoins the flow. The sign that means the end of an additional lane or acceleration lane, on the contrary, warns that the additional lane is ending and drivers need to change lanes in time, but it does not describe the exact place where the acceleration lane adjoins.
Also, one of the signs relates to the organization of a detour on a road with a median strip, meaning it is not related to the acceleration lane and its joining to the main traffic lane.
The only sign that directly informs about the joining of the acceleration lane to the main lane at the same level from the right side is sign 5.22 (section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine). It is this sign that matches the wording of the question: the driver understands that there is an acceleration lane on the right, which will soon join the main flow, and needs to be ready to interact with vehicles that will be merging.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Sign 5.", as it indicates the place where the acceleration lane joins the main traffic lane at the same level from the right side.