35.100. The driver of a truck, without considering the traffic situation, started to move. You must:
UAВодій вантажного автомобіля, не враховуючи дорожньої обстановки почав рух, Ви повинні:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about road safety at the moment when another road user begins a maneuver and creates a potential hazard. In such situations on the road, what matters is not “formal right of way,” but a timely reaction that prevents an accident: early braking, maintaining distance, and readiness to stop the vehicle completely.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding speed and the driver’s actions when a hazard arises, in particular the requirement of paragraph 12.3. According to this paragraph, if a driver can objectively notice a danger or obstacle (for example, a truck has started moving without considering the situation), they are obliged to immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping or to make a safe detour without creating risk for others.
The analysis of answer options in this theoretical exam task is simple: accelerating with a sound signal does not eliminate the risk and may worsen the situation, and using the horn is not a primary obligation compared to braking. Continuing to drive “because you have the right of way” ignores the real danger and contradicts the driver’s duty to respond to changes in the road situation. Instead, the correct action according to the traffic rules is to reduce speed and be ready to stop, to ensure safe passing and prevent a collision.
Clause 12.3
In case of a danger to traffic or an obstacle that the driver can objectively detect, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely bypassing the obstacle for other road users.
This clause directly defines your duty in a situation where another driver (of a truck) has started moving and created a danger: you must immediately reduce your speed up to a complete stop if necessary for safety.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the road situation, the characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, in order to be able to constantly control its movement and drive it safely.
Application: taking into account the road situation (including the unpredictable start of movement by a truck), the driver is obliged to choose such a speed as to be able to react safely — reduce speed or stop.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "b")
The driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the road situation, respond appropriately to its changes, monitor the proper placement and securing of cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving this vehicle on the road.
Application: the start of movement of a truck without taking the situation into account is a change in the road situation, to which you must respond in a timely and safe manner.
That is, the correct answer is "Reduce speed or stop," given that according to the Traffic Rules, in case of a danger to traffic, the driver is obliged to immediately reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle (clause 12.3).
In this situation, you can see that the truck has started moving without making sure the maneuver is safe and without taking the traffic situation into account. For you, this means a potential danger: the truck’s trajectory may cross your direction of travel, create a risk of collision, or force you to suddenly change your speed.
Clause 12.3 of the Traffic Rules obliges a driver who notices a danger or obstacle that they can objectively detect to immediately take measures to reduce speed up to a complete stop or to make a safe detour. In this case, the danger is obvious and predictable: the truck has already started moving, and its driver is acting without proper caution, so you cannot expect the situation to “resolve itself.”
Practically, this means you should reduce your speed in advance, increase your following distance, and be prepared to stop if the truck continues to pull out into your lane or creates an obstacle. Using the horn is not the first required step in such a situation, since the main requirement of 12.3 is to immediately reduce your speed to a safe level and, if necessary, stop to prevent an accident.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Reduce speed or stop," because according to clause 12.3, when a danger arises that you can notice in time, you must immediately take measures to reduce your speed up to stopping in order to avoid a collision.