35.101. Is it necessary in this case to reduce speed or stop if you are driving straight on the main road?
UAЧи потрібно в даному випадку зменшити швидкість або зупинитися, якщо Ви рухаєтесь прямо по головній дорозі:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine checks not the “right of way,” but the safety logic of driving: whether the driver can respond in time to a real danger in their lane. On the road, situations often occur when another road user violates traffic rules or has already created an obstacle, and then the main thing is not priority, but preventing an accident.
The question relates to the section of the Traffic Rules about speed and the driver’s actions when danger arises (paragraph 12.3). It checks the knowledge that even when driving straight on the main road, the driver is obliged to immediately reduce speed up to stopping or make a safe detour if there is an obstacle ahead or a risk of collision that can be objectively noticed. The very fact that a truck is entering or already partially blocking the trajectory, in practical terms, creates a “danger to traffic,” that is, a reason for cautious actions regardless of who should yield.
The option “it is necessary to reduce speed or stop” is correct because it meets the requirement of paragraph 12.3: when visible danger appears, the driver does not continue at the same pace but immediately takes measures to avoid an accident. The option “not necessary” is incorrect, as it relies only on the priority of the main road and ignores the obligation to drive safely: in the theoretical exam, it is important to show understanding that priority does not cancel the responsibility to reduce speed and be ready to stop when the situation requires it.
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.
Explanation of application: even when driving straight on the main road and having the right of way, the driver is obliged to immediately reduce speed up to stopping if another vehicle (for example, a truck that has entered/is entering and creates a threat) creates a danger to traffic that can be objectively detected.
Clause 1.10 (term "Danger to traffic")
Danger to traffic — a change in the road situation or the technical condition of the vehicle that threatens road safety and forces the driver to immediately reduce speed or stop.
Explanation of application: the appearance/presence of a vehicle that has actually entered the trajectory of your movement and may cause a collision is a "danger to traffic" in the sense of the Traffic Rules, and therefore triggers the obligation to act according to clause 12.3.
That is, the correct answer is "Yes.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a "danger to traffic" arises, and the driver is obliged to immediately reduce speed up to stopping in accordance with clause 12.3.
Even when driving straight on the main road, a driver does not have the right to proceed "by priority" if there is a real danger ahead. The main road grants the right of way, but does not relieve the obligation to prevent an accident when another road user acts incorrectly or has already created an obstacle.
In this situation, there is a truck ahead on the roadway (or at the edge of the exit) that may actually cross your path or is already partially blocking your lane. This is an obstacle or a potential danger that the driver is able to see in advance. Even if the truck was supposed to yield to you, its actions may lead to a collision if you continue at the same speed.
Clause 12.3 of the Traffic Rules obliges the driver, in case of a danger to traffic or an obstacle that he can objectively detect, to immediately take action: reduce speed up to a complete stop or make a safe detour. That is, as soon as you see that the truck may pull out in front of you or is already obstructing traffic, you should not "insist on your right," but reduce speed and be ready to stop.
In practice, this means: when approaching such a place, you need to take your foot off the accelerator, start braking to a safe speed, and if the truck continues to move or blocks your lane, stop to avoid an accident.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes," because according to clause 12.3 of the Traffic Rules, when an obstacle or danger is visible ahead, the driver is obliged to immediately reduce speed up to stopping to prevent an accident.