35.144. You want to overtake a cyclist. What should you take into account when assessing the lateral clearance?
UAВи хочете обігнати велосипедиста. Що Ви повинні врахувати при оцінці бокового інтервалу?
Question without image
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning safety when overtaking vulnerable road users and the correct choice of a safe lateral clearance. The theoretical test checks whether the driver understands that the clearance must genuinely ensure safety, not just be a formal number: a cyclist may lose balance, deviate from their path, or suddenly swerve to avoid an obstacle, so the risk of side contact must always be anticipated in advance.
The question tests knowledge of sections of the traffic rules regarding safe clearance and the conditions for overtaking, in particular the definition of "safe clearance" (para. 1.10), the requirement to choose the clearance depending on speed and road conditions (para. 13.1), as well as the principle of overtaking without creating danger to others (para. 14.1) and the general duty of the driver to be attentive (para. 2.3). The point is that when overtaking a cyclist, you need to assess not only the distance in meters but also the dynamics of the situation: how quickly you are approaching and how predictably the cyclist is moving.
The analysis of the answer options in this exam question reveals a typical trap: the statement about an "always sufficient" fixed distance is incorrect, because a safe clearance in the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is determined by the traffic conditions and cannot be the same in all cases. Instead, the correct approach is to take into account the cyclist's behavior (possible swerves, avoiding potholes, gusts of wind, unsteady riding) and the speed of your own vehicle (the higher it is, the more space is needed due to the speed difference and the effect of the air stream); these two factors explain why the correct answer is a combined option.
Clause 1.10 (term “Safe interval”)
Safe interval — the distance between the lateral sides of moving vehicles, as well as between them and other objects, which ensures road safety.
Clause 13.1
The driver, depending on the speed of movement, road conditions, characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, must maintain a safe distance and a safe interval.
Application explanation: when overtaking a cyclist, the lateral interval is assessed taking into account, in particular, the speed of your own vehicle (the higher the speed, the greater the safe interval should be).
Clause 14.1
Overtaking is permitted only if the lane into which the driver intends to move is clear for a sufficient distance for overtaking and during overtaking the driver does not create danger or obstacles for other road users.
Application explanation: when overtaking a cyclist, it is necessary to consider the possible change in their trajectory (the cyclist’s behavior) so that overtaking does not create danger.
Clause 2.3 (subparagraph “b”)
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the road situation, respond appropriately to its changes, monitor the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving while on the road.
Application explanation: when overtaking a cyclist, the driver must carefully assess their actions and possible deviations from a straight path in order to correctly choose the lateral interval.
That is, the correct answer is “Answers 2 and 3.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a safe interval must ensure safety, and according to clauses 13.1 and 14.1, it is chosen taking into account the speed of movement and road conditions (including the possible behavior of the cyclist during overtaking), so as not to create danger.
When overtaking a cyclist, the main task of the driver is to ensure a safe lateral clearance. According to the Traffic Rules, the clearance when passing (including cyclists) must be sufficient to avoid a collision, and in practice for a cyclist this means at least 1 meter. However, a “sufficient” clearance is not a fixed value in all situations: it must be assessed taking into account the specific conditions.
First, you should consider your own speed. The faster the car moves during overtaking, the stronger the effect of the air flow and the difference in speeds on the cyclist’s stability. At low speed, 1 meter may be sufficient, but at higher speed the same clearance may no longer guarantee safety, so it is advisable to increase it or reduce speed during the maneuver.
Second, you need to consider the possible behavior of the cyclist. The cyclist may deviate from a straight path due to road irregularities, avoiding an obstacle, a gust of wind, or simply due to loss of balance. Even a slight “shift” of the bicycle to the side during your overtaking with a small clearance creates a risk of contact with the car, so the driver should allow extra space for such unpredictable movements.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Answers 2 and 3,” since a safe lateral clearance when overtaking a cyclist is determined not only by the minimum distance, but primarily depends on the speed of your vehicle and possible deviations in the cyclist’s movement.