35.146. Which driving style will ensure the lowest fuel consumption?
UAЯкий стиль водіння забезпечить найменшу витрату палива?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the basics of safe and economical driving. It tests the understanding of how the manner of changing speed affects not only fuel consumption but also safety: sudden acceleration and braking increase the risk of creating obstacles for other road users, while predictable driver behavior helps maintain control of the vehicle and avoid dangerous situations.
In terms of content, this question relates to the section of traffic rules about driver attentiveness, choosing a safe speed, and timely response to changing conditions (specifically, the logic of points 1.5, 2.3, 12.1, and 12.3). The theoretical exam presents a practical principle: the most fuel-efficient style is when the driver accelerates smoothly and likewise reduces speed in advance and gently. Smooth changes in driving mode reduce engine load and do not waste energy "idling," which would otherwise be needlessly dissipated by the brakes.
Options involving frequent or abrupt accelerations always lead to overconsumption: during intense pressing of the gas pedal, more fuel is supplied, and during subsequent deceleration, the excess speed is converted into heat in the brakes. Likewise, abrupt deceleration after smooth acceleration is inefficient, as it breaks the principle of uniformity and deprives the opportunity to use gradual speed reduction or engine braking in advance. In practice, the correct approach means anticipating the situation ahead, maintaining a steady pace in the traffic flow, and reducing speed in advance, which simultaneously complies with traffic rules and helps save fuel.
Clause 1.5
The actions or inaction of road users and other persons must not create danger or obstacles to traffic, threaten the life or health of citizens, or cause material damage.
Smooth acceleration and timely smooth deceleration reduce the likelihood of creating obstacles/danger due to sharp maneuvers and sudden braking.
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 correct placement and securing of cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving this vehicle while on the road.
An economical driving style (anticipating the situation, timely smooth acceleration/deceleration) is a practical result of attentive driving and timely response to changes in the road situation.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe speed within established limits, the driver must take into account the road situation, as well as 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.
Constant control of movement and safe driving in practice means steady movement and smooth speed changes without sharp accelerations and braking, which simultaneously reduces fuel consumption.
Clause 12.3
If a danger to traffic or an obstacle that the driver is able to detect arises, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely maneuvering around the obstacle for other road users.
Timely smooth deceleration (instead of "sudden braking at the last moment") directly corresponds to the requirement to take measures to reduce speed in case of danger/obstacle and at the same time is fuel-efficient.
Thus, the correct answer is "Smooth acceleration with smooth deceleration," given that according to the content of the Traffic Rules, the driver must drive in such a way as to constantly control the movement and timely and safely reduce speed (clauses 12.1, 12.3), without creating danger or obstacles (clause 1.5), and this is practically achieved precisely by smooth speed changes without sharp accelerations and braking.
Fuel consumption increases the most when the driver frequently changes the driving mode: sharply pressing the accelerator pedal and then braking just as abruptly. At such moments, the engine operates under increased load, more fuel is supplied to the cylinders, and part of the energy is simply "lost" during braking in the form of heat. That is, the car first uses fuel for intensive acceleration and then needlessly dissipates the gained speed.
According to the basics of safe driving, as provided by the training program and the logic of the Traffic Rules (choosing a safe speed, anticipating the road situation in advance), the driver should operate the vehicle in such a way as to avoid unnecessary maneuvers and sudden changes in speed. Anticipating the situation in advance allows you not to "catch up" with the flow through sharp accelerations and not to stop at the last moment. This approach simultaneously increases safety and reduces fuel consumption.
In practice, it looks like this: when approaching a traffic light or intersection, the driver does not keep the accelerator pressed until the last moment, but instead reduces fuel supply in advance and slows down smoothly. When it is necessary to gain speed after a turn or on a free stretch, the driver accelerates evenly, without a "forced start." As a result, the engine operates in a more economical mode, and the speed changes smoothly, which reduces consumption.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Smooth acceleration with smooth deceleration," since uniform changes in speed without sharp accelerations and braking reduce the load on the engine and do not waste fuel on "extra" acceleration that then has to be dissipated by braking.