35.56. For the purpose of safe driving, must the driver anticipate changes in the traffic situation?
UAЗ метою безпечного керування транспортним засобом водій повинен прогнозувати зміни дорожньої обстановки:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safe driving and the driver's "proactive" thinking. The road situation is constantly changing: someone is changing lanes, a pedestrian may suddenly step onto the roadway, the traffic light signal switches, and the surface becomes slippery due to rain or ice. That is why, to avoid accidents, it is important not only to react to events but also to anticipate their development in advance, maintaining a margin of time and distance for safe action.
The question tests knowledge and understanding of the driver's duties from Section 2 of the Traffic Rules, in particular point 2.3, which requires being attentive, monitoring the road situation, and responding appropriately to its changes. The same logic is reinforced by the rules on choosing a safe speed from Section 12 (point 12.1) and the safety requirements before maneuvering from Section 10 (point 10.1): to constantly control movement and not create danger, the driver must assess not only "what is now" but also "what may happen in a few seconds."
The option that asserts the necessity to anticipate changes embodies the correct approach to driving: assessing potential risks (a car near the roadside may start moving, a pedestrian may appear from behind an obstacle, a vehicle from a secondary road may not yield) allows you to reduce speed in advance, increase the interval, and prepare to brake. The alternative option, which states that the situation "does not depend on the driver," is incorrect in the context of the theoretical exam: even if the driver does not control the behavior of others, he is obliged to consider its probability and act preventively, because without anticipation it is impossible to fulfill the safety requirements of the traffic rules.
Clause 2.3 (Section 2 "Duties and Rights of Drivers of Motor Vehicles")
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the traffic 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 while on the road.
Brief application: the requirement to "monitor the traffic situation" and "respond appropriately to its changes" directly implies constant anticipatory assessment of the situation while driving, that is, in fact, forecasting its development for safe driving.
Clause 12.1 (Section 12 "Speed of Movement")
When choosing a safe speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the traffic 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.
Brief application: "taking into account the traffic situation" for constant movement control means not only recording current conditions, but also assessing (forecasting) their possible changes in advance to maintain a safe speed and controllability.
Clause 10.1 (Section 10 "Starting Off and Changing Direction")
Before starting off, changing lanes, or making any change in direction, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Brief application: "making sure that it will be safe" requires assessing the probable development of events (actions of other participants, possible conflict trajectories) before the maneuver, that is, forecasting changes in the traffic situation.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to be attentive, monitor the traffic situation and respond to its changes, as well as choose speed and perform maneuvers only with regard to safety, which is impossible without forecasting the development of the traffic situation.
While driving, the driver must not only see what is happening now, but also anticipate how the situation may change in a few seconds. The road environment is dynamic: vehicles change speed and lane, pedestrians step onto the roadway, traffic lights switch, and the surface can suddenly become slippery. Therefore, safe driving is impossible without predicting events in advance.
The requirement to act safely on the road essentially means constantly assessing risks and choosing such speed, distance, and position on the roadway in advance so as to have time and space to react. If the driver reacts only "after the fact," he often makes decisions too late: braking becomes abrupt, maneuvers are forced, and another road user's mistake turns into an accident.
Forecasting is especially important because the intentions of other road users are not always obvious. For example, a car near the curb may suddenly start moving or open its door; a pedestrian may step onto the crossing before you approach; a driver on a secondary road may not stop at an intersection even though he must yield. The driver's task is to notice typical signs of such situations and prepare in advance: reduce speed, increase the gap, shift attention to the potential source of danger, and be ready to brake.
It is also necessary to take into account limited visibility and sudden changes in conditions. Danger may be hidden behind parked cars, trees, billboards, at a turn or over a rise. External factors can also change quickly: the start of rain, dusk, lane narrowing, roadworks. By anticipating such changes, the driver chooses a safe driving mode in advance, rather than trying to "save the situation" at the last moment.
Thus, the correct answer is "Yes," because safe driving requires assessing possible changes in the road environment and the likely actions of other road users in advance, in order to have time to make the right decision and avoid danger.