35.80. If the driver of the white car suddenly starts a lane change maneuver into your lane from the lane on the left, what should you do?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about road safety in traffic flow and the correct response to sudden danger when another driver creates a conflict of trajectories while driving in adjacent lanes. In such situations, the theoretical exam tests not the “ability to defend your right of way,” but the ability to choose actions that actually reduce the risk of an accident and correspond to the basic principle of traffic rules: not to create danger and to respond to changes in the situation in advance.
The question checks the sections of the Traffic Rules regarding maneuvering and choosing a safe speed: the driver's duties to be attentive and respond to danger (including the requirement to immediately reduce speed up to stopping), as well as the rules on lane changing, where the driver who changes lanes must make sure it is safe and yield to those moving in the lane without changing direction. Formally, you have the right of way in your current lane, but in real traffic, the priority remains to avoid a collision, so the safest tactic is to reduce speed, increase the gap, and allow the other car to complete the maneuver.
The analysis of the options in this exam question shows why aggressive actions worsen the situation. Accelerating usually only reduces the distance and increases the likelihood of side contact, and therefore contradicts the requirements of safe speed and responding to danger. A sound signal can warn, but does not guarantee that the other driver will have time to react, and by itself does not eliminate the risk of collision; it can be auxiliary, but not the main solution in the theoretical exam. On the other hand, reducing speed and allowing the lane change to be completed directly corresponds to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine regarding actions in case of danger and helps maintain control of the situation without abrupt maneuvers.
Clause 12.3
In the event of a danger to traffic that the driver is objectively able to detect, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely maneuvering around the obstacle for other road users.
Clause 10.3
When changing lanes, the driver must yield to vehicles moving in the same direction without changing their direction in the lane into which he intends to move.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, turning, making a U-turn, or stopping, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Clause 1.10 (the term "Yield (do not create obstacles)")
Yield (do not create obstacles) — a requirement for a road user not to continue or start moving, not to perform any maneuvers if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change their direction or speed.
Clause 2.3
To ensure road safety, 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 while on the road.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe speed within the 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.
Clause 13.1
Depending on the speed, road situation, characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, the driver must maintain a safe distance and safe interval.
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.
That is, the correct answer is "Reduce speed and allow him to complete the lane change maneuver," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, in the event of danger (a sudden lane change into your lane), you are required to immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping (clause 12.3), move in such a way as not to create danger (clause 1.5), and maintain the ability to safely control the vehicle (clauses 12.1, 13.1).
In this situation, the white car from the left lane suddenly begins to change lanes into your lane. According to the Traffic Rules, the driver who is changing lanes must ensure the maneuver is safe and, while changing lanes, must yield to vehicles moving in the lane he intends to enter. That is, formally, you have the right of way because you are driving straight in your own lane.
However, in real traffic, the main priority for a driver is not to “defend the right of way,” but to avoid an accident. If another driver is already actually “entering” your lane and doing so abruptly, any attempt to maintain speed or accelerate to “not let them in” creates a conflict of trajectories and sharply increases the risk of a side collision. Even if the other driver is at fault, the consequences of a collision and the danger to people do not disappear.
The safest tactic in such a case is to reduce your speed in advance, increase the distance, and allow the white car to complete the lane change. This corresponds to the general obligation of the driver to act in a way that does not create danger or obstacles for other road users, and allows you to maintain control of the situation without sudden maneuvers. Sudden braking or a sharp turn of the steering wheel without necessity, on the contrary, can provoke even more dangerous consequences (for example, a rear-end collision or loss of control).
Imagine you are driving steadily in the right lane, and a car from the left begins to “cut in” to your lane at a short distance. If you simply slightly reduce your speed, the other driver will have space to complete the maneuver, and you will have extra time to monitor the traffic situation. This is the practical application of the principle of safe driving: to avoid conflict and allow another driver’s mistake not to turn into an accident.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Reduce speed and allow him to complete the lane change," because when another car is changing lanes abruptly, the best way to prevent an accident is to lower your speed, increase the safe interval, and let him finish the maneuver without a conflict of trajectories.