38.7. Which of the following actions by road users may lead to a dangerous situation while changing lanes in traffic flow?
UAЯкі з перерахованих дій учасників дорожнього руху можуть призвести до виникнення аварійної ситуації під час перестоювання в транспортному потоці?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe lane changing in traffic flow and preventing hazardous situations. In real traffic, changing lanes is almost always associated with limited visibility, speed differences, and the need to accurately assess distance and spacing. That is why the traffic rules require predictable actions, not creating danger for others, and not provoking situations where someone is forced to brake sharply or change direction.
In essence, this question tests sections of the Traffic Rules related to maneuvering and the general duties of the driver: the definition of a "hazardous situation" (item 1.10), the requirement not to create danger (item 1.5), the obligation to ensure safety before changing lanes and to yield to vehicles already in the desired lane (items 10.1, 10.3), as well as the rules for using turn signals (items 9.2, 9.4). Such situations are often included in the theoretical exam because they show whether the candidate understands that lane changing is not a "right," but a maneuver allowed only if there is no risk to others.
Each of the typical actions in the answer options can create a hazardous situation. Changing lanes near the "blind spot" is dangerous because another driver may not see you in the mirrors, and signaling does not give you priority or "reserve" the lane. Sudden braking of the vehicle ahead without necessity contradicts the prohibition in the rules (item 12.9) and is especially critical when the driver behind is monitoring mirrors and spacing during the maneuver. Sudden acceleration of a vehicle in the adjacent lane from behind also disrupts the calculated spacing, can "hide" the car in the blind spot, and force the one changing lanes to urgently abandon the maneuver or sharply alter their trajectory.
The practical conclusion for exam preparation and everyday driving is simple: safe lane changing requires early signaling, checking blind spots, maintaining distance (item 13.1), and being ready to postpone the maneuver if the situation changes. In this context, the correct answer is the generalizing option, since any of the listed actions make movement unpredictable and create conditions where other participants are forced to act abruptly, that is, a hazardous situation arises according to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.
Clause 1.10 (term "Emergency situation")
Emergency situation — a situation characterized by road users violating the requirements of the Traffic Rules and forcing other road users to sharply change speed, direction of movement, or take other measures to ensure their own safety or the safety of other citizens.
Brief application: the question checks understanding of which actions during lane changing/moving in traffic flow may force others to brake sharply, accelerate, or change trajectory (i.e., create an emergency situation).
Clause 1.5
Road users are obliged to act in such a way as not to create danger or obstacles to traffic, threats to the life or health of citizens, and not to cause material damage.
Brief application: being in the "blind spot," sudden braking without necessity, or sharply accelerating "into a gap" during someone else's lane change can create danger/obstacles, which directly contradicts this general requirement.
Clause 9.2
Turn signals must be given in advance before starting a maneuver and must be stopped immediately after its completion.
Brief application: during lane changing in traffic, an untimely signal (or its absence) sharply increases the risk of an emergency situation, especially in the presence of "blind spots."
Clause 9.4
Giving a signal with turn indicators or by hand does not give the driver priority in movement and does not exempt them from taking precautionary measures.
Brief application: even after turning on the indicator, the driver must make sure that the lane change is safe (including considering "blind spots" and possible speed changes of other vehicles).
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, turning (making a U-turn), and stopping, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Brief application: this is the key rule regarding lane changing; it covers risks associated with "blind spots" as well as with sudden speed changes of other vehicles in the flow.
Clause 10.3
When changing lanes, the driver must yield to vehicles moving in the same direction in the lane into which they intend to move. In the case of simultaneous lane changes by vehicles moving in the same direction, the driver on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
Brief application: changing lanes "into the flow" without yielding (especially when another car is in a limited visibility zone in the mirrors) is a typical cause of an emergency situation.
Clause 12.9 (driver prohibitions regarding braking)
The driver is prohibited from braking sharply if there is no need to prevent a traffic accident.
Brief application: "sharp braking in front of a following vehicle" without necessity falls directly under this prohibition and can cause an emergency situation, especially when the driver behind is monitoring the adjacent lane during a lane change.
Clause 13.1
Depending on the speed, road conditions, characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, the driver must maintain a safe distance and safe interval.
Brief application: during lane changing (when attention is partially switched to mirrors/"blind spots"), violation of a safe distance/interval makes any sudden braking or acceleration in the flow especially dangerous.
That is, the correct answer is "All of the above," given that by the definition of the Traffic Rules, an emergency situation is one that forces other participants to sharply change speed/direction or take urgent safety measures, and the requirements of clauses 1.5, 10.1, 10.3, 9.4, 12.9, and 13.1 are aimed at preventing exactly such dangerous actions during lane changing in traffic flow.
When changing lanes in traffic, the driver is required to act in a way that does not create danger or obstacles for others. According to the Traffic Rules, before starting the maneuver, you must make sure it is safe and yield to vehicles already moving in the lane you plan to enter. Therefore, any behavior that makes the situation unpredictable or worsens visibility and mutual understanding between drivers can quickly escalate into an emergency situation.
The first dangerous action is moving or "hovering" your car in another driver's blind spot. If you are slightly behind and to the side, you may not be visible in their mirrors. At this moment, the driver intending to change lanes may genuinely believe the space is free, signal, and begin the maneuver. Since the turn signal does not grant the right of way, it only warns and does not "reserve" the lane. The result is a risk of a side collision because one participant simply does not see you.
The second situation is sudden braking by the vehicle ahead. During a lane change, the driver's attention partially shifts to mirrors and judging gaps in the adjacent lane. If the vehicle in front suddenly reduces speed, the driver who is checking the situation to the side may lose precious seconds to react. This creates a typical accident scenario: a rear-end collision due to insufficient braking time.
The third dangerous action is the sudden acceleration of a vehicle moving behind in the adjacent lane into which someone plans to merge. The driver who has started the maneuver relies on the available gap. If another car suddenly speeds up, the gap quickly disappears, and the car itself may "dive" into the blind spot. As a result, the driver changing lanes may not have time to either complete the maneuver or safely abandon it without risking a collision.
Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above," since being in the blind spot, sudden braking ahead, and sudden acceleration in the adjacent lane all make lane changes unpredictable, prevent yielding, and hinder gap assessment, which directly creates a risk of an accident.