43.25. Should the limited visibility of a motorcycle in the mirror of the vehicle ahead be taken into account when overtaking or passing?
UAЧи варто враховувати обмежену видимість мотоцикла в дзеркалі автомобіля, що їде попереду, під час виконання обгону або об'їзду?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during overtaking maneuvers, when one road user may physically not see another due to the “blind spots” of mirrors. For a motorcyclist, this is critical: a motorcycle has smaller dimensions, is less visible in the mirrors of the vehicle ahead, and is often perceived as being farther away. Failure to take this feature into account often leads to conflict situations and accidents during overtaking or passing.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding maneuvering and overtaking, in particular the requirements of paragraph 14.2 about the obligation to ensure the safety of overtaking, as well as the general norms of 10.1, 2.3(b), and 1.5 regarding attentiveness and avoiding danger to others. The idea is simple: when performing a maneuver, the motorcycle driver must consider that the driver of the vehicle ahead may not notice the motorcycle and may suddenly move to the left, begin to pass an obstacle, or change lanes.
The option stating that a motorcycle is as visible as a car is incorrect: due to its smaller silhouette and “blind spots,” the likelihood of being unnoticed is much higher. The claim about a “louder sound” is also not a reliable criterion for the theoretical exam: noise does not guarantee that the driver ahead will hear you, correctly determine the direction, and react in time (factors include sound insulation, music, speed, wind). Therefore, the correct approach in the traffic rules is always to assume the risk of invisibility in mirrors, choose a safe moment and interval, and have a plan to abort the maneuver if the vehicle begins to change trajectory.
Clause 14.2
The driver performing an overtaking maneuver must: a) make sure that the oncoming lane, onto which they will move, is clear for a sufficient distance for overtaking and that this maneuver will not create danger or obstacles for other road users; b) make sure that the driver of the vehicle ahead in the same lane has not signaled an intention to turn left (change lanes to the left); c) make sure that after overtaking, they can return to their lane without creating danger or obstacles for the overtaken vehicle.
Brief application: limited visibility of a motorcycle in the mirrors of the car ahead directly affects the assessment of maneuver safety (risk that the car driver will not notice the motorcycle and will begin changing lanes/turning).
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, 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 for other road users.
Brief application: during overtaking/bypassing, the motorcyclist must anticipate possible actions of the driver of the car ahead, particularly considering the "blind spots" of the mirrors, so as not to end up in a situation where the other driver physically cannot see the motorcycle.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "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 while on the road.
Brief application: "attentiveness" includes taking into account typical hazards for a motorcyclist—in particular, the fact that other drivers may not see the motorcycle in their mirrors.
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.
Brief application: during overtaking/bypassing, the motorcycle driver must act so as not to create danger (including by entering the "blind spot" of the car ahead).
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking is passing one or more vehicles, involving moving into the oncoming lane.
Brief application: since overtaking is a maneuver with increased risk, the safety requirements (in particular, clauses 14.2 and 10.1) additionally require considering whether the driver of the vehicle ahead sees the motorcycle in their mirrors.
That is, the correct answer is "It is absolutely necessary to take it into account," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver during overtaking/bypassing is obliged to ensure the safety of the maneuver and not create danger for other road users, and the "blind spots" of a car's mirrors directly affect this safety.
When overtaking or passing, a motorcyclist should assume that other drivers may not see them in their mirrors. A motorcycle has smaller dimensions, often falls into "blind spots," and appears in the mirror as an object that is farther away than it actually is. Because of this, the driver of the car ahead may mistakenly think the lane is clear and begin to change lanes or turn, not expecting a motorcycle nearby.
The Traffic Rules require the driver to act in a way that does not create danger or obstacles for other road users, and before any change of direction or maneuver, to make sure it is safe. If you understand that the driver ahead may not notice you, this directly affects the safety of your overtaking: you need to choose the right moment, distance, and speed so that there is enough time to react, and also be ready for the car to suddenly move in your direction.
For example, you start overtaking, and the driver of the car ahead decides to go around a pothole or a parked vehicle and shifts to the left. If the motorcycle was in the mirror's "blind spot," the driver may not be aware of your presence. In such a situation, taking limited visibility into account in advance, choosing a safe interval, and being ready to abort the maneuver reduce the risk of a collision.
Therefore, the correct answer is "It is absolutely necessary to take it into account," because a motorcycle is often poorly visible in the mirrors of the car ahead, and the Traffic Rules require overtaking and passing only after making sure the maneuver is safe and does not endanger others.