55.1. What is prohibited for the bus driver in this situation (the black car has started overtaking)?
UAЩо в цій ситуації заборонено водієві автобуса (чорний автомобіль почав обгін)?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safety during overtaking and the interaction of drivers in traffic. When one vehicle has already moved into the oncoming lane to overtake, any unpredictable behavior by the driver being overtaken sharply increases the risk of an accident, particularly a head-on collision. That is why the traffic rules clearly regulate the actions of the driver who is being overtaken.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules on overtaking and passing, specifically the requirements of clause 14.3. In the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that "overtaking" as defined in clause 1.10 is passing with entry into the oncoming lane, and at this moment, the driver of the vehicle being overtaken is prohibited from interfering with the maneuver: neither by increasing speed nor by any other actions (for example, changing trajectory, "closing off" the lane for return, or putting pressure on the overtaking driver).
The analysis of the options in this exam question is straightforward: the prohibition to increase speed is directly stated in clause 14.3, so this option is correct in substance. Equally correct is the option about any maneuvers that interfere with overtaking, since the Traffic Rules of Ukraine prohibit interference by "other actions." Since only one correct answer is allowed in the test, the correct choice is the one that combines both prohibitions, as they simultaneously apply to any driver being overtaken, regardless of the type of vehicle.
Clause 14.3
The driver of a vehicle being overtaken is prohibited from obstructing the overtaking by increasing speed or by any other actions.
Explanation of application: in a situation where the black car has already started overtaking the bus, the bus driver (as the vehicle being overtaken) is not allowed to either increase speed or take any other actions that would create obstacles to the completion of the overtaking maneuver.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entry into the oncoming traffic lane.
Explanation of application: this definition clarifies that the described situation specifically concerns overtaking (not just passing), therefore the prohibition from clause 14.3 regarding the actions of the driver of the vehicle being overtaken directly applies.
Thus, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the driver of the vehicle being overtaken is prohibited from obstructing overtaking both by increasing speed and by any other actions.
In this situation, the black car has already started overtaking, meaning it is performing an overtaking maneuver by moving into the oncoming lane. At this moment, the bus is the vehicle being overtaken, and special safety requirements during overtaking apply to it.
Clause 14.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine states that the driver of a vehicle being overtaken must not create obstacles to overtaking. The most typical ways of obstructing are directly specified in the rules: it is not allowed to increase speed to prevent the overtaking car from passing ahead, and any other actions that complicate the completion of the overtaking maneuver are also prohibited.
Practically, this means the following. If the bus driver starts accelerating while being overtaken, the black car will have to remain in the oncoming lane longer, which increases the risk of a head-on collision with oncoming traffic. Similarly, any other actions that hinder the maneuver (for example, moving closer to the center line, changing trajectory without necessity, "closing off" the space for returning to the lane) are also prohibited, as they create danger during overtaking.
It is important to understand that this requirement applies not only to buses, but to any driver being overtaken: their duty is not to complicate the maneuver, but on the contrary—not to hinder the safe completion of overtaking.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Answers 1 and 2," since the bus driver is prohibited from obstructing overtaking both by increasing speed and by any other actions that complicate the completion of the maneuver.