10.8. How will the vehicles pass each other in a residential area?
UAЯк роз'їдуться транспортні засоби в житловій зоні?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning safe passing in residential areas, where drivers often move slowly but face increased risk of conflicts due to limited visibility, parked cars, and the possible presence of pedestrians. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that even in courtyards and internal driveways, traffic rules apply, and the absence of signs does not mean "whoever is braver goes first."
The question tests the section on starting movement and maneuvering, and the application of right-of-way in situations where priority is not determined by signs or markings. In a residential area (definition provided in item 1.10, as well as indicated by sign 5.34), at the intersection of roads of equal status, you should follow item 10.11 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: if the trajectories intersect and priority is not established, the driver must yield to the vehicle approaching from their right. That is why the advantage is given to the car that is to the right of the other.
When analyzing the answer options, the incorrect one is where it is suggested to yield first to the vehicle approaching from the left: this contradicts the "right-hand rule" at an intersection of equal roads without priority signs. The correct option is the one where the car approaching from the right goes first, and the other driver is obliged to yield. In practice, this rule is most often needed precisely in adjacent areas (courtyards, parking lots, sites), so knowing it directly affects conflict-free passing and the result on the theoretical exam.
Clause 1.10 (term “Residential area”)
Residential area — courtyard territories, as well as parts of populated areas marked with road sign 5.34 “Residential area”.
Clause 33.5 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and guiding signs”, sign 5.34 “Residential area”
Sign 5.34 “Residential area” — indicates a territory where special traffic conditions, provided by these Rules, apply.
Clause 10.11
If the trajectories of vehicles intersect and the order of passage is not specified by these Rules, the driver to whom a vehicle is approaching from the right must yield.
In the given situation in a residential area, the order of passage is not determined by priority signs or markings, so the “right-hand rule” applies: the yellow car must yield to the vehicle approaching from the right (the grey one).
That is, the correct answer is “The grey car will go first, the yellow one second.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, in case of intersecting trajectories without an established order, priority is given to the vehicle approaching from the right.
In a residential area (a courtyard or a section marked with the “Residential Area” sign), there are often no priority signs or markings that directly determine who has the right of way. Therefore, in such places, drivers determine the order of passage according to the general rules that apply when the paths of vehicles intersect.
In this situation, both cars are approaching the intersection of equivalent roads, and there are no signs giving priority to anyone. Thus, one should follow paragraph 10.11 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: when the trajectories of vehicles intersect and the order of passage is not established by the Rules, the driver must give way to the vehicle approaching from the right.
If you look at the relative positions of the cars, the gray car is to the right of the yellow one. This means that it is the yellow driver who must yield and let the gray car pass, and only then continue driving.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "The gray car will go first, the yellow one second," because at an equivalent intersection in a residential area, the “right-hand rule” according to paragraph 10.11 applies, and the yellow car must give way to the vehicle approaching from the right.