16.1.11. Are you permitted to turn right in this situation when the traffic light shows a red signal?
UAЧи дозволено Вам повернути праворуч у даній ситуації при ввімкненому червоному сигналі світлофора?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe passage through regulated intersections and the correct understanding of traffic light signals. In real traffic, such situations often cause mistakes: the driver sees a red signal but at the same time may have the opportunity to perform a maneuver with a special permit. Knowing this rule is important to prevent conflicts with vehicles moving on their 'own' green and to protect pedestrians at the crossing.
The question tests sections of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic light signals (specifically 8.7.3) and the rules for passing intersections and yielding the right of way (item 16.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine). It refers to a plate with a green arrow at the level of the red signal: it does not cancel the prohibition of the red light, but establishes an exception for movement in the indicated direction provided that the driver occupies the far lane for turning and must yield to all participants moving from other directions on a permitted signal.
The analysis of answer options in this theoretical exam boils down to priority: the statement about a complete prohibition ignores the exception provided by item 16.9, so it is incorrect. The option 'yield only to pedestrians' is incomplete, since according to the Traffic Rules it is necessary to yield not only to pedestrians but also to vehicles that have priority at the intersection. That is why the correct approach is where the driver may make the turn, but acts with maximum caution and yields to both vehicles and pedestrians whose path intersects with the trajectory of the maneuver.
Clause 8.7.3 (traffic light signals)
The red signal, including the flashing one, prohibits movement.
Clause 16.9
When moving in the direction of the arrow activated in the additional section simultaneously with the yellow or red traffic light signal, the driver must yield to vehicles moving from other directions.
When moving in the direction of the green arrow on the sign installed at the level of the red traffic light signal with a vertical arrangement of signals, the driver must take the far right (left) lane and yield to vehicles and pedestrians moving from other directions.
Thus, the correct answer is "Allowed, provided you yield to vehicles and pedestrians moving from other directions," given that by the definition of the Traffic Rules, movement on a red signal is prohibited, but clause 16.9 establishes an exception for turning in the direction of the green arrow on the sign (or in the additional section) provided priority is given to other road users.
In this situation, the intersection is controlled by a traffic light, and the main signal for you is red, which generally means movement is prohibited. However, at the level of the red signal, there is a sign with a green arrow pointing to the right. This is a special permission to make a right turn even when the red signal is on.
According to paragraph 16.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, the green arrow on such a sign does not make the traffic light “green” for you. It only allows movement in the indicated direction as an exception to the general prohibition, but under the mandatory condition: before turning, you must yield to those road users who are moving from other directions on their permitted signal.
That is, when making a right turn, you must act as if you are entering the intersection with limited priority: stop if necessary, make sure the maneuver is safe, and yield to vehicles moving on the green signal from intersecting directions, as well as to pedestrians crossing the road on their permitted signal (or who have the right to cross at that moment).
For example, if a car is moving from the left through the intersection on a green signal, you do not have the right to “cut in” ahead of it, even if you only need to turn right. Similarly, if pedestrians are crossing the roadway you are turning onto, you are obliged to yield to them.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Allowed, provided you yield to vehicles and pedestrians moving from other directions," since the green arrow on the sign at the red signal allows a turn in the indicated direction only if you give way to other road users.