16.1.12. In which illustration must the driver of the black car, who stopped at a prohibitory traffic light signal intending to go straight, necessarily continue driving to the right (in the direction of the arrow) when a vehicle approaching from behind has signaled a right turn?
UAНа якому малюнку водій чорного автомобіля, який зупинився на заборонний сигнал світлофора, щоб потім їхати в прямому напрямку, обов'язково повинен продовжити рух праворуч (у напрямку стрілки), коли транспортний засіб, що наближається ззаду, подав сигнал повороту праворуч?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the rules for passing regulated intersections and the correct interpretation of traffic light signals. In real traffic, such situations directly affect safety and road capacity: a driver may stop at a prohibitive signal, but in doing so may block the lane for those who have the legal right to make a turn, thereby creating a traffic jam or a conflict at the intersection.
The question tests knowledge of the sections of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic regulation and passing intersections, in particular the difference between an additional traffic light section and a sign with an arrow, as well as the application of clause 16.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. The obligation to "not delay" vehicles behind arises precisely when a traffic light with an additional section is operating: if a driver is standing in a lane from which movement is actually allowed by the green arrow, and his stop at red creates an obstacle for the vehicle behind (which is signaling a turn in this direction), he must continue moving in the direction of the arrow, after yielding to other road users. That is why the correct option is the one showing the additional section, not just a sign.
If you choose "in both", this will be a mistake: a sign with a green arrow at the level of the red signal only allows a turn in the specified direction from the far lane provided you yield, but does not create the same obligation to go in order to "clear" the lane. Similarly, the statement about the second case being mandatory is also incorrect: there the driver may wait for the permissive signal to move straight, and this does not contradict the traffic rules or the logic of the traffic light operation during phase changes. For the theoretical exam, it is important to clearly distinguish between these two types of regulation, because they look similar outwardly, but the legal consequences for the driver are different.
Clause 16.10
At an intersection where traffic is regulated by a traffic light with an additional section, a driver who is in a lane designated for turning must continue moving in the direction indicated by the arrow that is lit in the additional section, if stopping at the prohibitive signal of the traffic light would create an obstruction for vehicles following in the same lane.
Explanation of application: this clause specifically makes turning right mandatory in a situation where the driver has stopped at a red light, but the additional section with a right arrow is on, and a vehicle has approached from behind in the same lane and needs to turn right (has signaled accordingly).
Clause 8.7.3 (Section 8 "Traffic Regulation," subclause "e")
Traffic light signals have the following meanings: e) a red signal, including a flashing one, or two flashing red signals prohibit movement. A signal in the form of a green arrow (arrows) in an additional section together with a yellow or red traffic light signal informs the driver that movement is permitted in the indicated direction provided that vehicles moving from other directions are given free passage. A green arrow on a sign installed at the level of the red traffic light signal with a vertical arrangement of signals allows movement in the indicated direction when the red traffic light is on from the far right lane (or far left lane on one-way roads) provided that priority is given to other road users moving from other directions on a permissive traffic light signal.
Explanation of application: this clause checks the difference between (1) a green arrow in the additional section of the traffic light and (2) a green arrow on a sign next to the red signal. The "obligation not to block the lane and to move in the direction of the arrow" arises specifically for a traffic light with an additional section (in conjunction with clause 16.10), and not for the sign.
That is, the correct answer is "In the first one," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, only a traffic light with an additional section (clause 16.10) obliges a driver who has stopped at a prohibitive signal and is creating an obstruction for a vehicle behind in the same lane to continue moving in the direction of the lit arrow (to the right).
Let’s imagine the situation: the driver of the black car stopped at a red light because they plan to go straight. Another vehicle approaches from behind in the same lane and turns on the right turn signal, meaning they need to turn right. The question is, when is the first driver required not to wait for “their” green light to go straight, but to turn right so as not to obstruct the one behind.
In the first illustration, the traffic light has an additional section with a green arrow to the right, and it is lit together with the prohibitive (red) signal of the main traffic light. This signal means: turning right is allowed even on red, but with the obligation to yield to those who have the right of way. And here’s the key: clause 16.10 of the Traffic Rules establishes that at an intersection with a traffic light with an additional section, a driver standing in a lane from which a turn is made must continue moving in the direction of this arrow if stopping at the prohibitive signal creates an obstacle for vehicles behind in the same lane. This is exactly what happens when a car appears behind you with the right turn signal on: your car is effectively “blocking” the permitted direction, and the rules require you to clear the lane by turning right (of course, after yielding to other road users).
In the second illustration, there is no additional section: at the level of the red signal, there is a sign with a green arrow to the right. This also allows turning right on red, provided you yield, but this is permission, not a requirement to “necessarily go.” Clause 16.10 of the Traffic Rules specifically concerns traffic lights with an additional section, so the mechanism of “must go to avoid creating an obstacle behind” does not apply here. Therefore, in this case, the driver of the black car can calmly wait for the signal that allows going straight.
So, the correct answer is “In the first one,” because only with a traffic light with an activated additional section does the requirement of clause 16.10 of the Traffic Rules apply: if stopping at the prohibitive signal obstructs cars behind in the same lane, the driver must continue moving in the direction of the arrow, that is, to the right.