16.1.18. Must the driver of the car give way to the cyclist in this situation?
UAЧи повинен водій автомобіля дати дорогу велосипедисту в даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of priorities and the interaction between drivers and cyclists at intersections, which directly affects road safety. On regulated sections, there is often a false sense of "complete priority" due to the green traffic light, but the traffic rules establish additional obligations when making turns, where the paths of participants may intersect.
In terms of content, this question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules about passing intersections and maneuvering, specifically the application of point 16.2. When a car turns right and a cyclist is moving straight in the same direction along a bicycle lane/crossing, the driver is obliged to give them priority and not create obstacles. The term "give way" (point 1.10) means that the driver must not continue the maneuver if it would force the cyclist to change speed or direction, and marking 1.15 additionally warns about the place where bicycle traffic crosses the roadway.
The analysis of answer options in the theoretical exam boils down to a simple rule: the correct one is the one that corresponds to point 16.2, that is, the driver when turning must yield to the cyclist going straight. Incorrect are explanations about the "bicycle path/lane" and the "permissive traffic signal," because neither the presence of cycling infrastructure nor the green light cancels the driver's obligation, when turning, to give priority to those whose path he crosses. In practice, this means: reduce speed, assess the situation, wait for the cyclist to pass, and only then complete the turn.
Clause 16.2
At regulated and unregulated intersections, a driver turning right or left must yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway onto which he is turning, as well as to cyclists moving straight in the same direction.
Brief application: when a car is turning right, it crosses the path of a cyclist moving straight in the same direction, so the driver is obliged to yield regardless of whether the intersection is controlled by a traffic light.
Clause 1.10 (the term "Yield (do not create an obstacle)")
Yield (do not create an obstacle) — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, nor perform any maneuver, if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change their direction or speed.
Brief application: "yield" means that the driver, when turning, must not create a situation where the cyclist has to brake or change direction/speed.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.15
Marking 1.15 indicates a bicycle crossing (a place where bicycle traffic crosses the roadway).
Brief application: the presence of a bicycle crossing further indicates to the driver the possible intersection of his path with the movement of cyclists when making a turn.
That is, the correct answer is "Must.", given that according to clause 16.2, a driver turning right at an intersection is obliged to yield to a cyclist moving straight in the same direction, not creating an obstacle for him as defined by the term "yield".
The image shows a signal-controlled intersection: traffic is permitted by the traffic lights for both the car and the cyclist. The white car has its right turn signal on, meaning the driver intends to turn right, while the cyclist continues straight ahead in the same direction in the bicycle lane.
When turning right, the car’s trajectory inevitably crosses the path of the cyclist, who is going straight. The car driver does not have the right to "squeeze" into the bicycle lane to make the turn, as this lane is designated for cyclists and is not a driving lane for cars. Therefore, when turning, the driver is actually crossing the cyclist’s path.
According to clause 16.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, at intersections, a driver turning right or left must yield to cyclists moving straight ahead in the same direction. This is exactly the situation shown: the cyclist is moving straight, and the car is turning and crossing their trajectory, so the cyclist has priority.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Must yield," because when turning right at an intersection, the driver is required to yield to a cyclist moving straight ahead in the same direction (clause 16.2 of the Traffic Rules).