16.1.25. Who will pass this intersection first?
UAХто проїде дане перехрестя першим?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe passage of intersections in urban conditions, where the driver needs to quickly determine the order of movement. Such situations are among the most accident-prone, so theoretical exams often include tasks that test the ability to read traffic light signals and correctly yield the right of way during maneuvers.
The task tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding passing intersections and traffic regulation, in particular the application of points 16.1 and 16.6. The key idea: if the traffic light is working and shows a green signal, the intersection is regulated, and therefore priority signs do not affect the order of passage. It is also important to consider that a main green light without an additional section usually allows movement in the oncoming direction as well, so the order is determined not by "signs" but by the rules of mutual yielding of vehicles.
The option where the red car passes first is incorrect, because it is making a left turn on a green signal and according to point 16.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right. Instead, the option with the white and blue cars is correct: they have priority as oncoming vehicles with a permitted direction of movement, and the red car will complete its maneuver only after yielding to them.
The practical value of this topic for the driver is that at regulated intersections, mistakes most often occur due to the "habit" of relying on priority signs or underestimating the oncoming flow when turning left. Understanding points 16.1 and 16.6 helps to correctly assess the situation, avoid conflicting trajectories, and confidently answer similar exam questions in the theoretical test.
Clause 16.1
An intersection where the order of passage is determined by traffic light signals or a traffic controller is considered regulated. At such an intersection, priority signs do not apply. If the traffic light is off or operating in flashing yellow mode and there is no traffic controller, the intersection is considered unregulated, and drivers must follow the rules for passing unregulated intersections and the relevant road signs installed at the intersection.
Application: since the traffic light is operating (green signal), the intersection is regulated, and the installed priority signs do not affect the order of passage at this moment.
Clause 16.6
When turning left or making a U-turn at a green signal of the main traffic light, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to a tram moving in the same direction, as well as to vehicles moving straight or turning right from the opposite direction.
Application: the driver of the red car, making a left turn on the green signal, must yield to oncoming vehicles moving straight/right (in the task — the white and blue cars), so they will pass first.
Clause 8.7.3 (Section 8 "Traffic Regulation", Subsection 8.7 "Traffic Lights")
Traffic light signals have the following meanings: a) green signal — allows movement; b) flashing green signal — allows movement, but informs that a prohibitive signal will soon be activated; c) yellow signal — prohibits movement and warns of the next change of signals; d) red signal, including flashing, or two flashing red signals — prohibits movement; e) combination of red and yellow signals — prohibits movement and informs about the upcoming activation of the green signal.
Application: the green signal allows movement in all directions for which it is on, but the order among them is determined, in particular, by the rule of yielding to oncoming vehicles when turning left (clause 16.6).
Thus, the correct answer is "White and blue cars.", given that the intersection is regulated (clause 16.1), movement on green is allowed (clause 8.7.3), and the driver turning left on green must yield to oncoming vehicles moving straight or turning right (clause 16.6).
First, we determine the type of intersection. The diagram shows a traffic light in operation with a green signal. According to point 16.1 of the Traffic Rules, such an intersection is regulated, and therefore the order of passage is determined specifically by the traffic light signals. Priority signs, even if installed, do not affect the order of movement in this situation.
Next, we note that the traffic light does not have an additional section. This means that the green signal simultaneously allows movement in both directions. Therefore, it is necessary to determine which driver is performing a maneuver that requires yielding to others.
The red car is making a left turn. According to point 16.6 of the Traffic Rules, a driver turning left at a green main traffic light signal must yield to oncoming vehicles moving straight or turning right.
The white and blue cars are moving toward the red car in the permitted direction (straight and/or turning right), so they have priority over the red car, which is turning left. Therefore, they will pass through the intersection first, and the red car will complete the maneuver after yielding to them.
Thus, the correct answer is "The white and blue cars," since the intersection is regulated (p. 16.1), and the driver of the red car, when turning left on green, must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right (p. 16.6).