16.1.26. How must you act when turning left in this situation?
UAЯк Ви повинні вчинити, повертаючи ліворуч у даній ситуації?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe passage of intersections and the correct determination of the order of movement in situations where the trajectories of vehicles intersect during a left turn. Such cases are among the most common causes of conflicts on the road, so the theoretical exam especially tests the ability to read traffic light signals, understand when priority signs apply, and who must yield.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding passing intersections at a controlled intersection. It is important to remember the provision of clause 16.1: if the intersection is controlled by a traffic light (green signal), it is considered regulated, and priority signs do not apply at this time (this also aligns with clause 8.3 regarding the priority of traffic light signals over priority signs). Then the key rule of clause 16.6 applies: when making a left turn on a green signal of the main traffic light, the driver must yield to oncoming vehicles moving straight or turning right.
If you choose the option "to go first," this will be a mistake: the green signal only permits movement, but does not cancel the obligation to yield when turning left if the oncoming vehicle has the right to go straight on the same signal. The correct action in such a situation according to the traffic rules is to yield to oncoming traffic and complete the maneuver only after making sure it is safe, which directly reduces the risk of accidents and is a typical task on the traffic rules exam.
Clause 16.6
When turning left or making a U-turn at the 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 explanation: in a situation where you are allowed to proceed on a green signal and you are making a left turn, you are required to yield to oncoming vehicles moving straight (or turning right).
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 unregulated intersections and the relevant road signs installed at the intersection.
Application explanation: since the intersection is regulated by a traffic light (green signal), drivers are guided specifically by the traffic light signals, not by the priority signs installed for the case of a non-functioning traffic light.
Clause 8.3
The signals of a traffic controller take precedence over traffic light signals, road signs, and road markings. Traffic light signals (except for the flashing yellow) take precedence over priority road signs.
Application explanation: even if there are priority signs at the approach to the intersection, when the traffic light is operating (green signal), the traffic light signals take precedence.
Clause 8.7.3
The green signal permits movement.
Application explanation: the green signal allows movement in both oncoming directions (in the absence of other prohibitions/additional sections), and the order of passage when turning left is determined by clause 16.6.
That is, the correct answer is "Yield to the oncoming vehicle," given that at a regulated intersection when turning left on the green signal of the main traffic light, the driver is required to yield to vehicles coming from the opposite direction that are moving straight.
In this situation, you are approaching an intersection and intend to make a left turn. At the same time, an oncoming car is moving straight ahead. Both vehicles are on intersecting paths, so it is necessary to correctly determine the order of passage.
First of all, assess what exactly regulates traffic at the intersection. Since the traffic light is working and shows a green signal, the intersection is regulated. According to clause 16.1 of the Traffic Rules, at a regulated intersection, the order of passage is determined by the signals of the traffic light or the traffic controller, and priority signs do not apply at this moment. That is, even if you see a priority sign with a plate, while the traffic light is operating, you must follow the traffic light signals.
Next, consider that a traffic light without an additional section gives the same main green signal for opposing directions. This means that both you and the oncoming car are allowed to move. However, permission to move does not mean you can make a left turn without yielding: you must apply the rule for crossing paths when both have the same green signal.
This is where clause 16.6 of the Traffic Rules applies: a driver who is turning left (or making a U-turn) on the main green signal of the traffic light must yield to vehicles moving straight from the opposite direction or turning right. In our case, the oncoming car is moving straight, so it has the right of way, and you must complete your turn only after letting it pass.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yield to the oncoming car," because the intersection is regulated (clause 16.1), and when turning left on the main green, you must yield to oncoming vehicles moving straight (clause 16.6).