16.1.7. Who must give way in this situation?
UAХто в даній ситуації повинен дати дорогу?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the safe passage through intersections in situations where road users are guided by traffic lights with an additional section. Such cases often create conflicting trajectories, so a proper understanding of direction priority affects road safety and helps avoid accidents.
The question belongs to Section 16 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (Passing Intersections) and specifically tests the application of clause 16.9. It concerns movement on a green arrow in an additional section that is activated simultaneously with a red or yellow main signal: such permission does not grant priority, but only allows movement in the direction of the arrow provided that priority is given to vehicles moving from other directions on the main permissive signal.
In this situation, the vehicle moving on the main green signal has priority, as its movement is allowed in the usual manner. In contrast, the driver who starts moving on the green arrow in the additional section when the main signal is red is obliged to "give way" as defined in clause 1.10 of the Traffic Rules, that is, not to create obstacles and not to force another to change speed or direction. Therefore, the option where the car driver yields is incorrect, and the correct conclusion for the theoretical exam is that the tram driver must yield.
Clause 16.9
When moving in the direction of the arrow illuminated in the additional section simultaneously with the yellow or red signal of the traffic light, the driver must give way to vehicles moving from other directions.
Application in the situation: the tram is moving on a red signal of the main traffic light, but with a green arrow illuminated in the additional section (straight ahead), therefore it is obliged to “give way” to those moving from other directions on the permitted (main) signal — in this case, the passenger car on green.
Clause 1.10 (the term “Give way (do not create obstacles)”)
Give way (do not create obstacles) — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement or perform any maneuver if this may force other road users who have priority to change the direction of movement or speed.
Application in the situation: the tram must not continue moving through the intersection in such a way as to force the car (which has priority because it is moving on the main green signal) to change speed or direction.
That is, the correct answer is "The tram driver.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, movement on the arrow in the additional section together with the red/yellow main signal is allowed only on the condition of giving priority to vehicles moving from other directions on the permitted traffic light signal.
At the intersection, the order of passage is determined by the traffic light signals. Therefore, it is first necessary to assess which signals each driver sees and what they mean.
The tram is standing in front of a traffic light where the main signal prohibits movement (red), but at the same time, a green arrow in the additional section is on, which allows movement only in the direction indicated by the arrow (in this situation, straight ahead). This means: the tram has the right to go, but its movement is permitted under a special condition.
The car is moving on the main green traffic light signal. For it, movement through the intersection is allowed in the usual manner, without additional conditions.
According to clause 16.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, if a driver is moving in the direction of the arrow in the additional section, which is on together with the red or yellow signal, he must give way to vehicles moving from other directions on a permissive signal. That is, the green arrow on a red background does not give priority, but only allows movement after yielding to others.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The tram driver," since the tram is moving on a green arrow in the additional section together with the red signal and, according to clause 16.9 of the Traffic Rules, must yield to the car, which is going on the main green signal.