16.2.104. In the given situation, in the absence of priority signs, which vehicle will pass the intersection first?
UAВ наведеній ситуації, за відсутності знаків пріоритету, який транспортний засіб проїде перехрестя першим?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely and correctly determine the order of passage at uncontrolled intersections when there is no traffic light, traffic controller, or priority signs. Such situations are among the most typical in cities and residential areas, and a mistake in determining priority leads to conflicts and accidents, which is why this topic is important for both the theoretical exam and real driving practice.
The question belongs to section 16 of the Traffic Rules, specifically to the rules for passing intersections of roads with equal status. According to clause 16.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, the "obstacle on the right" rule applies: the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to those approaching from the right. At a T-shaped intersection, the blue car, when moving straight ahead, has no road to the right, and therefore no vehicle to yield to; thus, it is the one that gets to go first.
The option with the gray car is not correct, because for it, the blue car is actually an "obstacle on the right," and the gray car must yield according to clause 16.12, regardless of who approaches the intersection boundary first. The "your car" option is also incorrect for the same reason: at an uncontrolled intersection of equal roads, the principle "whoever arrives first goes first" does not apply; priority is determined only by the rules of section 16, and in your case, you must first consider the vehicle on the right. A practical nuance for the theoretical exam: the order could change if the blue car were turning left (then clause 16.13 would also apply), but in the described configuration, clause 16.12 remains decisive.
Clause 16.12
At an intersection of roads of equal importance, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to vehicles approaching from the right, except at intersections where a roundabout is organized.
Explanation of application: in the absence of priority signs, the intersection is considered equal, so the "right-hand rule" applies. For the blue car (at a T-junction when moving "straight ahead"), there is no vehicle to the right, so there is no obligation to "yield to the right"—it has the opportunity to go first.
Clause 16.13
At an intersection of roads of equal importance, the driver of a non-rail vehicle who is turning left or making a U-turn must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are moving straight or turning right.
Explanation of application: this clause is important to understand that the order of passage would change if the blue car were turning left or making a U-turn. In this question, however, the blue car is going "straight ahead," so clause 16.12 is key.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield (do not obstruct)")
Yield (do not obstruct) — 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 the right of way to change their direction or speed.
Explanation of application: according to clause 16.12, the driver is obliged to "yield" specifically to the vehicle that has the right of way (approaching from the right). In the situation described in the question, the blue car does not have a vehicle to its right.
Clause 1.10 (term "Intersection")
Intersection — a place where roads cross, join, or branch at the same level, bounded by imaginary lines connecting, respectively, the opposite, most distant from the center of the intersection, beginnings of the curves of the edges of the carriageway of each road. The place where a road exits from an adjacent territory is not considered an intersection.
Explanation of application: the question directly refers to passing through an intersection; therefore, the rules of Section 16 regarding passing intersections apply, in particular the provisions on an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance.
Thus, the correct answer is "The blue car," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, at an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance, the rule "yield to vehicles approaching from the right" (clause 16.12) applies, and there is no vehicle to the right of the blue car.
In this situation, there is no traffic light, traffic controller, or priority signs, so the intersection is considered unregulated and the roads at it are of equal status. In such a case, the order of passage is determined not by "who arrived first," but by the rules of priority at intersections of equal roads.
According to clause 16.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, at an intersection of equal roads, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to vehicles approaching from the right. That is, each driver assesses whether there is an "obstacle on the right" for them, and if there is, they must yield.
The intersection is T-shaped. For the blue car, when moving straight, there is no vehicle approaching it from the right, so it does not have the obligation to yield under the "right-hand rule." Accordingly, the blue car may begin to cross the intersection first.
Meanwhile, other participants, when approaching this intersection, must take into account the vehicles that are to their right, and this creates for them the obligation to yield. It is important that at such intersections, it does not matter who is closer to the intersection line or who arrived first—the decisive factor is the priority according to clause 16.12.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The blue car," since at an unregulated intersection of equal roads, it does not have a vehicle on its right and is therefore not required to yield according to clause 16.12.