16.2.109. You intend to turn right. Are you required to give way to a vehicle approaching from the left?
UAВи плануєте повернути праворуч. Чи повинні Ви дати дорогу автомобілю, що наближається з лівого боку?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of right-of-way at intersections of roads with different priorities and the ability to determine who has priority according to road signs. Such situations are directly related to road safety: mistakes in identifying the main and secondary roads often lead to conflicting maneuvers during turns and to accidents.
The task relates to the sections of the Traffic Rules concerning passing intersections (item 16.11) and priority road signs (section 33: sign 2.3 "Main Road" and plate 7.8 "Direction of the Main Road"). The logic is as follows: if a vehicle is moving along the main road, those approaching from the secondary road must yield, regardless of whether the vehicle is going straight or turning. Plate 7.8 additionally indicates the direction of the main road at the intersection, so priority is determined not by the "obstacle on the right/left" rule, but by the status of the road.
When analyzing the answer options, it is important to rely on the definition of "yield" from item 1.10: it is the obligation not to create obstacles for a participant who has the right of way. The option about the need to "yield" to the vehicle on the left is incorrect, because the vehicle on the left is approaching from a secondary road and must yield to the one moving on the main road (item 16.11). The correct conclusion for the theoretical exam: a driver on the main road, when turning in the direction of the main road, is not required to yield to a vehicle approaching from the left on the secondary road; instead, one should remember to be attentive to pedestrians and ensure the overall safety of the maneuver.
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 start, resume, or continue movement, or perform any maneuvers, if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change their direction or speed.
Clause 16.11
At an intersection of roads of unequal importance, the driver of a vehicle traveling on the secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching this intersection along the main road, regardless of their further direction of movement.
This means that if you are traveling on the main road (even when turning right), vehicles from the secondary road are required to yield to you.
Clause 33 — “Road signs”, 2 “Priority signs”, sign 2.3 “Main road”
Sign 2.3 “Main road” — a road that has priority at intersections of roads of unequal importance.
Clause 33 — “Road signs”, 7 “Plates to road signs”, plate 7.8 “Direction of the main road”
Plate 7.8 “Direction of the main road” — shows the direction of the main road at the intersection. Used with signs 2.3, 2.4, 2.5.
In this task, the plate clarifies that your direction (right turn) corresponds to the direction of the main road, and the vehicle on the left is traveling on the secondary road.
Therefore, the correct answer is “You do not have to,” considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a vehicle approaching from the left on the secondary road is required to give way to vehicles on the main road regardless of their further direction of movement.
When approaching an intersection, you first need to determine which road is the main road and which is the secondary road. In this situation, this is indicated by sign 2.3 “Main Road” together with plate 7.8, which shows the direction of the main road at the intersection. From the diagram on the plate, it is clear that you are traveling on the main road and, when turning right, you continue to move along the main road.
At intersections of roads with different priorities, the following rule applies: a driver entering from a secondary road must yield to vehicles approaching on the main road, regardless of whether they are going straight or turning. That is, the car approaching from the left on the secondary road must yield to you, even if you are planning to turn right.
Therefore, your right turn from the main road does not create an obligation to yield to the car on the left, since priority is determined not by the direction “left/right,” but by who is on the main road and who is on the secondary road.
Thus, the correct answer is "You do not have to," since you are traveling on the main road (sign 2.3 with plate 7.8), and the car on the left is approaching from the secondary road and is required to yield to you.