16.2.29. When turning left in this situation, you must:
UAПовертаючи ліворуч у даній ситуації, Ви повинні:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely and correctly determine the order of passage at intersections in situations where there is no traffic light, traffic controller, or priority signs. Such tasks are directly related to road safety: a mistake in determining priority at an uncontrolled intersection often leads to trajectory conflicts, especially when turning left, as the driver crosses the oncoming flow.
In content, this question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules concerning the passage of intersections, specifically uncontrolled intersections of roads with equal status. The theoretical exam often features a combination of two rules: the “obstacle on the right” (paragraph 16.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine) and the driver’s obligation, when turning left, to yield to oncoming vehicles moving straight or turning right (paragraph 16.13 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine). In this situation, the driver turning left is simultaneously required not to obstruct both the vehicle on the right and the oncoming participant moving straight, so they must complete crossing the intersection after them.
The analysis of the answer options is straightforward: the option “to go first” is incorrect, because both the right-hand rule and the left-turn rule require yielding to others. The option “to go second, yielding only to the motorcycle” is also incorrect, as it ignores the requirement of paragraph 16.12 regarding the vehicle approaching from the right. The only correct approach within the traffic rules is to first yield to the oncoming vehicle moving straight and the vehicle on the right, and only after that perform the maneuver without forcing others to change speed or direction (the term “yield” as defined in the Traffic Rules).
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. This rule must also be followed by tram drivers among themselves. At any uncontrolled intersection, a tram, regardless of the direction of its further movement, has priority over non-rail vehicles approaching it on a road of equal importance, except at intersections where a roundabout is organized. Priority at uncontrolled intersections with a roundabout, marked by road sign 4.10 "Roundabout", is given to vehicles already moving in the circle.
In this task, according to this clause, you must yield to the car approaching from the right (the "right-hand obstacle" rule at an uncontrolled intersection of equal roads).
Clause 16.13
Before turning left or making a U-turn, 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 to the right on a road of equal importance in the oncoming direction. This rule must also be followed by tram drivers among themselves.
In this task, according to this clause, when turning left, you must yield to the motorcycle moving straight towards you on the road of equal importance.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield (do not create obstacles)")
Yield (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 their direction or speed.
This term explains that "yield" actually means to let vehicles with priority pass without forcing them to brake or change their trajectory.
That is, the correct answer is "Cross the intersection last – after the motorcycle and the car.", considering that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, at an uncontrolled intersection of equal roads, when turning left, you must yield to the oncoming vehicle going straight (clause 16.13) and the vehicle on the right (clause 16.12).
The image shows an uncontrolled intersection without any traffic lights, traffic controller, or priority signs. Therefore, the order of passage is determined by the rules for uncontrolled intersections of roads of equal importance.
First, we apply the “right-hand rule” from point 16.12 of the Traffic Rules: at an intersection of roads of equal importance, the driver must yield to vehicles approaching from the right. For our car, the red car is to the right, so it must be given priority.
Next, we consider point 16.13 of the Traffic Rules: before turning left, the driver must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction on an equal road, going straight or turning right. The motorcycle is approaching us head-on and going straight, while we are turning left, so we must also yield to the motorcycle.
Here’s an easy way to remember the order in this situation: the first to go is the one who has no vehicle to their right. In this case, it’s the motorcyclist, so he crosses the intersection first. After him, according to the “right-hand rule,” the red car goes next (because there is no longer an obstacle to its right). Only then can we make our left turn, as we no longer create an obstacle for either of the participants to whom we had to yield.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Cross the intersection last – after the motorcycle and the car," since when turning left you must yield to oncoming traffic going straight (p. 16.13), as well as to the vehicle on the right at an uncontrolled intersection of equal roads (p. 16.12).