16.2.31. When passing this intersection, you must:
UAПроїжджаючи дане перехрестя, Ви повинні:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the safe passage through uncontrolled intersections and the correct determination of the order of movement when both rail and non-rail vehicles approach simultaneously. In real-life situations, mistakes regarding priority on roads of equal significance often lead to conflicts, so for the theoretical exam it is important to understand who has the right of way and what “yielding” means according to the traffic rules.
The task belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules concerning intersection passage (points 16.12 and 16.13). The key rule here is: at any uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal significance, a tram has priority over non-rail vehicles regardless of the direction of further movement (p. 16.12). Therefore, the driver of a passenger car is obliged not to resume movement in a way that would force the tram to change speed or trajectory (the definition of “yield” from p. 1.10). After the tram has passed, the mutual priority between cars is determined by p. 16.13: a vehicle turning left must yield to an oncoming vehicle moving straight.
That is why the option “to cross the intersection first” is incorrect, as it ignores the unconditional priority of the tram at an uncontrolled intersection of equal roads. The option “to cross after the tram and the gray car” is also incorrect: after the tram has passed, the oncoming car turning left must yield to the vehicle moving straight. In practice, you should also take into account the limited visibility that the tram may create: start moving only after making sure that no other participants with priority for you appear from behind it.
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 with a roundabout. This rule also applies to tram drivers among themselves. At any uncontrolled intersection, a tram, regardless of its intended direction, has the right of way over non-rail vehicles approaching it on a road of equal importance, except at intersections with a roundabout.
This clause checks that at an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance, the tram passes first regardless of direction, and non-rail vehicles must yield to it.
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 turning right on a road of equal importance in the oncoming direction.
This clause checks that after the tram passes, an oncoming car turning left must yield to a vehicle moving straight towards it.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield (do not create an obstacle)")
Yield (do not create an obstacle) — 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.
This concept explains that "yield" means not creating the need for the tram (or another vehicle with priority) to change speed or trajectory.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yield only to the tram," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, at an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance, the tram has priority over non-rail vehicles (clause 16.12), and an oncoming car turning left must yield to a vehicle moving straight (clause 16.13).
When passing through this uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance, you first need to determine whether there is a tram among the road users. If a tram is approaching the intersection, a special rule applies for the driver of a passenger car, giving priority to rail transport.
According to clause 16.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, at any uncontrolled intersection, a tram has priority over non-rail vehicles approaching it on a road of equal importance, regardless of the direction in which the tram will proceed. Therefore, when approaching such an intersection, you are required to yield to the tram.
After the tram has passed through the intersection, the mutual priorities between non-rail vehicles are determined according to clause 16.13 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. If you are going straight and the oncoming vehicle is turning left, it is the oncoming driver who must yield to you, because when turning left, the driver is required to give way to oncoming vehicles going straight.
It is also worth noting that the tram may temporarily block your view of oncoming traffic. Therefore, after it passes, start moving only after making sure that no other vehicles with priority for you are appearing from behind the tram.
Thus, the correct answer is "Yield only to the tram," since at an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance, the tram has the primary right of way according to clause 16.12, and after it passes, the oncoming vehicle turning left is required to yield to you according to clause 16.13.