16.2.4. What is the order of passage of vehicles at this intersection?
UAЯка черговість проїзду транспортних засобів на даному перехресті?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely determine the order of passage at intersections where there is no traffic light or traffic controller. Such situations often occur both in the city and outside it, and proper understanding of priority reduces the risk of conflicts and accidents, especially when the road has several lanes or a median strip.
The content of the task concerns passing an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance, that is, from the section of the Traffic Rules regarding passing intersections. At such intersections, according to clause 16.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, the "right-hand obstacle" rule applies: the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to those approaching from the right, in the sense of the term "yield" from clause 1.10. It is important that the presence of multiple lanes, a median strip, or the fact that another car actually crosses two carriageways does not automatically grant priority and does not change the order of passage without priority signs.
In the option where it is proposed to go first, the key check at an intersection of equal roads is ignored: whether there is a vehicle on the right that must be yielded to. Instead, the option where the white car goes first meets the requirements of clause 16.12, as it is the one approaching from the right and has priority. Such tasks in the theoretical exam form the habit of assessing priority in advance and performing the maneuver without creating an obstacle for other road users.
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.
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, nor perform any maneuver, if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change their direction or speed.
Clause 1.10 (term "Intersection")
Intersection — a place where roads cross, adjoin, or branch at the same level, the boundary of which is the imaginary lines between the beginnings of the curves of the edges of the carriageways of each road. Places where exits from adjacent territories adjoin the roads are not considered intersections.
Clause 1.10 (term "Roads of equal importance")
Roads of equal importance — roads that cross, adjoin, or branch, on which there are no priority signs, and therefore none of them has priority over the other.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The white car, and then you," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, at an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance, you must yield to the vehicle approaching from the right (clause 16.12).
At this intersection, there are no traffic light signals or priority signs, so it should be considered an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance. The fact that one of the roads is multi-lane or has a median strip does not in itself give it priority or change the rules for determining the order of passage.
In such a situation, clause 16.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine applies: at an intersection of roads of equal importance, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to vehicles approaching from the right. That is, we always check if there is a vehicle to our right at the intersection, and if there is, we must let it pass.
In this scenario, the white car is approaching the intersection to your right. Therefore, it has the right of way, and you are obliged to allow it to go first. The fact that the white car actually crosses two carriageways (due to the road's construction or the presence of a divider) does not change the priority: the 'right-hand rule' still determines the order of passage.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The white car, and then you," since at an uncontrolled intersection of roads of equal importance, you must yield to the vehicle approaching from the right (clause 16.12 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine).