16.2.51. 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 navigate uncontrolled intersections, where the order of movement is determined not by traffic lights or a traffic controller, but by priority road signs and general right-of-way rules. Such situations are typical on city streets and often cause accidents due to incorrect identification of the main and secondary roads or ignoring the 'obstacle on the right' rule, which is why this topic is directly related to road safety.
The theoretical exam question covers the section of the Traffic Rules regarding passing intersections (points 16.11 and 16.14), as well as understanding the effect of sign 2.1 'Yield' with plate 7.8 'Direction of the main road'. The logic is as follows: vehicles on the main road move first, and those approaching from the secondary road must yield to them regardless of their further maneuver (p. 16.11). Then, an important nuance: when the main road changes direction at the intersection, drivers on the main road apply the rules as if on equal roads (p. 16.14), that is, they follow the 'obstacle on the right' rule; the same applies to drivers on the secondary approaches among themselves.
That is why the correct order is that the cars on the main road go first: the purple car cannot go before the green one because the green car is on its right, and therefore it must yield. Options where the black or white car goes ahead of the green or purple car contradict the 'Yield' requirement and point 16.11, since vehicles on the secondary road are not allowed to start moving until all those approaching on the main road have passed. Likewise, answers where the purple car overtakes the green one are also incorrect, because when the main road changes direction, their mutual order is determined by the rule for equal intersections (p. 16.14) and the priority of the vehicle on the right.
Clause 16.11
At an intersection of roads of unequal importance, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must yield to vehicles approaching this intersection along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
Brief application: the black and white cars (on the secondary road) are required to yield to vehicles moving on the main road (green and purple), regardless of their maneuvers.
Clause 16.14
If the main road at the intersection changes direction, drivers of vehicles moving along it must follow the rules for passing intersections of roads of equal importance among themselves. This rule must also be followed among drivers moving on secondary roads.
Brief application: between the green and purple cars (both on the main road), the rule for equal roads applies; likewise, between the black and white cars (both on the secondary road) — also the rule for equal roads.
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 among tram drivers. 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.
Brief application: the "obstacle on the right" rule determines that on the main road, the purple car yields to the green, and on the secondary road, the white yields to the black.
Clause 16.1
An intersection where the order of passage is determined by traffic lights or a traffic controller is considered regulated. At such an intersection, priority signs do not apply. If the traffic light is off or operating in flashing yellow mode and there is no traffic controller, the intersection is considered unregulated, and drivers must follow the rules for unregulated intersections and the relevant road signs installed at the intersection.
Brief application: the situation is resolved precisely by the rules for unregulated intersections and priority signs.
Clause 33.2 — 33 "Road Signs", 2 "Priority Signs", sign 2.1 "Yield"
With sign 2.1 "Yield", the driver must yield to vehicles approaching an unregulated intersection along the main road, and if there is plate 7.8 "Direction of the main road" — to vehicles moving along the main road. The sign is installed directly before the intersection or a narrow section of the road. Outside populated areas on roads with a hard surface, the sign is repeated with additional plate 7.1.1 "Distance to the object".
Brief application: sign 2.1 confirms that from the side of the white car — it is a secondary road, and it (as well as the black car, if also on the secondary road) must yield to those on the main road.
Clause 33.7 — 33 "Road Signs", 7 "Plates to road signs", plate 7.8 "Direction of the main road"
Plate 7.8 "Direction of the main road" indicates the direction of the main road at the intersection. It is used with signs 2.1 "Yield", 2.2 "No entry without stopping", 2.3 "Main road". The plate is placed directly under the signs with which it is used.
Brief application: the plate shows that the main road at the intersection changes direction (this triggers the application of clause 16.14), and allows you to determine which cars are on the main road (green, purple), and which are on the secondary road (black, white).
That is, the correct answer is "Green, purple, black, white cars.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, vehicles on the main road have priority first (clause 16.11 and sign 2.1 with plate 7.8), and among themselves on the main and secondary roads, the order is determined by the "obstacle on the right" rule (clause 16.14 in combination with clause 16.12).
There is no working traffic light or traffic controller at the intersection, so the order of passage is determined as at an uncontrolled intersection. Additionally, the situation is clarified by priority road signs: the “Yield” sign with the “Direction of the main road” plate shows where the main road goes and in which direction it turns at this intersection.
According to the plate, the green and purple cars are moving along the main road, while the black and white cars are approaching from the secondary road. According to paragraph 16.11 of the Traffic Rules, drivers on the secondary road must yield to all vehicles approaching on the main road, regardless of where those vehicles are going next. Therefore, the cars on the main road go first.
Since the main road at this intersection changes direction, drivers moving along the main road must yield to each other as at an intersection of equal roads (paragraph 16.14 of the Traffic Rules). This means the “give way to the vehicle on the right” rule applies: the purple car has the green car on its right, so the purple car must yield to it. Thus, the green car goes first, the purple car goes second.
After the vehicles on the main road have passed, the cars from the secondary road may proceed. Between the black and white cars, the “give way to the vehicle on the right” rule applies again (paragraph 16.14 of the Traffic Rules also requires drivers on secondary roads to follow the rules for intersections of equal roads among themselves). The white car has the black car on its right, so the white car yields to the black car. Thus, the black car goes third, the white car goes fourth.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Green, purple, black, white cars,” since vehicles on the main road go first (p. 16.11), and when the main road changes direction, the order between cars on the main and separately on the secondary road is determined by the “give way to the vehicle on the right” rule (p. 16.14).