16.2.60. Which vehicle will pass the intersection last?
UAЯкий транспортний засіб проїде перехрестя останнім?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely and logically determine the order of movement at intersections where both priority signs and the rules for interacting with trams apply. Such situations often occur in cities, and a mistake in assessing 'who yields to whom' leads to trajectory conflicts and accidents, making this topic key for preparing for the theoretical exam.
The question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules concerning passing intersections, specifically intersections of roads with different priorities (item 16.11) and the tram's right of way (item 16.12), as well as the rules for turning left (item 16.13). The logic is as follows: vehicles approaching on the main road move first, so the blue and white cars have priority and can pass almost simultaneously if their paths do not cross. After them, the participants from the secondary road remain at the intersection: among them, the tram has priority over non-rail vehicles, so it cannot be 'the last one.'
The black and yellow cars also approach from the secondary road, but between them, the left-turn rule additionally applies: the yellow car, making a left turn, crosses the path of the oncoming car going straight and therefore must yield. Accordingly, the options with the tram, blue, black, or white cars are not suitable: the blue and white go first as those on the main road, the tram passes before non-rail vehicles on the secondary, and the black car passes before the one turning left. That is why, in this traffic situation, the last to go will be the one who is both on the secondary road and also has to yield when turning left.
Clause 16.11
At an intersection of roads of unequal importance, the driver of a vehicle traveling on a secondary road must yield to vehicles approaching this intersection along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
Application: vehicles approaching on the secondary road (in particular, the yellow one) are required to yield to vehicles moving on the main road (blue and white), so the yellow cannot go first or at the same time as them.
Clause 16.12
At an intersection of roads of equal importance, a tram has priority over non-rail vehicles regardless of the direction of its movement.
Application: after the vehicles on the main road have passed (according to clause 16.11), the order between the tram and the remaining non-rail vehicles at the intersection on equal terms is determined by the tram's priority over cars.
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 an equal road in the oncoming direction.
Application: the yellow car, when turning left, must yield to the oncoming car moving straight (black). Therefore, the yellow will pass later than the black (and after the tram, if the tram is allowed to move and has priority according to clause 16.12/the situation conditions).
Clause 1.10 (term "Main road")
Main road — a road with a hard surface relative to a dirt road, or one marked by signs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4.
Application: according to this definition, it is determined which vehicles are on the main road and have priority according to clause 16.11.
Clause 33.2 — 33 "Road signs", 2 "Priority signs", sign 2.3 "Main road"
Sign 2.3 "Main road" — a road that is given priority at intersections of roads of unequal importance.
Application: it is this sign that confirms that the blue and white cars are moving on the main road and have priority over vehicles on the secondary road (in particular, over the yellow one).
Thus, the correct answer is "The yellow car.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules it is moving on the secondary road and must yield to vehicles on the main road (clause 16.11), and when turning left must additionally yield to the oncoming vehicle moving straight (clause 16.13), so it will cross the intersection last.
We are looking at an intersection of roads with different priorities. Therefore, the first step is to determine who is traveling on the main road and who is on the secondary road. This is done using priority signs.
The blue and white cars approach the intersection on the main road. According to point 16.11 of the Traffic Rules, drivers on the secondary road must yield to vehicles approaching on the main road, regardless of where those vehicles are turning. Since the paths of the blue and white cars do not conflict, they can pass through the intersection first, almost simultaneously.
After the vehicles on the main road have passed, the right to proceed goes to the participants on the secondary road. Here, there is a tram and non-rail vehicles. According to point 16.12 of the Traffic Rules, the tram has priority over non-rail vehicles when everyone is allowed to move, so the tram will go first among those remaining on the secondary road.
Next, we need to determine the order between the black and yellow cars, which are also on the secondary road. The yellow car is making a left turn and, in doing so, crosses the path of the black car. In such a situation, the driver turning left must yield to the vehicle going straight towards them on the same road. Therefore, the yellow car must yield to the black car and will be the last to pass through the intersection.
Thus, the correct answer is "The yellow car," because it is traveling on the secondary road, after the main road vehicles have passed it must yield to the tram according to point 16.12, and then, when turning left, is required to yield to the black car.