16.2.78. When driving through this intersection, you must:
UAПроїжджаючи дане перехрестя, Ви повинні:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe passage of intersections and the correct determination of priority when the sign 'main road' alone is not sufficient. Such situations are often included in the theoretical exam because a common mistake among drivers is to automatically assume that driving on the main road always guarantees priority. In reality, the traffic rules require evaluating both the direction of the main road and the relative positions of the vehicles.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules 'Passing Intersections' and the application of points 16.11 and 16.14. When the main road at an intersection changes direction, drivers moving along the main road must follow the rules as if they are on roads of equal importance (point 16.14). That is, the 'give way to the vehicle on the right' principle applies (similar to point 16.12): if a vehicle is approaching from your right, you are required to yield, even if both vehicles are coming from the main road.
This is why the option 'to go first, having priority' is incorrect: here, priority is determined not by the status of the main road, but by the rules for passing between equal directions on a main road that has changed its trajectory. The correct option requires you to yield to the vehicle on the right and only then complete your maneuver, fulfilling the requirement to 'give way' so as not to force the other driver to change speed or direction (definition from point 1.10).
Practical advice for preparing for the exam and real driving: when approaching such intersections, read the priority sign with the main road direction plate in advance and immediately mentally determine who is 'on the right' for whom. This helps to avoid conflicts at intersections and to make decisions according to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, rather than by intuition.
Clause 16.14
At an intersection of roads with different priorities, where the main road changes direction, drivers of vehicles moving along the main road must follow the rules for passing intersections of roads with equal priority among themselves. Drivers of vehicles moving on secondary roads must yield to vehicles traveling on the main road, and among themselves follow the rules for passing intersections of roads with equal priority.
Application: both vehicles are moving along the main road, which changes direction at the intersection, so the order between them is determined as at an intersection of equal roads (according to the “give way to the vehicle on the right” rule).
Clause 16.12
At an intersection of roads with equal priority, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must yield to vehicles approaching from the right.
Application: for your vehicle, the blue car is a vehicle approaching from the right, so you are obliged to yield to it and proceed second.
Clause 1.10 (term “Yield”)
Yield — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, nor to perform any maneuver, if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change their direction or speed.
Application: “yield” means to let the blue car pass in such a way that it is not forced to change speed/direction.
Clause 16.11
At an intersection of roads with different priorities, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must yield to vehicles approaching on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
Application: this clause defines the general principle of the main road’s priority at intersections with different priorities; in this case, it is supplemented by the special rule of clause 16.14 regarding the situation when the main road changes direction.
Thus, the correct answer is: “Yield and proceed through the intersection second,” given that at an intersection where the main road changes direction, the order between those moving along the main road is determined as at an intersection of equal roads — by the rule of giving priority to the vehicle on the right.
When approaching this intersection, you first need to correctly determine which road is the main one and how exactly it passes through the intersection. This is done by the priority sign with a plate indicating the direction of the main road: in this situation, the main road at the intersection changes its direction, but both vehicles are coming from the main road.
When the main road at the intersection changes direction, the order of passage between vehicles moving on the main road is determined as if they are on roads of equal importance. This is directly indicated by clause 16.14 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: in such a situation, the rule for passing intersections of equal roads applies.
Next, the “obstacle on the right” principle applies: the driver must yield to the vehicle approaching from the right. In our case, when making a left turn, the blue car is to our right, which means it has the right of way. According to clause 16.11 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, at an intersection of roads of equal importance, the driver must yield to the vehicle approaching from the right, so we cannot proceed through the intersection first.
Therefore, the blue car will go first, and after that we will complete our maneuver and cross the intersection second.
Thus, the correct answer is "Yield and cross the intersection second," because at an intersection where the main road changes direction, the order between vehicles on the main road is determined by the rule for equal roads, and we must yield to the car on the right.