16.2.79. When driving straight through this intersection, you must:
UAПроїжджаючи дане перехрестя прямо, Ви повинні:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe passage through intersections and correctly determining priority in a situation where the main road at the intersection changes direction. Such tasks often appear on the theoretical exam because it is at intersections that drivers most frequently make mistakes due to the “obvious” main road and do not take into account the rule of mutual passage for those moving along it simultaneously. Special emphasis here is placed on interaction with a cyclist as a full participant in road traffic.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding passage through intersections: items 16.11 and 16.14 (as well as the logic of applying the rule of an equivalent intersection through the “obstacle on the right”). The key point is that both road users are on the main road (this corresponds to sign 2.3 “Main Road”), but due to the change in its direction at the intersection, the priority between them is determined not by “main/secondary,” but as on equivalent roads according to item 16.14. Therefore, the driver for whom the cyclist is a vehicle on the right must yield the right of way to them, so as not to force them to change speed or direction (this corresponds to the definition of “yield” in the Traffic Rules).
The option where the driver yields to the cyclist is correct, as it takes into account the change in direction of the main road and the “obstacle on the right” rule between those moving on the main road. The option “not to yield” is incorrect: it is based on the mistaken assumption that the cyclist is on a secondary road and ignores the traffic rules that require drivers on the main road to interact with each other as at an equivalent intersection. In practice, this knowledge helps avoid typical trajectory conflicts and accidents, especially when cars and cyclists enter the intersection at the same time.
Clause 16.14
If the main road at the intersection changes direction, drivers of vehicles traveling on it must follow the rules for passing intersections of roads of equal importance between themselves.
Explanation of application: in a situation where both you and the cyclist are traveling on the main road (but its direction changes at the intersection), you must pass each other as at an intersection of equal roads — according to the "give way to the right" rule (i.e., by reference to clause 16.12).
Clause 16.12
At an intersection of roads of equal importance, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must give way to vehicles approaching from the right.
Explanation of application: the cyclist is a vehicle approaching from your right (within the rules for passing "as at equal intersections" under clause 16.14), so you are obliged to give way to them.
Clause 16.11
At an intersection of roads of unequal importance, the driver of a vehicle traveling on the secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
Explanation of application: this clause confirms that priority is given to vehicles on the main road relative to the secondary road. In this question, the key point is that both you and the cyclist are on the main road, so between yourselves, the rules defined in clauses 16.14 and 16.12 apply.
Clause 1.10 (term "Give way")
Give way — 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 priority to change their direction or speed.
Explanation of application: "to give way to the cyclist" means not to enter the crossing path in such a way that the cyclist (who has priority) would have to brake or change direction/speed.
Clause 33.2.3 — 33 "Road Signs", 2 "Priority Signs", sign 2.3 "Main Road"
Sign 2.3 "Main Road" — a road that has priority over intersecting roads.
Explanation of application: the presence of the "Main Road" sign for the cyclist (and in fact for your direction as well) means that both of you are traveling on the main road; therefore, you determine the order of passage between yourselves according to clause 16.14 using the "give way to the right" rule from clause 16.12.
Thus, the correct answer is "Give way to the cyclist," considering that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, when the direction of the main road changes at an intersection, drivers on the main road follow the rules for intersections of equal importance and are required to give way to a vehicle approaching from the right.
When driving straight through this intersection, you must first correctly determine which road users have the right of way. The diagram shows an unequal intersection, but an important detail is that the main road changes direction here. Because of this, there may be a mistaken impression that the driver of the car is 'on the main road' and the cyclist is supposedly 'on the secondary road.' In reality, the cyclist is also traveling on the main road (this is confirmed by the relevant priority signs).
Next, we apply clause 16.14 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: if the main road at the intersection changes direction, drivers of vehicles moving along the main road must follow the rules for passing intersections of roads of equal importance. That is, between the car and the cyclist, the 'main/secondary' priority no longer determines who goes first, because both road users have the same status—they are on the main road.
When we move on to the rules for an intersection of equal roads, clause 16.11 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine applies: the driver must yield to vehicles approaching from the right. In this situation, the cyclist is the road user who is to the right of the car, and therefore, for the car driver, the cyclist is an 'obstacle on the right,' regardless of the fact that the car is moving straight.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yield to the cyclist," since both road users are on the main road, and between themselves must follow the rules for an intersection of equal roads—you must yield to the one on your right.