16.2.85. What is the order of passage of vehicles at this intersection?
UAЯка черговість проїзду транспортних засобів на даному перехресті?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) focused on the safety of passing through uncontrolled intersections, where priority is determined not by a traffic light or traffic controller, but by road signs and mutual passage according to the traffic rules. Such situations often occur in cities and on rural roads, and mistakes in determining 'who yields to whom' are one of the typical causes of conflicts and accidents, so this topic directly affects successful completion of the theoretical exam and real-life driving.
The task tests the section of the PDR regarding passing intersections, specifically the application of points 16.11 and 16.14 in cases where the main road at the intersection changes direction. The 'Main Road' sign together with plate 7.8 ('Direction of the Main Road') helps determine which vehicles are traveling on the main road and which are approaching from a secondary road. An important nuance follows: if the main road 'turns,' then among the vehicles traveling on it, the order is determined as at an intersection of equal roads, that is, by the 'give way to the vehicle on your right' rule (logic of point 16.14).
The analysis of the answer options comes down to two checks. An option where the green car passes before anyone on the main road is incorrect, as it violates the requirement of point 16.11: a vehicle on the secondary road must yield to all those approaching on the main road, regardless of their further direction. An option where the gray car passes before the red one ignores the rule of passage between those on the main road when it changes direction: here, the principle 'I'm on the main road — I go first' no longer applies, and the mutual right-of-way advantage is used, so the first to go is the one who has no obstacle on the right, then the second car on the main road, and only then the vehicle from the secondary road.
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 the intersection on the main road, regardless of their further direction of movement.
Brief application: the green car (on the secondary road) passes last, as it is required to yield to vehicles on the main road (red and gray).
Clause 16.14
If the main road changes direction at the intersection, drivers of vehicles moving along it must follow the rules for passing intersections of roads with equal priority among themselves. The same rule applies to drivers moving on secondary roads among themselves.
Brief application: since the direction of the main road at the intersection is indicated by a sign, the red and gray cars (both on the main road) pass each other 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.
Brief application: between the red and gray cars (moving on the main road that "changes direction"), the one without a vehicle on the right passes first; accordingly, the gray car, having an obstacle on the right (the red car), yields.
Clause 33.2.3 — 33 "Road Signs", 2 "Priority Signs", sign 2.3 "Main Road"
Sign 2.3 "Main Road" — a road on which vehicles have priority over vehicles moving on intersecting roads.
Brief application: determines that the red and gray cars are moving on the main road and have priority over the green car.
Clause 33.7.8 — 33 "Road Signs", 7 "Plates to Road Signs", plate 7.8 "Direction of the Main Road"
Plate 7.8 "Direction of the Main Road" — shows the direction of the main road at the intersection.
Brief application: this plate specifies that the main road at the intersection changes direction, so for the red and gray cars, clause 16.14 applies (they pass each other as at an intersection of equal roads).
That is, the correct answer is "Red, gray, green cars.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the green car (on the secondary road) is required to yield to vehicles on the main road (clause 16.11), and the red and gray cars, moving on the main road that changes direction (plate 7.8), pass each other according to the rules for an intersection of equal roads (clause 16.14, clause 16.12 — "obstacle on the right").
The intersection has a 'Main Road' sign along with plate 7.8, which indicates the direction of the main road. This means that vehicles traveling on the main road have the right of way (Clause 16.11 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine). In this situation, the red and gray cars are on the main road, while the green car is approaching from a secondary road.
Since the main road changes direction at this intersection, drivers traveling on the main road must determine the order of passage among themselves not by 'priority', but according to the rules for crossing roads of equal importance, i.e., applying the right-hand rule (Clause 16.14 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine). Therefore, the red car goes first, because for the gray car, it is a vehicle approaching from the right, and the gray car must yield.
After the red car has passed, the gray car completes crossing the intersection, as among the vehicles on the main road, it no longer has an obstacle on the right.
The green car is on the secondary road, so according to Clause 16.11 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, it is required to yield to vehicles traveling on the main road. Only after the red and gray cars have passed can it continue moving.
Thus, the correct answer is 'Red, gray, green cars,' because first the vehicles on the main road go, and between them, when the main road changes direction, the order is determined by the 'right-hand rule', after which the car from the secondary road is allowed to proceed.