16.2.92. 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 about safe and predictable passage at intersections without traffic lights or a traffic controller. In real traffic, mistakes in determining the main and secondary roads, as well as incorrect assessment of conflicting trajectories when turning left, most often lead to accidents. That is why the theoretical exam regularly includes situations where you need not to "guess," but to consistently apply the traffic rules and priority road signs.
The task tests Section 16 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine "Passing Intersections," specifically points 16.11 and 16.13, as well as the ability to read signs 2.3 "Main Road" and 2.1 "Yield" (taking into account plate 7.8 "Direction of the Main Road"). The algorithm is simple: first, the road priority is determined by the signs, and vehicles on the secondary road must yield to those approaching on the main road (point 16.11), regardless of where each is turning. Then, among participants on the same priority road, the left-turn rule applies: the one turning left yields to the oncoming vehicle going straight or turning right (point 16.13).
This explains the choice of the correct sequence: first, vehicles from the main road pass, with the one going straight having priority over the one turning left; only after the intersection is cleared do participants from the secondary road begin to move, where the same principle applies: "left turn yields to oncoming straight." The option in which, after the first vehicle from the main road, a vehicle from the secondary road immediately goes, contradicts point 16.11, because the secondary road cannot "cut in" between those who have priority. And the option where the blue car overtakes the cyclist ignores point 16.13: when turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic going straight, even if both are on the secondary road.
Clause 16.1
“An intersection where the order of passage is determined by traffic light signals 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 the flashing yellow mode and there is no traffic controller, the intersection is considered unregulated, and drivers must follow the rules for passing unregulated intersections and the relevant road signs installed at the intersection.”
This clause checks the ability to determine that the intersection is unregulated and the order of passage is established by priority signs and the rules of Section 16 of the Traffic Rules.
Clause 33.2 — 33 “Road Signs”, 2 “Priority Signs”, sign 2.3 “Main Road”
“Sign 2.3 ‘Main Road’ grants the right of priority passage at unregulated intersections. The sign is installed directly before the intersection, as well as at the beginning of the main road. The sign must be repeated with plate 7.8 ‘Direction of the Main Road’ before an intersection where the main road changes direction, as well as before an intersection with a complex layout.”
This sign indicates that the white and red cars (which are moving on the main road) are given priority over those on the secondary road.
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 the unregulated intersection on the main road, and if plate 7.8 ‘Direction of the Main Road’ is present — to vehicles moving on the main road. The sign is installed directly before the intersection or a narrow section of the road. Outside populated areas on paved roads, the sign is repeated with additional plate 7.1.1 ‘Distance to the Object’.”
This sign explains the obligation of the blue car and the cyclist (secondary road) to yield to vehicles 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” is used to clarify the direction of the main road at the intersection (together with priority signs).
In this question, it is needed to correctly determine which directions at the intersection belong to the main road and which to the secondary road.
Clause 16.11
“At an intersection of roads of unequal importance, the driver of a vehicle moving on the secondary road must yield to vehicles approaching this intersection along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.”
Application: vehicles moving on the main road (white and red cars) pass first, and only after them those on the secondary road (bicycle and blue car).
Clause 16.13
“Before turning left or making a U-turn, the driver of a non-rail vehicle is obliged to yield to a tram moving in the same direction, as well as to vehicles moving straight or turning right on an equivalent road in the opposite direction. This rule must also be followed by tram drivers among themselves.”
Application: on the main road, the red car, when turning left, must yield to the white car moving straight in the opposite direction. Similarly, on the secondary road, the blue car, when turning left, must yield to the cyclist moving straight.
That is, the correct answer is: “White, red cars, bicycle, blue car,” considering that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, vehicles on the main road have priority first (clause 16.11, signs 2.3/2.1), and among them and among vehicles on the secondary road, the order is determined by the rule “when turning left — yield to oncoming traffic moving straight” (clause 16.13).
There is no traffic light or traffic controller at the intersection, so it is unregulated. The order of passage here is determined by priority signs and the rules for passing at intersections.
The white and red cars are approaching on the main road (this is indicated by the 'Main Road' sign). The cyclist and the blue car are approaching on the secondary road (for them, the 'Give Way' sign is installed). According to clause 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 turning. Therefore, vehicles on the main road always go first.
Next, it is necessary to determine the order between the white and red cars, since they are both on the main road at the same time. The red car is turning left, while the white car is going straight. According to clause 16.13 of the Traffic Rules, a driver turning left must yield to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction going straight (or turning right) on an equivalent road. Thus, on the main road, the white car goes first, followed by the red car.
Only after the main road is clear can participants from the secondary road proceed. Between the cyclist and the blue car, clause 16.13 of the Traffic Rules again applies: the blue car is turning left, and the cyclist is going straight towards it, so the blue car must yield to the cyclist. Therefore, the cyclist goes first, and the blue car goes last.
Thus, the correct answer is "White, red cars, cyclist, blue car," since vehicles on the main road go first (clause 16.11), and among them and among vehicles on the secondary road, priority is given to the one who does not need to turn left across oncoming straight traffic (clause 16.13).