16.2.94. How will you drive through this intersection?
UAЯк Ви проїдете дане перехрестя?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe passage of uncontrolled intersections, where there is no traffic light or traffic controller, and the order of movement is determined by priority road signs and general traffic rules. Such situations are especially typical for T-shaped intersections, and mistakes in determining who must yield often lead to dangerous conflicts and side collisions.
The task tests the section of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine on Passing Intersections, with an emphasis on points 16.11 and 16.13, which regularly appear on the theoretical exam. The logic is as follows: a vehicle from a secondary road is obliged to yield to those approaching on the main road (p. 16.11), so a car from the secondary road cannot "cut in" between road users on the main road. And between two vehicles moving on the main road (i.e., under equal conditions with each other), the rule of oncoming passage applies: when turning left, the driver must yield to the oncoming vehicle going straight or turning right (p. 16.13). Thus, the oncoming vehicle on the main road passes first, then the left turn is made, and only after that can the vehicle from the secondary road proceed.
That is why the option of passing without yielding is incorrect: when turning left, there is an obligation to let the oncoming vehicle pass on an equivalent road. The option where you must go last and additionally wait for the vehicle from the secondary road is also incorrect, because according to p. 16.11, it must yield to vehicles on the main road regardless of their intentions. The practical conclusion for driver training and exam preparation is simple: first determine the main/secondary road by the signs, then apply the left turn rule regarding oncoming traffic.
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 this intersection along the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement.
Application: the blue car (from the secondary road) is obliged to yield to vehicles moving along the main road (the red car and your car), so it will proceed last.
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 turning right from the opposite direction on a road of equal priority. This rule must also be followed by tram drivers among themselves.
Application: among vehicles on the main road (equal in priority to each other), the driver turning left (your car) must yield to the oncoming vehicle moving straight (the red car).
Clause 16.1
An intersection where the order of passage is determined by traffic 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 flashing yellow mode and there is no traffic controller, the intersection is considered unregulated, and drivers must follow the rules for unregulated intersections and the relevant road signs installed at the intersection.
Application: the question checks that in the absence of regulation, priority signs and the rules for passing unregulated intersections apply (in particular, clauses 16.11 and 16.13).
Clause 33.2.3 — 33 "Road Signs", 2 "Priority Signs", 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.
Application: your car and the red car have priority over the blue car because they are entering the intersection along the main road.
Clause 33.7.8 — 33 "Road Signs", 7 "Plates to Road Signs", plate 7.8 "Direction of the Main Road"
Indicates the direction of the main road at the intersection.
Application: allows you to correctly determine which directions at the intersection belong to the main road (i.e., which drivers have priority over those on the secondary road).
Thus, the correct answer is: "Second, yielding only to the red car," given that according to the Traffic Rules, a vehicle from the secondary road (clause 16.11) must yield to vehicles on the main road, and between two vehicles on the main road, priority is given to the oncoming vehicle moving straight ahead over the one turning left (clause 16.13).
In front of us is an uncontrolled T-junction, so the order of passage is determined by priority signs and the rules for passing uncontrolled intersections. Our car and the red car are approaching on the main road, while the blue car is moving on the secondary road.
First, we determine who has the right of way among vehicles from different roads. According to clause 16.11 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, a driver on a secondary road must yield to vehicles approaching on the main road, regardless of where they are going next. Therefore, the blue car in any case yields to both our car and the red car, so it will go last.
Next, we analyze the situation between those already on the main road: our car and the red car. Here, the roads are equal for them, and clause 16.13 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine applies: a driver turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right. Our car is making a left turn, and the red car is approaching from the opposite direction going straight, so we are obliged to yield to it.
After the red car passes through the intersection, we can make the left turn second. Only after the vehicles on the main road have passed can the blue car from the secondary road proceed.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Second, yielding only to the red car," since the blue car from the secondary road, according to clause 16.11, yields to traffic on the main road, and we, turning left, according to clause 16.13, must yield to the oncoming red car going straight.