17.6. Which driver must give way in this situation?
UAХто з водіїв повинен дати дорогу в даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of right of way in situations where the paths of a tram and a non-rail vehicle may intersect. Such situations are directly related to road safety: a tram has limited maneuverability, moves only along rails, and cannot quickly change direction, so it is important for the car driver to assess the situation in advance and be ready to reduce speed.
The question refers to a section outside an intersection where tram tracks cross the lane of cars. This is precisely what the section of the Traffic Rules regarding tram movement and priority (paragraph 17.3 of the Traffic Rules) checks: in such places, the tram has the right of way, and the driver of the non-rail vehicle must comply with the requirement to "give way" as defined in paragraph 1.10, that is, not to continue moving if it would force the tram to change speed or direction. Warning sign 1.20 only informs about the approach to a crossing with tram tracks and suggests increased attention, but does not cancel the tram's priority.
Analysis of the options in the theoretical exam comes down to a simple rule: if you choose the option that gives priority to the car, it will be a mistake, as it contradicts paragraph 17.3 (the only exception is when the tram is leaving the depot, which is specified separately in such tasks). Instead, the correct logic is as follows: the tram has priority, so the car driver is obliged to let it pass to avoid a conflict of paths at the crossing of the tracks with the roadway.
Clause 17.3
Outside intersections, where tram tracks cross the lane of non-rail vehicles, the tram has the right of way (except when the tram is leaving the depot).
Clause 1.10 (term "Give way")
Give way — 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 direction or speed.
Clause 1.10 (term "Right of way")
Right of way — the right to move first in relation to other road users.
Clause 33.1 — 33 "Road signs", 1 "Warning signs", sign 1.20 "Crossing with tram track"
The sign warns about a road crossing with a tram track (used to give advance warning to the driver about a possible intersection of paths with a tram).
Therefore, the correct answer is "The car driver.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, outside intersections when crossing tram tracks with the lane of non-rail vehicles, the tram has the right of way, and the car driver is obliged to give way.
In this situation, the paths of the car and the tram intersect at a location where the tram tracks cross the roadway. Warning sign 1.20 only informs the driver about approaching such a crossing, that is, it indicates a potentially dangerous section and the need to assess the situation in advance and be ready to reduce speed.
Next, it becomes crucial that the event takes place outside an intersection. Specifically for such cases, clause 17.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a priority rule: when tram tracks cross the lane of non-rail vehicles outside an intersection, the tram has the right of way (the only exception is when a tram is leaving a depot, but this is not indicated here).
The logic of this rule is simple: the tram is limited by the rails, it cannot change its path, maneuver around, or stop as quickly and effectively as a car. Therefore, the car driver must assess the approach of the tram to the crossing in advance and yield to it.
Thus, the correct answer is "The car driver," since outside an intersection, when a lane crosses tram tracks, priority according to clause 17.3 of the Traffic Rules is given to the tram.