18.13. What must the driver of a vehicle do when the traffic light permitting movement is switched on, if there are pedestrians in front who are finishing crossing the carriageway?
UAЩо повинен зробити водій транспортного засобу в разі ввімкнення сигналу світлофора, що дозволяє рух, якщо перед ним перебувають пішоходи, що закінчують перехід проїзної частини?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety at regulated pedestrian crossings and intersections, when traffic light signals change but there are still pedestrians remaining on the roadway. In practice, this situation occurs frequently: people may have started crossing on a permitted signal, but due to different walking speeds, they do not manage to completely clear the roadway by the time the driver receives a “permissive” signal. That is why the traffic rules require the driver not only to follow the traffic light, but also to assess the real situation, so as not to create an obstacle or danger.
The question tests knowledge of the sections of the Traffic Rules regarding passing regulated crossings and intersections, in particular the requirements of points 18.2 and 16.5. Their essence is the same: even if a signal permitting movement appears, the driver is obliged to yield to pedestrians who are finishing their crossing in the relevant direction. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that a “green” light does not grant an unconditional right of way to the car if this would force the pedestrian to stop, speed up, or dodge the vehicle.
Analysis of the answer options helps avoid common mistakes. The idea of “safely driving around” is incorrect, because maneuvering around a pedestrian at a crossing creates an unpredictable risk and actually means failing to fulfill the duty to yield to someone lawfully completing their crossing. The suggestion to “sound the horn” is also incorrect: this is not a way to “hurry up” the pedestrian, but rather unnecessary pressure and a potential source of danger. The correct logic according to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is simple: first allow pedestrians to finish crossing, and only then start or continue driving, making sure it is safe.
Clause 18.2
At regulated pedestrian crossings and intersections, when the traffic light or traffic controller gives a signal permitting vehicle movement, the driver must yield to pedestrians who are finishing crossing the carriageway in the relevant direction and for whom an obstacle or danger may be created.
Application: even if a signal permitting movement is activated, the driver is obliged not to start/continue moving in a way that would hinder or endanger pedestrians who are still completing their crossing.
Clause 16.5
When a signal is given by a traffic controller or a traffic light signal permitting movement is activated, the driver is obliged to yield to vehicles completing their movement through the intersection, as well as to pedestrians who are finishing crossing the carriageway.
Application: this is a general rule for the situation when a "permitting signal appears," which directly obliges the driver to give way to those who are lawfully completing their movement/crossing.
That is, the correct answer is "Yield to pedestrians," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, when a permitting traffic light signal is activated, the driver is obliged to let pedestrians who are finishing crossing the carriageway pass, so as not to create an obstacle or danger for them.
Imagine a typical situation at a regulated pedestrian crossing or at an intersection: you are standing in front of a traffic light, and the green signal allowing movement turns on for you. At the same time, there are still pedestrians in front of your vehicle on the roadway who have almost reached the sidewalk and are essentially finishing crossing.
Although the green signal gives you the right to start moving, it does not mean you can drive “unconditionally.” The rules are based on the fact that pedestrians may have started crossing on a signal that was allowed for them, but due to different speeds, age, or other circumstances, not everyone manages to clear the roadway at the same time. Therefore, when the signals change, there are inevitably moments when a pedestrian is still on the crossing, while the driver is already allowed to move.
It is precisely for such cases that paragraph 18.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes the driver’s obligation: if, when the signal allowing vehicle movement is on, pedestrians are finishing crossing the roadway in your direction and they may be obstructed or endangered, the driver must yield to them. That is, the driver must refrain from starting to move or do so in such a way that does not force the pedestrian to stop, speed up, or evade the vehicle.
In practice, this means the following: you see a pedestrian on the crossing ahead, even if you already have a green light. You stop or do not start moving, allow the person to finish crossing, and only after that do you continue moving, making sure the roadway is clear and no danger is created.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yield to pedestrians," since according to paragraph 18.2 of the Traffic Rules, when the signal allows movement, the driver is obliged to let pedestrians finish crossing if their movement could create an obstacle or danger for them.