33.1.39. In this situation, do you have the right of way:
UAУ даній ситуації ви маєте перевагу:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of right of way at intersections of unequal roads and the ability to interpret warning road signs. Such situations directly affect road safety: the driver must assess in advance whether they are on a main or secondary road and anticipate the actions of vehicles that may be entering from side approaches.
Within the traffic rules, this question relates to section 33 “Road Signs,” specifically warning signs, including sign 1.23.3 “Joining of a secondary road.” Its meaning is that ahead there will be two consecutive junctions of secondary roads to the main road at a short distance, and on the sign’s diagram, the thick line indicates the main road. Therefore, for the theoretical exam, it is important to remember: this sign does not “apply only to the first turn,” but informs about two separate intersections, at each of which vehicles from secondary roads must follow the rule from point 16.11 and yield to those traveling on the main road.
That is why options where the right of way is indicated only at the first or only at the second intersection are incorrect: sign 1.23.3 warns of two junctions at once and confirms the status of your road as the main one at both sections. The statement that there is no right of way at all is also incorrect, since the definition of a “main road” in the Traffic Rules (point 1.10) is directly linked to the presence of such signs, and drivers from side roads must not create obstacles for vehicles on the main road.
Clause 33.1.23.3 — 33 "Road signs", 1 "Warning signs", sign 1.23.3 "Junction with a minor road"
Sign 1.23.3 "Junction with a minor road" warns of the junction of two minor roads (from both sides) with the main road at a short distance, and the image on the sign corresponds to the actual configuration of the intersections. This sign is used when the distance between the junctions of the minor roads is less than 50 m in populated areas and 100 m outside populated areas (installed in advance; if necessary, the distance is clarified by plate 7.1.1 "Distance to the object").
In this task, this sign specifically informs the driver that they are traveling on the main road in relation to both junctions, i.e., the priority applies at both consecutive intersections indicated by the sign.
Clause 16.11
At an intersection of roads of unequal importance, the driver of a vehicle traveling on a minor road must yield to vehicles approaching this intersection on the main road, regardless of their further direction of movement.
This rule means that at each of the two intersections warned about by sign 1.23.3, drivers from the minor roads are required to yield to vehicles traveling on the main road.
Clause 1.10 (term "Main road")
Main road — a road with a hard surface relative to a dirt road or a road marked with signs 1.22, 1.23.1–1.23.4, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7.
According to this definition, the presence of warning sign 1.23.3 indicates to the driver that they are on the main road in relation to the adjoining roads.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield (do not create an obstacle)")
Yield (do not create an obstacle) — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, or perform any maneuver, if this may force other road users who have priority to change their direction or speed.
This reveals the essence of the obligation of drivers on minor roads: they must not create obstacles for those traveling on the main road.
Clause 1.10 (term "Intersection")
Intersection — a place where roads cross, join, or branch at the same level, the boundary of which is the imaginary lines between the beginnings of the curves of the edges of the carriageways of each road.
This definition is necessary to understand that sign 1.23.3 specifically warns about two separate intersections (two junctions), at each of which the rule for passing an intersection of unequal roads applies.
That is, the correct answer is "At both intersections.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, sign 1.23.3 indicates the junction of two minor roads with the main road, and according to the rule for passing intersections of unequal roads, drivers from the minor road are required to yield to those traveling on the main road at each of these intersections.
In this situation, the key element is the warning sign 1.23.3 from section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. It informs the driver that ahead, in the direction of travel, there will not be one, but two consecutive intersections where secondary roads join your road.
On the sign's diagram, the main road is marked with a thick line, while the joining secondary roads are shown with thin branches. This means that you are driving on the main road, and vehicles entering from the side roads at each of these two intersections are on the secondary road and must yield to you.
It is important to understand that this sign warns about two junctions at once, meaning the status of your road as the main one is maintained at both consecutive intersections. Therefore, you have the right of way at both the first and the second intersection; other drivers must act according to the fact that they are entering from a secondary road (usually, additional priority signs are installed there as well).
Thus, the correct answer is "At both intersections," since sign 1.23.3 warns about two consecutive junctions with secondary roads and confirms that you are traveling on the main road at each of these intersections.