33.2.21. In which of the depicted situations must the driver comply with the requirement of the 'No entry without stopping' sign (in the second situation, the traffic light is operating in flashing yellow mode)?
UAУ якій із зображених ситуацій водій повинен виконати вимогу знака «Проїзд без зупинки заборонено» (у другій ситуації світлофор працює в режимі миготіння жовтого сигналу)?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of how a driver should act at an intersection where both priority signs and a traffic light may be present at the same time. The topic is directly related to road safety: correctly interpreting the traffic light's operating mode determines whether it is mandatory to stop before the stop line and yield to vehicles on the intersecting road.
The question covers traffic rules regarding the precedence of traffic light signals over priority signs (clause 8.3), the definition of regulated and unregulated intersections (clause 16.1), as well as the application of sign 2.2 "No entry without stopping" from section 33. The key logic for the theoretical exam: if the traffic light is operating in its normal mode (not flashing yellow), the intersection is regulated and the priority signs do not determine the order of movement; instead, the flashing yellow mode means the traffic light does not regulate the traffic, and the driver must follow the priority signs and the rules for passing unregulated intersections.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the difference between these two modes. The statement that a stop is required only in the first situation is incorrect, because when the traffic light is operating, its signals take precedence, not sign 2.2. The option "in both situations" is also incorrect: the mandatory stop according to sign 2.2 as a priority requirement is relevant only when the intersection becomes unregulated (yellow flashing or the traffic light is off). That is why the correct answer is the option where the requirement of the sign must be fulfilled in the situation with the flashing yellow signal, with a complete stop before the stop line or before the sign and then yielding the right of way.
Clause 8.3
The signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic light signals and road sign requirements and are mandatory for compliance. Traffic light signals, except for the flashing yellow, take precedence over priority road signs. Drivers and pedestrians must comply with additional instructions from the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic light signals, road sign requirements, and road markings.
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 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.
Clause 33.2 — 33 "Road Signs", 2 "Priority Signs", sign 2.2 "No Entry Without Stopping"
Prohibits passing without stopping before marking 1.12 (stop line), or if it is absent — before the sign. You must yield to vehicles moving on the intersecting road, and if there is a 7.8 "Direction of Main Road" plate — to vehicles moving on the main road, as well as to the right on an equivalent road.
That is, the correct answer is "In the second situation.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, when the traffic light is flashing yellow, it does not regulate traffic (the intersection is unregulated), so the driver is obliged to comply with the requirement of priority sign 2.2 and stop at the stop line (or before the sign).
In both situations presented, a 2.2 sign “No entry without stopping” is installed before the intersection. This sign itself means that the driver is not allowed to pass the control point without a complete stop: it is necessary to stop before the stop line, and if there is none — directly before the sign, and only after that continue driving, making sure it is safe and yielding to other road users on the intersecting road.
The key difference between the situations is whether the intersection is regulated. If the traffic light is operating in its normal mode (for example, the green light is on), the intersection is considered regulated. At a regulated intersection, the order of passage is determined by the traffic light signals, and priority signs are temporarily not applied. This follows from the rule that traffic light signals (except for the flashing yellow) take precedence over priority signs.
In the first situation, the driver sees a permissive green traffic light. Therefore, the movement at the intersection is regulated by the traffic light, and the requirement of sign 2.2 for a mandatory stop as a priority sign is not decisive in this situation: the driver acts according to the traffic light signal.
In the second situation, the traffic light is operating in flashing yellow mode. This mode means that the traffic light does not regulate traffic, and the intersection essentially becomes unregulated. In this case, the driver must follow the rules for passing unregulated intersections and the installed priority signs. Therefore, sign 2.2 comes into full effect: it is mandatory to stop before the stop line (or before the sign, if there is no stop line) and only then continue driving, yielding to vehicles on the intersecting road.
Thus, the correct answer is “In the second situation,” because when the yellow light is flashing, the traffic light does not regulate the intersection, it becomes unregulated, and the driver is obliged to comply with the requirement of sign 2.2 — to stop before the stop line (or before the sign).