33.4.17. In which directions are you permitted to proceed in the situation shown?
UAУ якому з напрямків Вам дозволено рух у зображеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's ability to correctly interpret mandatory road signs at intersections and understand exactly where their requirements apply. In real traffic, such situations often occur at complex intersections with a dividing strip: a mistake in interpreting the sign's effect can lead to a dangerous maneuver, a conflict with other road users, or a violation of traffic rules.
According to the content of the ticket, this concerns Section 33 of the Traffic Rules, mandatory signs, in particular sign 4.4 "Movement straight ahead or to the right." An important nuance for the theoretical exam: the effect of this sign applies to the intersection of carriageways before which it is installed. If the intersection has two crossings (for example, due to the presence of a dividing strip on one of the roads), then the requirement "straight ahead or to the right" restricts maneuvers only at the first crossing, and at the second crossing within the same intersection, it no longer applies (unless there is a repeated sign or additional instructions).
Therefore, options that are limited only to the directions of the first crossing (such as "only A or B") are incomplete: yes, at the first crossing only these maneuvers are allowed, but after passing it, the driver enters the second crossing, where the restriction of sign 4.4 no longer applies. At the same time, options that "cut off" one of the directions at the second crossing (for example, allow only part of C or D) are also incorrect, because at the second crossing there is no reason to prohibit the corresponding maneuvers specifically by the requirement of this sign. Thus, the correct option is the one that takes into account both crossings: at the first, you can move only straight ahead or to the right, and at the second, maneuvers indicated by other directions on the diagram are available.
Clause 33.4.4 — 33 "Road Signs", 4 "Mandatory Signs", sign 4.4 "Movement Straight Ahead or to the Right"
Sign 4.4 "Movement Straight Ahead or to the Right" allows movement only straight ahead or to the right. The sign does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. The sign applies to the intersection of carriageways before which it is installed.
Explanation of application: if an intersection has two crossings of carriageways (due to the presence of a median strip), sign 4.4 restricts the directions of movement only at the crossing before which it is installed; at the next crossing within the same intersection, the effect of the sign does not apply (unless otherwise specified by additional signs/plates).
Clause 1.10 (term "Intersection")
Intersection — a place where roads cross, adjoin, 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. The place where an exit from an adjacent territory adjoins the road is not considered an intersection.
Explanation of application: it follows from this definition that within one intersection there may be more than one crossing of carriageways (in particular, when one of the roads has a median strip).
Clause 1.10 (term "Carriageway")
Carriageway — an element of the road intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Explanation of application: for answering, it is important to understand that at intersections it is specifically the carriageways that "cross", and sign 4.4 applies to the specific crossing of carriageways before which it is installed.
Clause 1.10 (term "Median Strip")
Median strip — an element of the road, distinguished structurally or by a solid line of road marking, that separates adjacent carriageways and is not intended for the movement or parking of vehicles.
Explanation of application: the presence of a median strip on one of the roads means that such an intersection actually forms two crossings of carriageways (one for each carriageway of the divided road), and the effect of sign 4.4 covers only the first of them (before which the sign is installed).
That is, the correct answer is "In direction A, B, V, or G.", given that according to the requirements of sign 4.4, movement is allowed only "straight ahead or to the right" at the first crossing of carriageways before which the sign is installed, and at the second crossing (within the same intersection formed by carriageways separated by a median strip), the effect of this sign does not apply.
In this situation, the key factor is the mandatory road sign 4.4 "Movement straight ahead or to the right." According to section 33 of the Traffic Rules, it obliges the driver, at the location where it is installed, to move only straight ahead or to the right and does not allow other maneuvers at the corresponding intersection.
Next, it is important to correctly "read" the intersection depicted in the illustration. Although visually it appears to be a single intersection, it is actually formed by two crossings of carriageways (due to the presence of a median strip on the main road). The effect of mandatory signs of this type applies specifically to the crossing of carriageways before which the sign is installed.
Therefore, at the first crossing, which you enter immediately after the sign, you are allowed only those options that comply with the requirement "straight ahead or to the right." On the diagram, these are directions A and B.
After passing the first crossing, you find yourself before the second crossing of the same intersection. Since sign 4.4 was not placed before it, its requirement does not apply to the second crossing. Thus, at the second crossing, you may perform maneuvers corresponding to directions V and H.
Therefore, the correct answer is "In the direction of A, B, V, or H," since sign 4.4 restricts movement only at the first crossing (where straight ahead or to the right is allowed), and its effect does not extend to the second crossing.