33.4.23. In which direction is the driver of the green vehicle permitted to proceed in the depicted situation?
UAУ якому напрямку водієві зеленого автомобіля 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 and understand the limits of their effect on a section of the road. Such situations often occur in cities near residential areas, where there are entrances to courtyards and other adjacent territories, and a mistake in interpreting the sign can lead to a dangerous maneuver or a violation of traffic rules during the theoretical exam.
The question belongs to section 33 "Road Signs", specifically to mandatory signs 4.1 "Straight Ahead Only", and also touches on definitions from clause 1.10 regarding "intersection" and "adjacent territory." The key nuance is that sign 4.1 in the diagram is installed after the intersection, so it applies not to the intersection behind, but to the subsequent section of the road up to the next intersection. At the same time, the Traffic Rules explicitly clarify: sign 4.1 does not prohibit turning right into courtyards and other territories adjacent to the road, that is, a right turn into a courtyard is allowed along with moving straight ahead.
If we analyze the answer options, the correct one is the one where both straight-ahead movement on the road and a right turn into an adjacent territory are allowed: this corresponds to the effect of sign 4.1 and the exception specified in the section on mandatory signs. The option with only straight-ahead movement is incomplete, as it ignores the right turn into a courtyard permitted by the Traffic Rules. Options that include a left turn or a U-turn are incorrect: until the next intersection, such maneuvers contradict the requirement of sign 4.1, and in addition, in similar tasks, they are usually made impossible by a solid line marking, which is prohibited to cross.
Clause 33.4.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 4 "Mandatory Signs", sign 4.1 "Straight Ahead"
4.1 "Straight Ahead". Only straight-ahead movement is permitted.
Clause 33.4 (paragraph on the effect of signs 4.1–4.6) — 33 "Road Signs", 4 "Mandatory Signs"
The sign does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. The sign applies to the intersection of carriageways before which it is installed. If the sign is installed at the beginning of a road or after an intersection, its effect extends to the section of the road up to the nearest intersection. The sign does not prohibit turning right into courtyards or other adjacent areas.
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 rounding of the edges of the carriageway of each road. The place where an exit from an adjacent area adjoins the road is not considered an intersection.
Clause 1.10 (term "Adjacent Area")
Adjacent area — an area adjacent to the carriageway and not intended for through traffic of vehicles (courtyard areas, residential zones, parking lots, gas stations, etc.).
Clause 34.1.1 — 34 "Road Markings", 1 "Horizontal Markings", marking 1.1
1.1 — a narrow solid line that separates traffic flows of opposite directions and marks the boundaries of traffic lanes in dangerous places on roads; marks the boundaries of the carriageway into which entry is prohibited. Crossing line 1.1 is prohibited.
(Application in the task: the marking additionally makes maneuvers involving crossing the solid line impossible, in particular, turning left/u-turning across it.)
Thus, the correct answer is "In directions A and B.", considering that according to the requirement of sign 4.1, only straight-ahead movement is allowed, and if the sign is installed after the intersection, it applies up to the nearest intersection and does not prohibit turning right into an adjacent area (entering a courtyard), while turning left/u-turning in this section is prohibited.
In this situation, the key is to correctly understand how regulatory sign 4.1 “Straight ahead only” works. According to Section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, this sign requires the driver to move straight ahead, but it is important to consider how it is installed.
In the illustration, sign 4.1 is placed not before the intersection, but after it. In this case, its effect does not apply to the intersection itself, which is already behind, but to the following section of the road up to the next intersection. That is, from the point where the sign is installed, the driver is required to move straight along this road.
At the same time, the Traffic Rules specify an exception for this sign: it does not prohibit turning right into adjacent areas (for example, into a yard). On the diagram, direction A shows exactly an entry to the right into a courtyard area, not a turn onto another road at the intersection. Therefore, such a maneuver is allowed, even though the sign generally prescribes “straight ahead.”
On the other hand, turning left in direction B and making a U-turn (direction H) in this section would violate the requirement of sign 4.1, because up to the next intersection it effectively “cuts off” any left turns and U-turns. A left entry into a yard at this location is also not allowed, since the exception in the Traffic Rules applies only to right turns into adjacent areas.
Therefore, the correct answer is “In directions A and B,” because sign 4.1, installed after the intersection, obliges the driver to move straight to the next intersection (direction B), but does not prohibit a right turn into an adjacent area (direction A).