33.4.24. Are you permitted to make a U-turn in the situation shown?
UAЧи дозволено Вам виконати розворот у зображеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety when choosing a direction of travel and performing maneuvers in places where the order of movement is determined by road signs. Such situations often occur on roads with a median strip and gaps in it, where drivers mistakenly perceive the "gap" as permission for a U-turn, although the actual mode of movement is set by mandatory signs.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 "Road Signs," in particular mandatory signs (clause 33.4.1) and the general requirement of clause 8.4 regarding the obligation to comply with road signs. Sign 4.1 "Straight Ahead Only" allows movement only straight ahead, and any change of direction, including a U-turn, contradicts its requirement. It is important to note that a gap in the median strip is not an intersection by itself, so the sign establishes the mode of movement on the road section up to the nearest intersection (according to the conditions of its installation) and does not "open" the possibility for a maneuver at the gap.
When choosing between answer options, the statement about the possibility of performing the maneuver is incorrect, because the mandatory sign leaves the driver no choice of direction except straight ahead. The correct answer is that the maneuver is prohibited: this complies with the requirements of sign 4.1 and the logic of traffic organization, since a U-turn in such a place can create dangerous traffic conflicts. In the theoretical exam, such tasks primarily teach us to read road signs and understand their area of effect, rather than relying only on the "convenience" of road markings or the presence of a gap.
Clause 8.4 (Road signs)
Road signs are used to organize road traffic and are mandatory for all road users.
Clause 33.4.1 — 33 "Road signs", 4 "Mandatory signs", sign 4.1 "Straight ahead only"
Sign 4.1 "Straight ahead only" permits movement only straight ahead. The sign does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. The sign applies to the intersection of carriageways before which it is installed, and if installed at the beginning of a road or after an intersection, it applies to the section of the road up to the next intersection. The sign does not prohibit turning right into courtyards or other areas adjacent to the road.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that sign 4.1 "Straight ahead only" allows movement only straight ahead, and a U-turn is a deviation from the permitted direction of movement and contradicts the mandatory requirement of this regulatory sign.
In the situation shown, a mandatory road sign 4.1 "Straight ahead only" is installed before the place where the maneuver could be performed. Mandatory signs must be obeyed, meaning the driver cannot choose another direction of movement at their own discretion.
The meaning of sign 4.1 is unambiguous: it allows you to continue moving only straight ahead. This means that any change of direction that is not straight ahead, including a left turn or a U-turn, contradicts the requirement of the sign. The only exception applies to route vehicles, but for an ordinary passenger car driver, there are no such exceptions.
An important point in this situation is also that the gap in the median strip is not an intersection. Therefore, the sign should be perceived as one that sets the order of movement on this section of the road and obliges you to go straight, not as a "permission for a maneuver" at the location of the gap. Turning right is allowed only when entering an adjacent territory, but a U-turn does not fall under this category.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since sign 4.1 "Straight ahead only" requires you to move only straight ahead and does not allow you to make a U-turn at this location.