33.4.6. On which side must you pass the obstacle in the situation shown?
UAЗ якого боку ви повинні об'їхати перешкоду в зображеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe bypassing of obstacles during roadworks and the correct compliance with road signs. In real-life situations, barriers, narrowing of the roadway, and temporary traffic schemes require the driver to quickly read information from signs and act unambiguously, as a mistake in the direction of bypassing can create an accident risk and conflict with oncoming traffic.
The topic "Traffic Regulation" and "Road Signs" is being tested: point 8.4 and 8.4.7, as well as section 33, mandatory signs, in particular sign 4.8 "Bypass the obstacle on the left." Warning sign 1.37 "Roadworks" only informs about a hazard ahead, whereas mandatory sign 4.8 establishes the required direction of bypassing the obstacle specifically to the left, meaning the driver must pass on the side indicated by the arrow.
The analysis of answer options for the theoretical exam is straightforward: "from either side" is not suitable, because mandatory signs do not leave a choice and introduce a specific traffic regime; "from the right side" contradicts the direct requirement of sign 4.8; the correct option is the one that provides for bypassing on the left side. Understanding this logic helps students confidently pass the theoretical exam and act correctly in areas with temporary traffic organization.
Clause 8.4 — 8 “Traffic Regulation”, 8.4 “Road Signs”
Road signs are used to regulate traffic, warn its participants about danger, and inform about directions of movement, the location of various objects, etc. Road users are required to comply with the requirements of road signs.
Clause 8.4.7 — 8 “Traffic Regulation”, 8.4 “Road Signs” (group “Mandatory Signs”)
Mandatory signs introduce or cancel a certain traffic regime; the driver is required to comply with the requirements of mandatory signs.
Clause 33.4 — 33 “Road Signs”, 4 “Mandatory Signs”, sign 4.8 “Bypass the Obstacle on the Left”
Sign 4.8 “Bypass the Obstacle on the Left” — bypassing safety islands and various obstacles located on the carriageway is allowed only on the left side (in the direction of the arrow).
Clause 33.1 — 33 “Road Signs”, 1 “Warning Signs”, sign 1.37 “Road Works”
Sign 1.37 “Road Works” — warns about a section of the road where road works are being carried out.
That is, the correct answer is “On the left side.”, given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the requirements of mandatory sign 4.8 directly establish the obligatory direction for bypassing the obstacle — only to the left.
In the depicted situation, first pay attention to the warning sign 1.37 "Road works." It informs you that road works are being carried out ahead on the carriageway, which means the lane may be narrowed or barriers and obstacles may appear that need to be bypassed.
Next, the key point is the mandatory sign 4.8 from section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. This sign does not merely recommend but establishes the obligatory direction for bypassing the obstacle: it indicates from which side it is allowed and required to pass by the fenced-off area or other obstacle on the carriageway.
Since sign 4.8 directly indicates bypassing on the left side, the driver is obliged to perform the maneuver precisely to the left of the obstacle. Options to bypass on the right side or "whichever is more convenient" are not suitable here, because mandatory signs determine the only correct order of movement at this location.
Therefore, the correct answer is "On the left side," since mandatory sign 4.8 establishes the obligatory direction for bypassing the obstacle specifically to the left.