52.16. Is the driver of a bus operating on an established route allowed to turn left in the situation shown?
UAЧи дозволено водієві автобуса, що рухається за встановленим маршрутом, повернути ліворуч у зображеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns intersection safety and the correct understanding of road signs, particularly prohibitory and priority signs. In practice, such situations often occur in cities, where route vehicles operate on a schedule, and it is important for drivers not to confuse general prohibitions with exceptions provided by the traffic rules.
The task tests knowledge of Section 33 "Road Signs," specifically the application of sign 3.23 "Left Turn Prohibited," as well as the understanding of the term "route vehicles" from paragraph 1.10. Although sign 3.23 generally prohibits a left turn at the nearest intersection, the Traffic Rules explicitly state an exception: its effect does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. Additionally, sign 2.3 "Main Road" only determines priority in movement, but does not cancel or establish directions of movement, so the key point is the exception in the application of sign 3.23.
Therefore, the "Allowed" option is correct, because a route bus operating on an established route has the right to make a left turn within the area of sign 3.23. The "Prohibited" option would be correct for regular vehicles, but in the context of this theoretical exam, it is important to recognize the exception for route vehicles and apply it correctly.
Clause 33.3 — 33 "Road Signs", 3 "Prohibitory Signs", sign 3.23 "Left Turn Prohibited"
Left turns by vehicles are prohibited. U-turns are permitted. The sign does not apply to route vehicles. The sign applies to intersections of carriageways and other places where the sign is installed.
Brief application: although sign 3.23 generally prohibits left turns, a direct exception is provided for route vehicles (which operate on established routes), so a bus may make a left turn where the sign is in effect.
Clause 1.10 (term "Route Vehicles")
Route vehicles are public transport vehicles (buses, trolleybuses, trams) that operate on established routes and have designated stopping places.
Brief application: a bus operating on an established route is considered a route vehicle and therefore falls under the exception specified in the description of sign 3.23.
Clause 33.2 — 33 "Road Signs", 2 "Priority Signs", sign 2.3 "Priority Road"
A road on which non-rail vehicles have the right of way at intersections.
Brief application: sign 2.3 establishes priority at the intersection, but by itself does not prohibit making a left turn; the decisive factor is the exception in the effect of sign 3.23 for route vehicles.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Permitted.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the effect of sign 3.23 "Left Turn Prohibited" does not apply to route vehicles, and the bus operates on an established route.
There are two signs installed before the intersection. Sign 2.3 "Priority road" only indicates that you have the right of way at this intersection, but by itself does not determine the direction in which you may travel.
The second sign is a prohibitory one — 3.23 "No left turn." The general rule for this sign: for ordinary vehicles, a left turn at the nearest intersection before which it is installed is prohibited.
However, the Traffic Rules (section 33, sign 3.23) specifically provide an exception: this prohibition does not apply to vehicles operating on established routes. That is, a route bus operating according to an approved route may make a left turn even where other drivers are prohibited from doing so by sign 3.23.
That is why, in the depicted situation, the driver of the route bus has the right to turn left, provided that general safety requirements and intersection crossing rules are observed.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Allowed," since sign 3.23 does not apply to route vehicles operating on established routes.