60.1. How should the tram driver act in this situation?
UAЯк повинен вчинити в даній ситуації водій трамвая?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning road safety at controlled intersections and the correct understanding of traffic light signals, particularly additional sections with a green arrow. In the theoretical exam, such situations test the driver's ability not to confuse the “priority of the tram” with the actual right of way, which at intersections is determined primarily by traffic light signals and the rules for crossing intersections.
The question tests sections of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic light signals (clause 8.7.3 g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine) and the procedure for moving through a controlled intersection (in particular, the requirement of clause 16.9). When a tram moves on a green arrow in the additional section simultaneously with a red signal in the main section, such “permission” does not grant priority automatically: movement is only allowed if vehicles moving from other directions on a permissive signal are given way. Therefore, in the described situation, the tram must yield to the car moving on the main green signal.
If you choose the option where the tram passes first, this will be a typical mistake: the rule about tram priority does not work contrary to the traffic light and does not cancel the requirement to “give way” when moving on an arrow in the additional section together with a red/yellow signal. Instead, the option of yielding to the car corresponds to the logic of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: a driver moving on a “conditional permit” from the additional section must ensure unimpeded passage for those who have the main permissive signal, which directly reduces the risk of conflict and accidents at the intersection.
Clause 8.7.3 g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
“Traffic light signals have the following meanings: … e) a red signal, including a flashing one, or two red flashing signals prohibit movement. A signal in the form of a green arrow (arrows) in an additional section together with a yellow or red traffic light signal informs the driver that movement is allowed in the indicated direction provided that vehicles moving from other directions are given the right of way. A green arrow on a plate installed at the level of the red signal of a vertically arranged traffic light allows movement in the specified direction when the red signal is on from the far right lane (or the far left lane on one-way roads) provided that priority is given to other road users moving from other directions on a permissive traffic light signal.”
This clause checks that the “green arrow” in the additional section with a red signal in the main section does not grant priority — movement is only possible after yielding to vehicles from other directions that have a permissive signal.
Clause 16.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
“When moving in the direction of the arrow illuminated in the additional section simultaneously with a yellow or red traffic light signal, the driver must yield to vehicles moving from other directions. When moving in the direction of the green arrow on a plate installed at the level of the red signal of a vertically arranged traffic light, the driver must take the far right (left) lane and yield to vehicles and pedestrians moving from other directions.”
This clause directly establishes the obligation to “yield” when moving on a green arrow in the additional section together with a red/yellow main signal.
Clause 16.1 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
“Intersections where traffic is regulated by traffic lights or a traffic controller are considered regulated.”
This clause clarifies that the situation is specifically considered as movement at a regulated intersection, where priority is determined by traffic light signals and the rules regarding additional sections.
Thus, the correct answer is "Yield to the car.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, tram movement on a green arrow in the additional section with a red signal in the main section is allowed only if priority is given to vehicles moving from other directions on a permissive signal.
In this situation, we have a signal-controlled intersection where the order of passage is determined by the traffic light signals. Therefore, we evaluate not “who is on the rails,” but which signal allows each participant to proceed.
For the tram, movement is permitted by the green arrow in the additional section, which is activated together with the prohibitive (red) signal of the main section. According to the content of clause 8.7.3 (g) and the requirements of clause 16.9, such permission is not an unconditional advantage: it means that driving in the indicated direction is allowed only after yielding to vehicles moving from other directions on a permissive signal.
In this situation, the car is moving on the main green signal of the traffic light, that is, it is allowed to proceed without the condition of “yielding” to the tram. Accordingly, the tram, which is moving according to the arrow from the additional section while the main is red, must first yield to those moving on the main permissive signal.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yield to the car," since the tram is moving on the green arrow of the additional section while the main section is red and is required to yield to vehicles moving from other directions on a permissive signal.