8.1.19. In which directions are you permitted to proceed?
UAУ яких напрямках Вам дозволено рух?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests your ability to safely navigate a controlled intersection when both priority road signs and a traffic controller are present. For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember the basic principle of the traffic rules: at an intersection where a police officer (traffic controller) is directing traffic, it is their signals that determine who can go and in which direction, while priority signs are not decisive at that moment.
The topic of the question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules about traffic controller signals and their priority (points 8.3 and 8.8 a). When the traffic controller stands with arms extended to the sides (or lowered, or the right arm bent in front of the chest), for non-rail vehicles approaching from the left or right side of the controller, only two directions are allowed: straight ahead and right turn. That is why options involving a left turn are not suitable, even if a 'Main Road' sign is visible nearby, because at a controlled intersection, the decision is made according to the controller's gesture.
If you break down the answer choices according to the logic of the traffic rules, 'right' and 'straight' individually are incomplete, because the signal allows both of these directions. Any options with 'left' are incorrect, since for non-rail vehicles in this position of the controller, a left turn is prohibited. Practically, this knowledge helps to avoid common mistakes on the theoretical exam and in real traffic: first determine who is controlling the intersection, and only then choose the permitted direction, without confusing the controller's gestures with the action of priority signs.
Clause 8.3
“The signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic light signals and the requirements of road signs and are mandatory for compliance. Traffic light signals, except for the flashing yellow, take precedence over priority road signs. Drivers and pedestrians must comply with additional requirements of the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic light signals, road sign requirements, and road markings.”
This clause checks that at an intersection, you must primarily follow the signals of the traffic controller (and not the priority sign).
Clause 8.8 a)
“Signals of the traffic controller. The signals of the traffic controller are the position of their body, as well as hand gestures, including with a baton or a disc with a red reflector, which have the following meanings:
a) arms extended to the sides, lowered, or the right arm bent in front of the chest:
• from the left and right sides — trams are allowed to go straight, non-rail vehicles are allowed to go straight and to the right; pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway behind the back and in front of the chest of the traffic controller;
• from the chest and back — movement of all vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited.”
This clause checks knowledge of the specific meaning of the traffic controller’s gesture “arms extended to the sides (or lowered) / right arm bent in front of the chest” for non-rail vehicles.
That is, the correct answer is “Straight or right,” given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, with the gesture of the traffic controller described in clause 8.8 a), from the left and right sides, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move straight and to the right, and according to clause 8.3, the signals of the traffic controller take priority over road signs.
At the intersection, both a priority road sign and a traffic controller are visible at the same time. In such a situation, you must first follow the signals of the traffic controller, because their instructions are mandatory and take precedence over priority road signs.
Next, we determine what exactly the gesture of the traffic controller allows. According to clause 8.8 a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, when the traffic controller's arms are extended to the sides (or lowered, or the right arm is bent in front of the chest), for non-rail vehicles located to the left or right of the controller, movement is allowed straight ahead and to the right. Turning left in this position is not allowed for non-rail vehicles.
Since the car is a non-rail vehicle and in the diagram it is approaching from the side for which this permission applies, the driver may continue in only two directions: straight ahead or turn right. The priority road sign in this particular situation does not determine the direction of movement, because the decision is made according to the traffic controller's signal.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Straight ahead or to the right," because according to clause 8.8 a), from the side of the controller, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move only straight ahead and to the right, and their signal takes precedence over the signs.