8.1.20. Which vehicles are allowed to proceed at this traffic controller's signal?
UAЯким транспортним засобам дозволено рух на даний жест регулювальника?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning safety at intersections and correct interaction with a traffic controller. In real traffic, the signals of a traffic controller are often used during traffic jams, road repairs, or when the traffic light is working unstably, so understanding the gestures directly affects safe and conflict-free passage. For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember a basic principle: in such situations, the rules regarding regulatory signals take precedence over the usual prompts from traffic lights or signs.
The question tests the PDR section on traffic controller signals (points 8.3 and 8.8 b)). According to point 8.3, the signals of the traffic controller have priority over traffic lights, signs, and road markings, so the analysis starts with determining from which side of the controller the vehicles are approaching. According to point 8.8 b), with the gesture "right arm extended forward," for those approaching from the left side, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions (within the occupied lane), while a tram is allowed to turn only left. That is why the correct answer is the option where movement is allowed for two passenger cars, while the tram in the shown situation cannot continue straight and must wait for another signal.
The answer analysis helps to avoid typical mistakes on the theoretical exam: the option "all" is incorrect because the tram with this gesture does not have the right to go straight; options where the tram is allowed to move together with one of the cars are also wrong for the same reason. Instead, the option that allows both non-rail vehicles to move corresponds to the norm of point 8.8 b) of the PDR of Ukraine and the logic of signal priority under point 8.3. The practical benefit of this knowledge is simple: you orient yourself faster at intersections, do not obstruct the tram, and do not provoke dangerous situations due to incorrect interpretation of the traffic controller's gesture.
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 signs, and markings.
Brief application to the task: the gesture of the traffic controller is evaluated first; other means of traffic organization (traffic lights/signs/markings) do not determine permission to move if the controller is giving signals.
Clause 8.8 b)
The signals of the traffic controller are the position of their body, as well as gestures with their hands, including with a baton or a disc with a red reflector, which have the following meanings: b) right arm extended forward: • from the left side — trams are allowed to turn left, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions; pedestrians are allowed to cross the carriageway behind the controller; • from the chest side — all vehicles are allowed to turn only to the right; • from the right side and from the back — movement of all vehicles is prohibited; pedestrians are allowed to cross the carriageway behind the controller.
Brief application to the task: for the gesture "right arm extended forward," for vehicles located on the left side of the controller, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions (within their lane), and trams — only to the left, therefore, in the image, movement is allowed for the white and blue cars.
That is, the correct answer is "The white and blue cars," given that according to the Traffic Rules, when the controller's position is "right arm extended forward" from the left side, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions, and trams — only to the left.
At an intersection, the signals of a traffic controller are mandatory and take precedence over traffic lights, signs, and road markings. Therefore, we should primarily follow the controller’s gesture, as provided by clause 8.3 of the Traffic Rules.
In the image, the controller is giving the signal “right arm extended forward.” It is important to determine from which side of the controller the vehicles are approaching. In this situation, both the white and the blue cars are approaching from the controller’s left side.
According to clause 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules, for vehicles that are on the left side of the controller with this gesture, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in any direction (taking into account the lane they occupy). Therefore, the blue car may turn right, and the white car may continue straight.
The tram in this situation falls under a different rule: with this gesture, from the left side of the controller, the tram is only allowed to turn left. Since in the diagram the tram is actually intending to go straight (and there is no possibility to turn left), it must stop and wait for another signal.
Thus, the correct answer is “The white and blue cars,” because with the gesture “right arm extended forward,” for vehicles on the left side of the controller, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions, while the tram is only allowed to turn left.