8.1.26. Are you allowed to proceed in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено Вам рух у даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely pass an intersection when traffic is being manually regulated. In such situations, the driver must primarily rely on the signals of the traffic controller, as they determine the order of movement and take precedence over traffic lights and most road signs. Understanding the gestures of the traffic controller directly affects safety, since a mistake can lead to driving into oncoming traffic or creating an obstacle for other road users.
The question pertains to the section of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic regulation, specifically to clause 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (controller's signals: "right arm extended forward"). The key here is to determine on which side of the controller the vehicle is located: when the vehicle is positioned in front of the controller (facing the chest) with the right arm extended forward, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in only one direction. This is a typical check on the theoretical exam: not to confuse the permitted maneuvers depending on the "side" of the controller.
If we evaluate the answer options, a complete prohibition of movement in this direction would only be correct when approaching from the back or the right side of the controller, but not from the "chest" position. Options that allow movement straight ahead or straight ahead together with a turn contradict clause 8.8 (b), since from the chest side only one maneuver is permitted. In practice, this means: if the driver does not intend to make the permitted turn, they must stop and wait for the next signal from the controller, so as not to violate traffic rules or create a conflict at the intersection.
Clause 8.8 b) (traffic controller’s signals — “right arm extended forward”)
“The signals of the traffic controller are the position of their body, as well as gestures with their arms, including with a baton or a disc with a red reflector, which are used in the following meaning: 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 front (chest side) — all vehicles are allowed to move only to the right; • from the right side and from behind — movement of all vehicles is prohibited; pedestrians are allowed to cross the carriageway behind the controller.”
Application to the situation: if your vehicle is “in front of the controller” (chest side) when the right arm is extended forward, you are allowed to move only to the right.
Thus, the correct answer is “Right turn allowed,” considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, when the controller’s signal is “right arm extended forward” from the chest side, all vehicles are allowed to move only to the right.
In this situation, you should be guided not by the traffic light or signs, but by the signals of the traffic controller, as it is these signals that determine the order of movement at the intersection.
In the illustration, the traffic controller is giving the signal: right arm extended forward. According to clause 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, the meaning of this signal depends on which side of the controller the vehicle is located.
Your car is positioned on the chest side of the controller. For this direction, the Traffic Rules establish a restriction: movement is allowed only to the right. This means that going straight or turning left at this moment is not permitted; if you do not intend to turn right, you must stop and wait for another signal from the controller.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Right turn allowed," since when the controller's right arm is extended forward, vehicles on the chest side are allowed to move only to the right.