8.1.28. 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 regulated intersections and correctly interpret the signals of a traffic controller. In real traffic, mistakes in interpreting a police officer’s gestures often lead to conflicts and accidents, which is why typical situations where it is important to determine whether the driver has the right to continue moving are included in the theoretical exam.
The question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules concerning traffic regulation (points 8.2 and 8.8). The signals of the traffic controller are mandatory and take precedence over traffic lights, signs, and road markings. According to point 8.8(b), the gesture "right arm extended forward" means different permissions for non-rail vehicles depending on which side you are relative to the controller. Practical tip: the arm extended forward acts as a conditional barrier and blocks movement in certain directions.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to determining your position relative to the traffic controller. The option prohibiting movement is correct if you are on the right side of the controller or "behind his back" when his right arm is extended forward—in these directions, movement of non-rail vehicles is directly prohibited by the Traffic Rules. The options "allowed to the right" and "allowed to the left or for a U-turn" do not apply, as such permissions concern other approaches to the intersection (for example, movement "towards the chest" is only allowed to the right, and from the left side—in all directions), but not the position shown in the situation of this ticket.
Clause 8.2
Road users are required to obey the signals of the traffic controller; the signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic lights, road signs, and road markings.
Brief application: if a police officer (traffic controller) is regulating traffic at an intersection, the driver must primarily follow their signals, even if they differ from the signals of traffic lights or signs.
Clause 8.8 b)
The traffic controller's right arm is extended forward: from the left side of the controller, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions; from the chest side — only right turns are allowed; from the back and from the right side — non-rail vehicles are prohibited from moving. (Pedestrians are allowed to cross according to the directions specified in this clause.)
Brief application: if the vehicle is on the right side of the traffic controller or "at the back" of the controller when the right arm is extended forward, movement is prohibited.
That is, the correct answer is "Movement is prohibited," since according to the Traffic Rules, when the controller's signal is "right arm extended forward," movement from the right side and from the back of the controller for non-rail vehicles is prohibited, and their signals are mandatory and take priority.
At a controlled intersection, the signals of the traffic controller take precedence. Therefore, even if the traffic light or signs might suggest otherwise, you must act according to the controller’s gestures.
According to clause 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, when the controller extends their right arm forward, movement is prohibited for non-rail vehicles coming from certain directions. In practice, this gesture should be perceived as a conditional "barrier": the arm extended forward blocks movement for those participants who are on the controller’s right side and behind their back.
In the situation shown in the illustration, you are exactly in the direction relative to the controller for which this gesture means movement is prohibited. It is important to understand that the controller manages the entire intersection at once, and you cannot assess permission solely by the principle of "not crossing the line of the arm." If you imagine moving the controller to the edge of the roadway as a "barrier," it becomes clear that passage from this side is blocked.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Movement is prohibited," because according to clause 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules, when the controller’s right arm is extended forward, movement from the right side and from behind for non-rail vehicles is prohibited.