8.1.29. Are you permitted 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 act safely at an intersection when traffic is controlled not by a traffic light, but by the signals of a traffic controller. Such situations are especially important for road safety, as misinterpreting the gestures can lead to conflicting trajectories and accidents even at low speeds.
The question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the signals of the traffic controller (paragraph 8.8 b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine). The key point here is not the direction the driver intends to go, but from which side of the controller the vehicle is located. When the signal is "right arm extended forward," movement from the back side of the controller is prohibited for all vehicles, so you cannot start moving regardless of whether you intend to turn right or left.
That is why options allowing movement to the right or both right and left are incorrect: they contradict the direct rule of paragraph 8.8 b), which establishes a complete prohibition for the back side. For the theoretical exam, it is useful to remember a practical rule: the controller's back for the driver is like a wall, meaning you must stop and wait until the controller turns the appropriate side and gives a permissive signal.
Clause 8.8 b) (Traffic Controller Signals)
“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: 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 roadway behind the controller; • from the front — all vehicles are allowed to turn only to the right; • from the right side and from behind — movement of all vehicles is prohibited; pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway behind the controller.”
In this situation, the vehicle is located behind the traffic controller when the gesture “right arm extended forward” is given, and according to the above provision, “from the right side and from behind — movement of all vehicles is prohibited.”
Therefore, the correct answer is “Movement is prohibited,” given that according to the Traffic Rules, when the controller’s signal is “right arm extended forward,” movement from behind the controller is prohibited for all vehicles.
At an intersection, traffic is regulated not by traffic light signals, but by the signals of the traffic controller. Therefore, you first need to determine on which side of the controller your vehicle is located and what gesture the controller is making.
In this situation, the controller is standing with his back to you and at the same time has extended his right arm forward. According to clause 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, with this signal, movement of all vehicles from the back side of the controller is prohibited. That is, regardless of where you plan to go, you cannot start moving.
The practical rule to remember here is simple: the back of the controller means a prohibition of movement for the driver, because the controller is not controlling you and is not giving you a permissive signal. In such a situation, you must stop and wait until the controller turns to you with the appropriate side and gives a signal that allows movement.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Movement is prohibited," since you are on the back side of the controller when the signal is "right arm extended forward," and from this side, according to clause 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules, movement of vehicles is prohibited.