8.1.30. In which of the places are pedestrians permitted to cross the carriageway in this situation?
UAУ якому з місць пішоходам дозволено перехід проїзної частини в даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests a pedestrian’s ability to act safely at an intersection where traffic is controlled not by a traffic light, but by a traffic controller. Such situations often cause mistakes on the theoretical exam, because the presence of markings and designated “zebra” crossings does not automatically grant permission to cross: the controller’s signals take priority, and not knowing their meaning creates a real risk of conflict with vehicles.
According to the section “Controller’s Signals” (clause 8.8 b) of the Traffic Rules), when the controller’s right arm is extended forward, pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway only behind the controller. This is exactly what the task checks: you need to determine which of the marked crossings is located behind the controller, and select only that one as permitted. Additionally, the logic of the rule is supported by the general obligation for pedestrians at regulated locations to follow the controller’s signals, not just the presence of a crossing.
If you analyze the answer options, the correct one is the one that indicates only location H, because only there is the crossing performed “behind the back” of the controller. Options with location B (either “B and H” or “in all places”) are incorrect: crossing at locations A, B, and V occurs from the chest side or the side of the controller, and according to clause 8.8 b), this does not give the pedestrian the right to cross, even if the road seems clear. In practice, this knowledge helps to correctly assess priorities at intersections and avoid dangerous situations when vehicles may be performing permitted maneuvers and drivers expect pedestrians to act according to the traffic rules.
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 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 carriageway behind the traffic controller; • from the chest side — all vehicles are allowed to turn only right; • from the right side and from the back — movement of all vehicles is prohibited; pedestrians are allowed to cross the carriageway behind the traffic controller.”
In this task, the key point is: with this position of the traffic controller, pedestrians are allowed to cross the carriageway specifically “behind the traffic controller,” that is, only at the crossing located behind them (this is location H).
Clause 4.14 (pedestrian duties in places where traffic is regulated)
Pedestrians must: “in places where traffic is regulated, follow the signals of the traffic controller or the traffic light.”
This means that even if there are pedestrian crossings, the pedestrian must act according to the signal of the traffic controller, and not just rely on the location of the crossing.
Therefore, the correct answer is “At location H,” given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, when the traffic controller’s signal is “right arm extended forward,” pedestrians are allowed to cross the carriageway only behind the traffic controller.
In this situation, movement at the intersection is determined not by signs or traffic lights, but by the signal of the traffic controller. Therefore, the pedestrian should primarily be guided by the position of the controller's arms and body, even if pedestrian crossings are marked on all sides.
According to point 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, when the controller's right arm is extended forward, pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway only behind the controller's back. The logic of the rule is simple: crossing is permitted where the pedestrian moves outside the directions that may currently conflict with traffic flows.
If you look at the proposed locations A, B, V, and H, only the crossing at location H is situated directly behind the controller's back. At locations A, B, and V, the pedestrian would be on the chest side or the sides of the controller, where crossing is not allowed for pedestrians according to this signal, regardless of whether there are vehicles nearby.
It is also important to remember: in the permitted direction, drivers turning right are required to yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway behind the controller's back. But for the pedestrian, the key rule here is this: you may cross only where the signal directly allows it.
Therefore, the correct answer is "At location H," since when the controller's right arm is extended forward, pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway only behind the controller's back, and among the given options, this corresponds only to location H.