8.1.31. With this signal of the traffic controller, movement is permitted for:
UAНа даний сигнал регулювальника рух дозволено:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe passage through a controlled intersection, where priority is determined not by signs or the “right-hand rule,” but by the signals of the traffic controller. Such situations often occur in cities (especially with tram tracks), so for the theoretical exam it is important to quickly relate which side you are approaching the controller from and which maneuver is allowed for you specifically.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the signals of the traffic controller, specifically clause 8.8 b) (“right arm extended forward”). According to this signal, from the chest side all vehicles are allowed to move only to the right, and from the left side of the controller, trams are allowed to turn left, while non-rail vehicles from this side are allowed to move in all directions. That is why, in the given diagram, all shown participants can move in their intended directions: some approach from the chest side and turn right, and some from the left side, where the tram has the right to turn left and the car can go straight.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the correct application of 8.8 b) to each vehicle separately: options that “exclude” one of the trams or one of the cars are incorrect, because both the tram turning left from the left side of the controller and the tram/car turning right from the chest side are acting in permitted directions; likewise, non-rail vehicles from the left side have the right to go straight. The practical value of this rule for the exam and real traffic is that it helps to avoid traffic jams and dangerous situations: first, we read the controller's signal, determine our approach side, and only then choose the allowed maneuver.
Clause 8.8 b) (traffic controller 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 are used in the following sense:
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 — 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.”
Explanation of the application of the clause: with this signal of the controller, vehicles approaching from the front of the controller are allowed to move only to the right (the grey car and tram 1). From the left side of the controller, the tram is allowed to turn left (tram 2), and non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions (the white car can go straight).
That is, the correct answer is “Trams 1 and 2, the grey and white cars.”, given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, with the controller’s signal “right arm extended forward”, from the front, movement is allowed only to the right, and from the left side, trams are allowed to turn left and non-rail vehicles in all directions.
In this situation, the intersection is regulated, so we primarily follow the signal of the traffic controller, not the rules for “equal roads.” The controller is standing with their right arm extended forward, and it is the meaning of this signal that should be applied to each direction of approach.
According to clause 8.8 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, when the right arm is extended forward, different road users are allowed to move in different directions depending on which side they are approaching the controller from. From the front (chest) side, all vehicles are allowed to turn only to the right. From the left side of the controller, trams are allowed to turn left, and non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions. From the back and from the right side, movement is prohibited.
Now let’s apply this to the vehicles in the diagram. Tram 1 and the gray car are making a right turn, that is, moving in the direction permitted for their approach with this signal. The white car continues straight, and for it, this maneuver is also allowed, since it is a non-rail vehicle approaching from the left side of the controller, and from there, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move in all directions. Tram 2 is turning left, and this is the direction permitted for a tram approaching from the left side of the controller.
An important practical point: the trajectories of these vehicles in this combination do not create mutual prohibition by the controller’s signal, so all of them can start moving simultaneously in their permitted directions.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Trams 1 and 2, the gray and white cars,” since with the signal “right arm extended forward” (clause 8.8 (b)), trams from the left side are allowed to turn left, non-rail vehicles from the left side are allowed in all directions, and from the chest side, only a right turn is allowed, which matches the intentions of all the listed vehicles.