8.1.44. At this intersection, drivers and pedestrians must follow:
UAНа даному перехресті водії та пішоходи повинні керуватися:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests a basic safety principle at intersections: how to act when different means of traffic control are operating simultaneously. In real-life situations, a driver or pedestrian may see a traffic light, signs, road markings, and a traffic controller, and a mistake in determining the priority of signals leads to conflicts, dangerous maneuvers, and accidents.
The question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic regulation, specifically the topic "Signals of the traffic controller and traffic lights." It directly relies on clause 8.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, which establishes the hierarchy: signals from the traffic controller have the highest priority and are mandatory even when they contradict traffic lights, road signs, or markings. This order is often checked in the theoretical exam, as it determines the correct behavior at regulated intersections.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to one rule: relying only on the traffic light is a mistake if traffic is already being controlled by a traffic controller. Similarly, the logic "follow the traffic light if the gestures are unclear" is incorrect—there is no such exception in the Traffic Rules; if the signals are unclear, the driver must stop and act safely, not choose another means of regulation. In practice, this means that all road users follow the instructions of the traffic controller, and pedestrians cross the roadway only according to his position and permission, in particular behind the controller's back, when this is not prohibited by his signal.
Clause 8.3
“The signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic light signals and the requirements of road signs and are mandatory for compliance. Traffic light signals, except for the flashing yellow, take precedence over priority road signs. Drivers and pedestrians must comply with additional instructions from the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic light signals, road sign requirements, and road markings.”
Application: in the case where a traffic controller and other means of traffic organization (traffic lights, signs, markings) are present at an intersection at the same time, drivers and pedestrians are required to follow the signals of the traffic controller, as they have the highest priority.
That is, the correct answer is “The signals of the traffic controller,” considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic light signals, road sign requirements, and markings, and are mandatory for drivers and pedestrians to follow.
There may be several traffic control devices at an intersection at the same time: a traffic light, road signs, road markings, and sometimes even a traffic controller. In such a situation, the main task of the driver and pedestrian is to correctly determine which has priority in order to act safely and legally.
According to clause 8.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, the signals of the traffic controller are mandatory and take precedence over the signals of traffic lights and the requirements of road signs. That is, if a traffic controller is directing traffic, their gestures are primary, even when they do not coincide with the traffic light, signs, or markings.
This means that the driver does not rely on the signal shown by the traffic light and does not decide to proceed based on priority signs while a traffic controller is operating at the intersection. Similarly, pedestrians cross the roadway only as permitted by the position of the traffic controller (in particular, crossing is allowed behind their back, when this is not prohibited by the controller's signal).
Therefore, the correct answer is "The signals of the traffic controller," since according to clause 8.3 of the Traffic Rules, their signals have the highest priority and are mandatory for drivers and pedestrians even in the presence of a traffic light and road signs.