8.1.5. Are you permitted to proceed in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено Вам рух у даній ситуації?
This is an exam question from the Ukrainian Traffic Rules about safely passing intersections in situations where the traffic light is not working and traffic is being directed by a traffic controller. Such tasks are especially important for the theoretical exam, as in real traffic drivers often make mistakes due to the "habit" of relying on the traffic light or because of the appearance of a tram, which seems to have priority by default. In reality, the main rule here is simple: the signals of the traffic controller take precedence, and only then everything else.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic regulation, specifically the priority and meaning of the traffic controller's signals (points 8.3 and 8.8 a) of the Traffic Rules). According to these rules, the signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic lights, signs, and road markings, and when the controller's arms are positioned as described in point 8.8 a), trams are allowed to go straight only from the left and right sides of the controller, while non-rail vehicles are allowed to go straight and to the right. Therefore, a car moving straight from the permitted side is acting correctly, and a tram intending to turn right must wait for another signal.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the difference in permitted directions for different types of vehicles. The option about a complete prohibition of movement is not suitable, because for a non-rail vehicle from this side of the controller, straight movement is allowed. The option about the need to "give way to the tram" is also incorrect: in this configuration, the tram does not have the right to turn right, so it does not create a priority situation for the turn, even if the turn signal is on. This is a typical trap in exam questions: remember that according to the controller's signal, the tram here can only go straight, and the car has the right to continue moving in the permitted direction.
Clause 8.3
The signals of the traffic controller have priority over traffic light signals and the requirements of road signs and are mandatory for compliance. Drivers and pedestrians must also comply with additional requirements of the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic light signals, road sign requirements, and road markings.
In this task, this means that at the intersection you must be guided specifically by the signal of the traffic controller (even if the traffic light is off/not working).
Clause 8.8 a)
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 with the following meanings: a) arms extended to the sides, lowered, or the right arm bent in front of the chest: • from the left and right sides — trams are allowed to go straight, non-rail vehicles — straight and to the right; pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway behind the back and in front of the chest of the traffic controller; • from the chest and back sides — movement of all vehicles is prohibited.
In this task, you (a non-rail vehicle), being on the permitted side of the traffic controller, may proceed straight, and the tram on this side is allowed to go only straight, so its intention to turn right does not correspond to the permitted direction of movement according to the traffic controller's signal.
That is, the correct answer is "Only you are allowed.", given that according to the traffic controller's signal from the left/right side, the tram is allowed to go only straight, and non-rail vehicles — straight (and to the right).
At this intersection, the traffic light is off, but the movement does not become "unregulated" because a traffic controller is operating. According to clause 8.3 of the Traffic Rules, their signals take precedence and are mandatory to follow, even if they do not coincide with what the traffic light would indicate.
The controller is giving a signal corresponding to clause 8.8 a) of the Traffic Rules (hand positions: arms extended to the sides/lowered or right arm bent in front of the chest). For vehicles located to the left and right of the controller, this signal allows non-rail vehicles to go straight or turn right, while a tram is only allowed to go straight.
Our car is to the right of the controller and intends to go straight. This is one of the permitted directions for non-rail vehicles for this signal, so we may proceed through the intersection.
The tram is also to the right of the controller, but it is indicating an intention to turn right (turn signal is on). However, turning right for the tram is not allowed with this signal: the tram is only permitted to go straight. Therefore, the tram must stop and wait for another signal from the controller that will allow the turn.
Thus, the correct answer is "Only you are allowed," since according to the controller's signal, our car on the right side is allowed to go straight, and the tram on this side is only allowed to go straight, so its right turn is prohibited.