8.1.53. Which drivers of vehicles are allowed to proceed in this situation?
UAВодіям яких транспортних засобів дозволено рух у даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the ability to safely navigate controlled intersections where both traffic lights with additional sections and informational-directional lane signs are in effect. In practice, such situations often cause mistakes on the theoretical exam and in real traffic, because drivers confuse the 'general green' with permission for any maneuver and do not take into account that the arrows on the traffic light restrict the directions of movement.
The question relates to the section of the Traffic Rules concerning traffic light signals, specifically paragraph 8.7.3 b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: a green signal in the form of arrows allows movement only in the indicated directions, and a left turn is possible only if there is a permissive signal from the corresponding additional section. In this situation, the main green with arrows opens movement straight and to the right, while the section for the left turn is not activated, so the left turn maneuver is temporarily prohibited, even if the 'left' lane was chosen in advance according to sign 5.18 'Direction of movement by lane.'
If we analyze the options, the correct one is where movement is allowed for rail transport going straight and for the car turning right: both are performing maneuvers in directions permitted by the traffic light at this moment. The option 'for all vehicles' is incorrect because the left turn is not allowed without the signal from the additional section; the option with two cars is also not suitable for the same reason; and the option 'tram and white car' is wrong because the white car is planning to turn left and must wait for the permissive signal from the section. The ability to read the arrows on the traffic light and correlate them with sign 5.18 directly affects the safety and correctness of the driver's actions at intersections.
Clause 8.7.3 b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
“Traffic light signals have the following meanings: b) a green arrow (arrows) on a black background allows movement in the indicated direction(s). The signal in the form of a green arrow (arrows) in an additional section of the traffic light has the same meaning. A signal in the form of an arrow that allows a left turn also allows a U-turn, unless it is prohibited by road signs.”
In this situation, the main green signal with arrows allows movement straight ahead and to the right; left turn is possible only if there is a permissive signal in the corresponding additional section (and when it is not lit, left turn is not allowed).
Clause 33.5.18 — 33 “Road Signs”, 5 “Information and Direction Signs”, sign 5.18 “Lane Direction”
“Indicates the permitted directions of movement by lanes at an intersection (or on another section of the road). Movement is allowed only in the directions indicated by the arrows on the sign.”
In this situation, sign(s) 5.18 determine from which lanes movement straight/right/left is allowed, and the driver is additionally required to comply with the traffic light signals regarding the actual permission for the corresponding direction of movement.
That is, the correct answer is "To the tram driver and the red car driver," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the green traffic light signal in the form of arrows allows movement only in the indicated directions (straight and right), while a left turn is possible only when the additional section is on, and sign 5.18 determines the permitted directions of movement by lanes.
In front of us is a signal-controlled intersection: the order of passage is determined by the traffic light signals. Additionally, lane direction signs are installed above the lanes, so the driver must follow both the traffic light signals and the requirements of these signs, choosing the appropriate lane for their maneuver.
The traffic light shows a green signal with arrows indicating the permitted directions of movement. According to clause 8.7.3 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, a green signal in the form of an arrow on a black background (or a green arrow in an additional section) allows movement only in the direction indicated by the arrow. In our situation, the main green allows movement straight ahead and to the right, and the additional section for turning left is not activated, so turning left is currently prohibited.
The tram intends to go straight, that is, in a permitted direction for this traffic light signal, so it is allowed to proceed. The red car is indicating a right turn and is also moving in a direction permitted by the green signal (to the right), so it may go.
The white car has turned on the left turn signal, but to turn left at such a traffic light, the corresponding additional section must be activated. Since it is not working, the driver of the white car must wait for the permissive signal to turn left.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The tram driver and the red car driver," since the green signal with arrows according to clause 8.7.3 (b) only allows movement straight ahead and to the right, and turning left is possible only when the additional section is activated, which is not the case now.