8.1.57. May the driver of the car start moving in this situation?
UAЧи може водій автомобіля в даній ситуації розпочати рух?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety at regulated intersections and the correct response to traffic light signals. In real traffic, such situations are critical: starting prematurely on a prohibited signal creates a risk of accidents, conflicts with vehicles finishing crossing the intersection, and danger to pedestrians.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic regulation, specifically Section 8 "Traffic Regulation," 8.7 "Traffic Lights," item 8.7.3 (subitem "e"). The combination of red and yellow signals illuminated simultaneously has a clear meaning: movement is prohibited, and the driver is only warned about the imminent activation of green. Therefore, the option "may" is incorrect, as yellow in this pair does not "allow" driving and does not cancel the prohibition of red; the correct answer is the need to wait for the green signal.
For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember that the red-yellow signal means "prepare," not "go": the driver can assess the situation, prepare to start, and make sure the intersection is clearing, but starting to move is only allowed after the green traffic light appears. This knowledge helps avoid common mistakes on the exam and supports discipline at intersections in everyday driving.
Clause 8.7.3 (subclause "e") — 8 "Traffic Regulation", 8.7 "Traffic Lights"
"Traffic light signals have the following meanings: e) the combination of red and yellow signals prohibits movement and informs about the upcoming activation of the green signal."
Application in the situation: the simultaneous activation of the red and yellow signals is prohibitive, so the driver does not have the right to start moving until the green signal appears.
Thus, the correct answer is "Cannot, because must wait for the green signal to turn on," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the combination of red and yellow traffic light signals prohibits movement and only informs about the upcoming activation of the green signal.
In this situation, the car has approached an intersection where traffic is regulated by a traffic light. Both the red and yellow signals are illuminated at the same time. For the driver, this means that the intersection is still “closed” to traffic.
According to clause 8.7.3 (e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, the combination of red and yellow signals prohibits movement and only indicates that green will be the next signal. That is, yellow in this combination does not grant permission to proceed and does not “lessen” the prohibition of the red signal.
In practice, this means the driver can prepare to start moving (assess the situation, pay attention to other participants), but is not actually allowed to move from the spot until the green signal appears. Only the green signal gives permission to start moving through the intersection.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Cannot, because the driver must wait for the green signal to turn on," since the combination of red and yellow signals prohibits movement and only warns of the imminent appearance of green.