8.1.6. Must the driver of the blue car, when turning right, give way to pedestrians?
UAЧи повинен водій синього автомобіля, повертаючи праворуч, дати дорогу пішоходам?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safety at regulated intersections and the interaction between drivers and pedestrians during maneuvers. In real conditions, turns at intersections most often create conflict points, so the theoretical exam includes situations where it is necessary to correctly determine who is permitted to move and who has the right of way.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic controller signals and passing through regulated intersections (points 8.3 and 8.8 a), as well as the practical application of the requirement to “give way” when turning. When both a traffic light and a traffic controller are present at an intersection, the controller’s signals take priority. With the appropriate gesture from the controller, non-rail vehicles are allowed to move straight and to the right, and at the same time, pedestrians are allowed to cross in front of the controller’s chest or behind their back. Therefore, a driver turning right crosses the path of pedestrians and must ensure their unobstructed passage, without forcing them to change speed or direction.
In the “must” option, the logic corresponds to the traffic rules: permission to turn does not cancel the obligation to yield to pedestrians who are allowed to cross in the same direction. The “must not” option is a typical mistake on the theoretical exam, when “allowed to drive” is confused with “can drive without priority restrictions” and it is not taken into account that pedestrians also have a legal permit to move with this signal.
Clause 8.3
The signals of the traffic controller take precedence over traffic light signals and road sign requirements and are mandatory for compliance. Traffic light signals, except for the flashing yellow, take precedence over priority road signs. Drivers and pedestrians must follow additional instructions from the traffic controller, even if they contradict traffic light signals, road sign requirements, or road markings.
Application: at an intersection where both traffic lights and a traffic controller are operating simultaneously, all road users must primarily follow the signals of the traffic controller.
Clause 8.8 a)
The signals of the traffic controller are the position of his body, as well as hand gestures, including with a baton or a disc with a red reflector, which have 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 controller; • from the chest and back sides — movement of all vehicles and pedestrians is prohibited.
Application: with this signal, the driver of the blue car is allowed to turn right, and at the same time, pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway in front of (or behind) the controller.
Clause 16.2
When turning right or left, the driver must yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway onto which he is turning, as well as to cyclists moving straight in the same direction.
Application: when making a right turn, the driver crosses the path of pedestrians on the roadway onto which he is turning, so he is obliged to give them the right of way.
Clause 1.10 (the term "Yield (do not obstruct)")
Yield (do not obstruct) — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, not to make any maneuvers if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change direction or speed.
Application: "yield to pedestrians" means not to make the turn/not to continue the maneuver in such a way that pedestrians who are allowed to cross would be forced to change speed or direction or stop.
That is, the correct answer is "Must.", given that according to the controller's signal, pedestrians are allowed to cross, and when turning, the driver is obliged to yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway onto which he is turning.
At this intersection, traffic is regulated: the traffic light is operating and there is also a traffic controller present. In such a situation, according to clause 8.3 of the Traffic Rules, road users must first and foremost follow the signals of the traffic controller, even if they differ from the signals of the traffic light or the requirements of the signs.
Next, it is necessary to correctly interpret the gesture of the traffic controller. According to clause 8.8 (a) of the Traffic Rules, when the traffic controller stands with arms extended to the sides (or lowered, or the right arm bent in front of the chest), non-rail vehicles from the left and right sides are allowed to move straight and to the right. At the same time, pedestrians are allowed to cross the roadway in front of the chest and behind the back of the traffic controller.
Thus, the driver of the blue car is permitted to turn right, but at the same moment pedestrians are also allowed to cross the roadway in a direction that intersects the turning path. While turning right, the car actually "enters" the area where pedestrians are walking, so the driver is obliged not to create obstacles for them and to yield in order to complete the maneuver safely.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Must.", since according to the traffic controller's signal, pedestrians are allowed to cross at this location, and the driver, when turning right, crosses their path and must yield to them.