8.1.60. Is the driver of the car allowed to turn left at this intersection when the green traffic light is on?
UAЧи дозволено водієві автомобіля поворот ліворуч на даному перехресті в разі ввімкнення зеленого сигналу світлофора?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of passing through regulated intersections and the correct interpretation of traffic light signals. In real-life situations, mistakes in understanding “directional” traffic lights and arrows on their sections often lead to conflict situations, dangerous maneuvers, and violations; therefore, this topic regularly appears on the theoretical exam.
The question checks the section of the traffic rules about traffic light signals, specifically clause 8.7.3 (j) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. Black contour arrows on the red and yellow signals do not provide a separate permission to move and do not change the meaning of prohibitive signals; they only indicate in which directions it will be allowed to go when the green light turns on. If the contour arrows indicate only “straight” and “right,” then even with a green signal, only these directions remain permitted, and turning left or making a U-turn at this traffic light is not allowed.
That is why the statement about the possibility of performing the maneuver solely because the green light is on is incorrect: the green does not cancel the directional restrictions set by the contour arrows. Correct understanding of this rule helps to confidently answer exam questions, and on the road — not to make a prohibited left turn, not to create obstacles for oncoming traffic, and to avoid dangerous situations at intersections.
Clause 8.7.3 (j) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
“Black contour arrows on the red and yellow signals of a traffic light do not change the meaning of these signals and inform about the permitted directions of movement when the green signal is on.”
Application: if black contour arrows indicating only “straight” and “right” are applied to the red/yellow signals, then when the green signal is on, movement is allowed only in these directions; turning left (and making a U-turn) is not allowed.
Clause 8.7.3 (e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
“The red signal, including the flashing one, or two flashing red signals prohibit movement.”
Application: regardless of the presence of black contour arrows on the red signal, this signal remains prohibitive; the arrows only indicate which directions will be permitted specifically on green.
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, black contour arrows on traffic light signals inform about the permitted directions of movement when the green signal is on, and if the arrows do not provide for left movement, then turning left on the green signal is prohibited.
At this intersection, a traffic light is installed, with black outline arrows depicted on its red and yellow signals. It is important to understand that these arrows are not a “separate permission” to proceed and do not change the meaning of the prohibitive signals.
According to clause 8.7.3 (g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, black outline arrows on the red and yellow signals only inform the driver about the directions in which movement will be allowed when the green signal is activated. That is, they indicate not where you can go now, but which directions will be permitted specifically with the green light.
In this situation, the outline arrows indicate the directions straight ahead and to the right. Therefore, when the green light comes on, movement will be allowed only straight ahead or to the right. The left turn is not among the directions indicated by the arrows, so turning left at the green signal at this traffic light is not provided for and is prohibited.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the black outline arrows determine the permitted directions of movement at the green signal, and a left turn is not among them.