8.1.62. How should you make a left turn in this situation?
UAЯк Вам виконати поворот ліворуч у даній ситуації?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe passage of regulated intersections and the correct interpretation of traffic light signals with an additional section. In practice, such situations often cause violations: drivers mistakenly perceive the main green signal as permission for any maneuver, although directions of movement may be limited by arrows and separately regulated by the additional section. Understanding these rules directly affects safety, as an incorrect left turn creates a conflict with oncoming traffic.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding traffic light signals, in particular the provisions of points 8.7.2 and 8.7.3, with the key one being 8.7.3 c): a switched-off signal of the additional section prohibits movement in the direction indicated by its arrow. The ability to comply with the stop line requirement (marking 1.12) is also tested: if the desired direction of movement is prohibited by the traffic light signal, the driver must stop exactly before the stop line and wait for the permissive signal to turn left.
The analysis of options in this theoretical exam boils down to a simple rule: "yielding to oncoming traffic" is not enough if the left turn itself is currently prohibited by the switched-off additional section. Therefore, the option of performing the maneuver without stopping is incorrect: it ignores the prohibition of movement in the "left" direction. Instead, the correct algorithm is to stop before the stop line and wait until the green arrow in the additional section lights up, after which the maneuver becomes permitted within the traffic rules.
Clause 8.7.2
"Traffic lights with vertically arranged signals may have one or two additional sections with signals in the form of a green arrow (arrows), located at the level of the green signal."
This clause checks the understanding that a left turn may be regulated by a separate additional section of the traffic light (green arrow).
Clause 8.7.3 b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
"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 the 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 prohibited by road signs. A signal in the form of a green arrow (arrows) in the additional section(s), activated together with the green signal of the traffic light, informs the driver that they have the right of way in the direction(s) indicated by the arrow(s) over vehicles moving from other directions."
In this situation, the main green signal with arrows on a black background allows movement only in the directions shown on it (not "left" if the left direction is allocated to an additional section).
Clause 8.7.3 g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
"A black outline arrow (arrows) applied to the main green signal informs drivers about the presence of an additional section of the traffic light and indicates other permitted directions of movement than the signal of the additional section."
This subclause checks that outline arrows on the main green signal warn about the presence of an additional section, which separately regulates (in particular) the left turn.
Clause 8.7.3 e) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
"A red signal, including a flashing one, or two flashing red signals prohibit movement. A signal in the form of a green arrow (arrows) in the additional section(s) together with a yellow or red signal of the traffic light informs the driver that movement is allowed in the indicated direction provided that vehicles moving from other directions are given way."
This clause is needed to understand the general principle: movement in the direction of the additional section is allowed only when it shows the corresponding signal (green arrow), taking into account the conditions specified in the Traffic Rules.
Clause 8.7.3 z) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
"A switched-off signal of the additional section prohibits movement in the direction indicated by its arrow (arrows)."
This is the key point of the question: if the additional section "left" is switched off — turning left (and making a U-turn in this direction) is prohibited until it is switched on.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.12 (stop line)
"Marking 1.12 (stop line) indicates the place where the driver must stop in the presence of sign 2.2 'No entry without stopping' or at a prohibitive traffic light or regulator signal."
This clause checks that when movement in the required direction is prohibited (left — due to the switched-off additional section), the driver must stop exactly before the stop line.
That is, the correct answer is "Stop before the stop line and turn when the additional section is activated," given that by definition of the Traffic Rules, a switched-off signal of the additional section prohibits movement in the direction of its arrow, and the stop line determines the place of mandatory stop at a prohibitive signal.
In this situation, you have approached a signal-controlled intersection where the directions of movement are determined by the traffic light signals, including an additional section with an arrow.
The main green signal has arrows indicating that movement is allowed only in the specified directions (straight and right). At the same time, the arrow in the additional section, which corresponds to the left turn, is currently off. According to clause 8.7.3 (c) of the Traffic Rules, an unlit signal in the additional section means that movement in the direction it indicates is prohibited. That is, you cannot turn left at this moment, even if the main signal is green.
Since there is a stop line marked before the traffic light, when movement in your desired direction is prohibited, you are required to stop exactly before it and wait for the permissive signal. You may proceed to turn left only when the green arrow in the additional section lights up, which directly allows this maneuver.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Stop before the stop line and turn when the additional section is activated," because an unlit additional section prohibits a left turn, so you must stop before the stop line and wait for the permissive green arrow.