After graduating from driver training courses and obtaining a driver's license, most people remember one thing about trams: this vehicle always has an advantage. However, this is far from the case, and in the rules of the road there are many points confirming this.
Who is in charge?
First, there are different vehicles involved in road traffic. There are situations that practically do not occur, but, nevertheless, are regulated by the rules. Thus, a tram must give way to a train going along the railway tracks and even a railcar. It is inferior to the tram and special vehicles with included beacons and a siren. The pedestrian at the crossing also has the advantage. In addition, although trams run on rails, they, like roads, can intersect. Therefore, there are rules governing the passage of two trams at an intersection.
For drivers of cars, trucks and motorcycles, these nuances do not apply. Most, being law-abiding, are used to simply giving in to trams in all cases. The simplest of the traffic rules, which contradicts this generally accepted opinion, says: if a tram leaves the depot, then cars should not yield to it. Everything is simple here: the depot is a secondary road for the tram, leaving the depot, it leaves the adjacent territory, and the main road for all traffic participants is called so because it is more important.
If the tram is at an intersection
The situation is more complicated with standard intersections marked with road signs “main road” and “give way”. For vehicles participating in road traffic, everything is clear: drivers who stop in front of a triangle in a red frame let those who drive on a road with a yellow diamond pass through. This is evidenced by paragraph traffic rules 13.9. Surprisingly, this clause also applies to trams! It was abolished in 2003, so drivers are accustomed to the fact that the tram has an advantage on the road over trackless vehicles. But from October 2017, it came into effect again.
There is a nuance that determines the passage of a tram at a traffic light. If at the intersection the car goes to green, and for the tram only the green arrow in the additional section with the main red or yellow signal is lit, then the tram must give way to other road users. This is regulated by clause 13.6.
Of course, it is difficult to remember all these subtleties. But the everyday rule should always be adhered to: if you are not sure of something, it is better to act on the basis of the conditions of greatest safety. By the way, do not forget that the tram driver is also a person who may mistakenly believe that the tram is always right and will not give way to the background. But downloading your rights or taking care of your car and, most importantly, life is everyone's personal business.
