14.50. When overtaking other vehicles at night, is it necessary to switch on the hazard warning lights?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of maneuvering and the correct use of warning signals at night. It is important for the theoretical exam because improper use of light signals during overtaking can mislead other drivers, create dangerous situations, and increase the risk of accidents.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding warning signals, primarily clause 9.9 (cases when the hazard warning lights must be switched on) and clause 9.2 (using turn indicators). According to the Traffic Rules, hazard warning lights are used only in clearly defined situations: forced stop, accident, towing, stopping at the request of a police officer, technical malfunctions, etc. Overtaking is not included in this list regardless of the time of day, so the statement that they should be switched on during overtaking at night is incorrect. To indicate the intention to perform a maneuver, turn indicators are used: the left one before moving into another lane and the right one after returning.
The practical meaning of this rule is that at night, the safety of overtaking is ensured not by the hazard warning lights, but by proper signaling of the maneuver and correct use of headlights. According to the section of the Traffic Rules on the use of external lighting devices (clauses 19.1 and 19.2), you must drive with dipped or main beam headlights on and switch from main beam in a timely manner so as not to dazzle oncoming and passing vehicles. This is exactly the approach expected in the exam: hazard warning lights do not replace turn indicators and are not an 'overtaking signal.'
Clause 9.9
The hazard warning lights must be switched on: a) in case of a forced stop on the road; b) when stopping at the request of a police officer or as a result of being dazzled by headlights; c) in the event of a traffic accident; d) during towing (on the towed vehicle); e) when boarding (disembarking) children by a vehicle marked with the “Children” identification sign; f) when a motor vehicle is moving with technical malfunctions, if such movement is not prohibited by these Rules.
This clause provides an exhaustive list of cases when the hazard warning lights are used as a warning signal; overtaking (regardless of the time of day) is not included in this list.
Clause 9.2
Turn signals must be given by the direction indicators of the corresponding direction, and in their absence or malfunction — by hand. The signal must be given in advance before starting the maneuver and stopped immediately after its completion.
During overtaking as a maneuver, the driver is required to use turn indicators (not the hazard warning lights) to warn other road users.
Clause 19.1
At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of road lighting, vehicles in motion must have their dipped or main beam headlights switched on.
This clause emphasizes that at night, the safety of maneuvers is ensured, in particular, by the correct use of lighting devices, not by the hazard warning lights.
Clause 19.2
The main beam headlights must be switched to dipped beam at least 150 m before an oncoming vehicle, and also at a greater distance if the driver of the oncoming vehicle signals by flashing headlights. The main beam must also be switched to dipped beam when the driver of a vehicle ahead may be dazzled.
During overtaking at night, this rule is critical to prevent dazzling other drivers.
Therefore, the correct answer is "No.", given that according to the Traffic Rules, the hazard warning lights are only to be used in the cases expressly listed in clause 9.9, and overtaking (regardless of the time of day) is not among them, while warning about a maneuver is done with turn indicators and correct use of headlights.
When overtaking, the driver must warn other road users in advance about their intention to change lanes or enter the oncoming lane. For this purpose, the Rules provide for the use of turn indicators, not the hazard warning lights. That is, the main “overtaking signal” for other drivers is the left turn indicator before pulling out and the right one after returning to your lane.
According to clause 9.9, the hazard warning lights are used only in clearly defined cases as a warning signal: when it is necessary to draw attention to a danger or an unusual situation (for example, a forced stop, an accident, towing, and other situations specified by the Rules). Overtaking is not included in this list, so turning on the hazard lights just because you are overtaking is neither required nor provided for by the Traffic Rules.
The time of day does not affect this: at night, the requirements regarding signals remain the same. When overtaking at night, it is important to use your headlights correctly to ensure visibility and not blind other drivers, but this is not a reason to turn on the hazard warning lights.
Therefore, the correct answer is "No," because clause 9.9 does not provide for the use of hazard warning lights during overtaking, and the intention to overtake is indicated by turn indicators regardless of the time of day.