19.11. Is it permitted to connect brake lights to the rear fog lamps?
UAЧи дозволено підключати до задніх протитуманних ліхтарів сигнали гальмування?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe and correct use of external lighting devices. It tests the understanding that different lights on a vehicle have clearly defined functions: some indicate the vehicle in difficult conditions, others signal a specific action by the driver. Compliance with these requirements directly affects road safety, as drivers behind must be able to unambiguously interpret signals, especially during braking.
In terms of content, this question belongs to Section 19 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, "Use of external lighting devices," specifically to point 19.7. The regulation explicitly states that rear fog lights must not be electrically connected so that they are activated together with the brake lights. Rear fog lights are intended for conditions of poor visibility (fog, heavy rain, snowfall) and emit a more intense red light, while brake lights are meant to function as a clear, standard, and universally understood signal of deceleration or stopping.
The answer option that allows such a connection contains a typical theoretical exam mistake: mixing up the purpose of the devices. If fog lights are triggered every time the brake is pressed, this can dazzle or disorient drivers behind and distort the perception of the brake signal. That is why the correct approach under the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is as follows: rear fog lights are switched on separately when needed, and not as an enhancement of the brake signals.
Clause 19.7 (Section 19 “Use of external lighting devices”)
It is prohibited to connect rear fog lights to brake signals.
Explanation of application: the clause directly prohibits any electrical/circuit connection by which the rear fog lights are switched on together with the brake lights during braking.
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 19.7 directly establishes a prohibition on connecting rear fog lights to brake signals.
Rear fog lights have a separate purpose: they are switched on only when visibility is insufficient (fog, heavy rain, snowfall, etc.) so that the vehicle is more visible from behind. These are additional red lights of increased brightness, which do not serve as an “action signal,” but rather as a marker of the vehicle in difficult conditions.
Brake lights (stop signals) serve a different function: they are automatically activated when the brake pedal is pressed and inform drivers behind specifically about the fact of deceleration or stopping. It is important that this signal is unambiguous and equally clear in any conditions.
If rear fog lights are connected to the brake signals, then during every braking (even in clear weather), a very bright red light will come on together with the brake lights. This can dazzle or disorient drivers behind and make it difficult to correctly assess whether it is ordinary braking or the vehicle is simply driving with the fog lights on. Precisely to avoid distorting the perception of the brake signal, the Rules establish a separate procedure for switching on these devices.
Clause 19.7 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly prohibits such a connection: rear fog lights must not be connected to the brake signals; they must be switched on separately as needed, and not together with the brake lights.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since according to clause 19.7 of the Traffic Rules, rear fog lights must not be connected to the brake lights in order not to mislead or disorient drivers behind.