19.15. When driving in conditions of insufficient visibility, the following external lighting devices must be switched on on a moving motor vehicle:
UAПід час руху в умовах недостатньої видимості на механічному транспортному засобі, що рухається, повинні бути ввімкнені такі зовнішні світлові пристрої:
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about driving safety in challenging weather and lighting conditions, when the driver must be clearly visible to others and at the same time have sufficient visibility of the road. Proper use of external lighting devices reduces the risk of collisions in fog, rain, snowfall, and twilight, when mistakes in lighting most often lead to traffic accidents.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of lighting devices (points 19.1 and 19.5), as well as understanding of the term "insufficient visibility" from point 1.10. According to point 19.1, when driving a motor vehicle in conditions of insufficient visibility, low beam or high beam headlights must be turned on (the choice depends on the situation, so as not to dazzle others). At the same time, the note to point 19.1 and point 19.5 allow the use of fog lights in such conditions either separately or together with low or high beam headlights, so this approach is the correct one for the theoretical exam.
If we compare the options, the answer mentioning only low beam headlights is incomplete, because the rules also allow high beam (if there is no dazzling) and permit the use of fog lights. The option with only fog lights also does not fully reflect the rule, since the basic requirement of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is formulated through low (high) beam headlights, and fog lights serve as a permitted alternative or addition in conditions of insufficient visibility. The answer about position lights is incorrect for driving a motor vehicle in such conditions: position lights only indicate the vehicle, but do not replace the main headlights; they are mandatory for trailers and towed vehicles according to point 19.1, but are not sufficient for a moving car.
Clause 1.10 (term "Insufficient visibility")
Insufficient visibility — road visibility of less than 300 m at dusk, in conditions of fog, rain, snowfall, etc.
Clause 19.1
At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of the degree of road illumination, as well as in tunnels, the following lighting devices must be switched on on a moving vehicle: a) on all motor vehicles — dipped (main) beam headlights; b) on mopeds (bicycles) and horse-drawn carts (sledges) — headlights or lanterns; c) on trailers and towed vehicles — side marker lights.
Note. In conditions of insufficient visibility, it is allowed to switch on fog lights instead of dipped (main) beam headlights on motor vehicles.
Clause 19.5
Fog lights may be used in conditions of insufficient visibility either separately or together with dipped or main beam headlights, and at night on unlit sections of roads — only together with dipped or main beam headlights.
That is, the correct answer is "Dipped (main) beam headlights. It is allowed to switch on fog lights either separately or together with dipped or main beam headlights," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, in conditions of insufficient visibility, dipped (main) beam headlights must be switched on on a motor vehicle (clause 19.1), and fog lights are allowed to be used in such conditions either separately or together with dipped/main beam headlights (clause 19.5, as well as the note to clause 19.1).
When you are driving in conditions of insufficient visibility (for example, in fog, heavy rain, or snowfall), the main purpose of your vehicle’s lighting is to make you visible to others while also ensuring you have adequate visibility of the road. That is why the Traffic Rules specify which lighting devices must be turned on while driving.
According to paragraph 19.1 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, mechanical vehicles must have their low beam or high beam headlights turned on while driving at night or in conditions of insufficient visibility. In other words, the basic and mandatory requirement for a moving vehicle is to have the main headlights on (low or high beam, depending on the road situation and to avoid dazzling others).
At the same time, the rules allow the driver to use fog lights. From the content of paragraphs 19.1 (note) and 19.5, it follows that in conditions of insufficient visibility, fog lights are permitted to be used either separately or together with the low or high beam headlights. In practice, this means: if visibility suddenly worsens due to fog, you can drive with your low beams on and additionally turn on the fog lights; or, if permitted by the conditions and the vehicle’s design, you may use the fog lights as the main lights in such conditions.
It is important to understand the difference between parking lights and low beam headlights: parking lights only mark the vehicle’s presence, but do not replace the requirement of paragraph 19.1 regarding low (or high) beam headlights while driving in conditions of insufficient visibility. Fog lights are an additional means and, according to the rules, may be an alternative or supplement to the main headlights specifically in situations of insufficient visibility.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Low (high) beam headlights. It is permitted to turn on fog lights either separately or together with the low or high beam headlights," because paragraph 19.1 requires turning on the low (or high) beam headlights while driving in conditions of insufficient visibility, and the rules also allow the use of fog lights either separately or together with the main headlights in such conditions.