19.16. Which external lighting devices must be obligatorily switched on when driving a towed vehicle at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility?
UAЯкі зовнішні світлові пристрої повинні бути обов'язково ввімкнені під час руху на транспортному засобі, що буксирується, у темний час доби і в умовах недостатньої видимості?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge about safety during towing and the correct use of external lighting devices at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility. In such conditions, it is critically important that other drivers can clearly see not only the fact of a “special driving mode,” but also the actual dimensions of the towed vehicle, since it may move less predictably and with a variable distance to the towing vehicle.
In terms of content, this question belongs to the section of the traffic rules regarding the use of external lighting devices (item 19.1, in particular subparagraph “v” regarding trailers and towed vehicles) and to the section on warning signals (item 9.9 regarding hazard warning lights). In the theoretical exam, it is important to distinguish: for a towed vehicle at night/in poor visibility, side marker lights are mandatory to indicate its dimensions, and at the same time, the hazard warning lights are a mandatory sign of towing regardless of the time of day.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the logic of the traffic rules requirements: the combination of “side marker lights and hazard warning lights” fully covers both norms (19.1(c) and 9.9(d)), and is therefore correct. The option with the rear fog light is not mandatory specifically for the towed vehicle in this situation and may create unnecessary discomfort for drivers behind, while the answer mentioning only the “hazard lights” is incomplete, as it does not take into account the mandatory marking of dimensions at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility.
Clause 19.1 (subclause "v")
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: … v) on trailers and towed vehicles — side marker lights. Note. In conditions of insufficient visibility, it is allowed to switch on fog lights instead of low (high) beam headlights on motor vehicles.
(Application to the question: for a towed vehicle, side marker lights are mandatory at night/in conditions of insufficient visibility.)
Clause 9.9 (subclause "h")
The hazard warning lights must be switched on: … h) on a towed motor vehicle.
(Application to the question: regardless of the time of day, the hazard warning lights must be switched on on a towed motor vehicle.)
That is, the correct answer is "Side marker lights and hazard warning lights," given that according to the Traffic Rules, side marker lights must be switched on on a towed vehicle at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility (clause 19.1(c)), and hazard warning lights must also be switched on (clause 9.9(d)).
When a vehicle is being towed, it appears “atypical” to other road users: it does not move independently, may change speed and trajectory less predictably, and the distance between it and the towing vehicle is not always obvious. At night or in conditions of poor visibility, it must be clearly marked so that drivers behind and to the side understand its dimensions and the very fact that it is being towed.
The Traffic Rules require that at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, trailers and towed vehicles must have their position lights turned on (clause 19.1 c). The logic is simple: others need to see the size of the towed vehicle, even if its main headlights do not work or it is not appropriate to turn them on while towing.
Separately, the Rules state that the hazard warning lights must always be switched on on a towed motor vehicle, regardless of the time of day (clause 9.9). This is an additional signal to everyone around: the vehicle is moving in a special mode and should be treated with extra caution.
At the same time, turning on the low or high beam headlights on the towed vehicle is not a requirement in this situation: the task of the towed vehicle at night is not to “illuminate the road,” but to be visible and show its dimensions, without causing unnecessary glare for the driver of the towing vehicle.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Position lights and hazard warning lights," since a towed vehicle at night or in poor visibility must be marked with position lights (19.1 c) and must always move with the hazard warning lights on as an indication of towing (9.9).