19.18. Which external devices must the driver of a motor vehicle necessarily switch on when entering a tunnel?
UAЯкі зовнішні пристрої повинен обов'язково ввімкнути водій механічного транспортного засобу при в'їзді в тунель?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in conditions of limited visibility and the correct use of external lighting devices. A tunnel is a section of road with specific conditions: a sharp change in lighting, a short time for the eyes to adapt, and an increased risk of not noticing another vehicle in time. That is why the traffic rules separately establish mandatory lighting requirements when driving in tunnels, which is often checked in the theoretical exam.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules that regulates the use of external lighting devices (in particular, clause 19.1 a)). The rule requires that in tunnels, mechanical vehicles must have their low or high beam headlights turned on while driving, regardless of whether the tunnel has artificial lighting. This means the driver must ensure both their own visibility of the road and the visibility of the vehicle to other road users.
When comparing the answer options, parking lights are not suitable because they are mainly intended to indicate the presence of a vehicle, not to fully illuminate the roadway. Fog lights are also not mandatory specifically for tunnels and are used in fog or other situations of poor visibility, not as a basic requirement. The most correct answer is the use of the main headlights, with both low and high beam allowed, but taking into account the switching rules so as not to dazzle other drivers (clause 19.2). In practice, drivers usually choose low beam as a universal and safe solution in a tunnel.
Clause 19.1 a)
At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of the degree of road lighting, as well as in tunnels, the following lighting devices must be switched on on a moving vehicle: a) on all motor vehicles — dipped beam (main beam) headlights.
This clause directly establishes the obligation to switch on the dipped or main beam headlights in a tunnel (regardless of lighting) on a moving motor vehicle.
Clause 9.8 f)
While driving motor vehicles during daylight hours, daytime running lights must be switched on, and if they are absent — dipped beam headlights: f) in tunnels.
This clause additionally emphasizes the requirement to switch on the dipped beam headlights in tunnels during daylight hours (if daytime running lights are absent).
Clause 19.2
The main beam must be switched to dipped beam no less than 250 m before an oncoming vehicle, as well as when it may dazzle other drivers, including those traveling in the same direction. The lights must also be switched at a greater distance if the driver of an oncoming vehicle indicates the need by periodically flashing their headlights.
This clause is important in the context of the answer if the driver chooses the main beam in a tunnel: it must not dazzle other road users.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Dipped or main beam headlights," considering that according to the traffic rules, in tunnels, dipped (main beam) headlights must be switched on on a moving motor vehicle (clause 19.1 a)).
When approaching a tunnel, the driver should remember that this is a section of the road with specific visibility conditions. Even during the day, when entering a darker space from bright lighting, your eyes need time to adapt, and other road users need to notice your vehicle in advance.
This is why the Traffic Rules (PDR) highlight tunnels separately. In clause 19.1 (a), it is stated that in tunnels, while driving mechanical vehicles, the dipped or main beam headlights must be turned on. That is, the driver cannot choose "parking lights" or daytime running lights as a substitute — the main headlights must be on so that the road is illuminated and the vehicle is clearly visible.
In practice, this means: before entering the tunnel, you turn on the dipped headlights and continue driving in the tunnel with them on. The main beam is also allowed, but only if it does not interfere with others (for example, if there are no oncoming vehicles and there is no risk of dazzling).
Therefore, the correct answer is "Dipped or main beam headlights," since according to clause 19.1 (a) of the Traffic Rules, in tunnels, while driving a mechanical vehicle, the dipped or main beam headlights must be turned on.