19.21. Which external lighting devices must be switched on on animal-drawn carts (sledges) when driving at night, regardless of the degree of road illumination?
UAЯкі зовнішні світлові пристрої повинні бути ввімкнені на гужових возах (санях) під час руху в темну пору доби незалежно від ступеня освітлення дороги?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during nighttime, when even on well-lit streets other drivers must notice slow and vulnerable vehicles in advance. Horse-drawn carts (sledges) often travel along the roadside or in the far right lane, so requirements for their visibility directly affect the prevention of collisions and dangerous overtaking at night.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of external lighting devices, specifically clause 19.1 (subclause "b") of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. It is important to remember the definition of "nighttime" (clause 1.10): from sunset to sunrise. During this period, regardless of the degree of road illumination, horse-drawn vehicles in motion must be marked with switched-on lighting devices, and clause 7.3 further clarifies the practice: a white lantern in front, a red one at the rear, both installed on the left side of the cart (sledge).
The analysis of answer options in the theoretical exam comes down to the difference between passive and active visibility. The option stating that "reflectors are sufficient" is incorrect, because reflectors only work when illuminated by another vehicle’s headlights and do not replace the mandatory use of lights on the vehicle. The correct option requires active marking of the cart with light: the Traffic Rules explicitly state that during nighttime, headlights or lanterns must be switched on so that other road users can determine the presence and direction of movement of the horse-drawn vehicle in advance.
Clause 19.1 (subclause "b")
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.
This clause directly establishes the requirement for horse-drawn carts (sledges) at night: headlights or lanterns must be switched on — regardless of road illumination.
Clause 1.10 (term "Night time")
Night time — the part of the day from sunset to sunrise.
This definition clarifies exactly when the requirement of clause 19.1 regarding the switching on of lighting devices applies.
Clause 7.3
For movement at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, lanterns must be switched on on horse-drawn vehicles: white in front, red at the rear, installed on the left side of the cart (sledge).
This clause specifies the requirements for lanterns on horse-drawn vehicles (color and placement), which is consistent with the requirement of clause 19.1(b).
That is, the correct answer is "Headlights or lanterns," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, at night (from sunset to sunrise), headlights or lanterns must be switched on on horse-drawn carts (sledges) while moving, regardless of the degree of road illumination.
When answering this question, it is important to first correctly determine when the lighting requirement applies. According to the Traffic Rules, nighttime is the period from sunset to sunrise. That is, as soon as the sun has set, the requirements for external lighting devices begin to apply regardless of whether there are street lights on the road.
Next, we refer to clause 19.1 (b) of the Traffic Rules. It explicitly states: at night, as well as in other cases of insufficient visibility, mopeds, bicycles, and horse-drawn carts (sledges) must have their headlights or lanterns turned on while moving. The key phrase here is “regardless of the degree of road illumination”: even on a lit street, a cart or sledge must be marked with its own lighting devices so that other drivers can notice them in advance on the roadway.
To understand how this looks in practice specifically for horse-drawn vehicles, it is useful to recall clause 7.3 of the Traffic Rules. It clarifies that at night, a cart (sledge) must have lanterns: white in the front, red in the rear, installed on the left side. This is done so that other road users can correctly determine both the presence of the cart and its direction of movement.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Headlights or lanterns," since according to clause 19.1 (b) of the Traffic Rules, at night a horse-drawn cart (sledge) must be marked with external lighting devices turned on, regardless of the road illumination.