19.27. At night, when you are approaching an oncoming vehicle, will you switch on the high beam headlights so that your vehicle is better visible?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety at night and the correct use of external lighting devices. At night, headlights affect not only your visibility of the road but also the safety of other road users: improper use of high beams can cause glare for oncoming drivers, disorient them, and create a hazardous situation.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of lighting devices, specifically the requirements of clause 19.2. According to this clause, high beams must be switched to low beams in advance at least 250 meters before meeting an oncoming vehicle, as well as in any situation where they may dazzle other drivers (including those traveling in the same direction). Thus, the logic of the Traffic Rules is unambiguous: when approaching an oncoming vehicle, high beams are not used "for better visibility of your car"; on the contrary, passing should be done with low beams.
If you choose the option that allows switching on high beams when approaching an oncoming vehicle, this contradicts the traffic rules and directly increases the risk of glare. The correct approach, which the theoretical exam checks, is to keep the low beams on (or switch to them in advance), and if signaled by the oncoming driver, switch immediately, as this indicates that your lights are causing discomfort.
Clause 19.2
High beam headlights must be switched to low beam at least 250 meters before meeting an oncoming vehicle, as well as when it may dazzle other drivers, including those moving in the same direction.
Explanation of application: when approaching an oncoming vehicle, it is not allowed to turn on (or leave on) the high beam, as it may dazzle the other driver; passing oncoming vehicles should be done with low beam headlights (switching — in advance, at least 250 meters before).
That is, the correct answer is "No.", given that according to the Traffic Rules, high beams must be switched to low beams in advance (at least 250 meters before) when approaching an oncoming vehicle, and dazzling other drivers must not be allowed.
At night, high beam headlights do indeed illuminate the road ahead better and give the driver more time to react. However, their purpose is not to “make your car more visible” to oncoming drivers, but to improve visibility in the direction of your own movement, provided it does not disturb others.
When you approach an oncoming vehicle, high beams become dangerous: they can blind the driver coming toward you. Being blinded means that a person temporarily sees the road, markings, shoulder, or pedestrians worse, and this creates a real risk of mistakes and accidents.
This is why clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules requires the driver to switch from high to low beams at least 250 meters before meeting an oncoming vehicle, as well as in any situation where high beams could dazzle other drivers. That is, when approaching an oncoming vehicle, you must not deliberately switch on high beams; on the contrary, you must ensure you pass each other using low beams.
For example, if you see the headlights of an oncoming car ahead, the correct action is to switch to low beams in advance and continue driving so as not to disturb the other driver. If the oncoming driver signals by flashing their headlights, this is an additional sign that your lights may be blinding them, and you should immediately switch to low beams.
Therefore, the correct answer is "No," since when approaching an oncoming vehicle, high beams can dazzle the driver, and according to clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules, they must be switched to low beams in advance (at least 250 meters away).