19.28. Is it recommended to switch on the high beam headlights when approaching oncoming vehicles?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during nighttime and in conditions of insufficient visibility, when proper use of headlights directly affects the risk of traffic accidents. High beam improves road visibility, but at the same time is one of the main factors of glare, due to which an oncoming driver may lose orientation and fail to react to danger in time.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of external lighting devices, specifically the requirements of clause 19.2. According to this clause, high beam must be switched to low beam in advance, at least 250 meters before an oncoming vehicle, as well as in any situation where it may dazzle other drivers, including those moving ahead in the same direction. That is, when approaching oncoming traffic, the logic of the rules is the opposite of the “recommendation to turn on high beam”—it must be switched off in favor of low beam.
The option stating that high beam should be turned on when approaching oncoming vehicles contains an error: such an action increases the likelihood of glare and contradicts the requirements of 19.2. Instead, the correct choice is the one that rejects such a “recommendation,” since for the theoretical exam it is important to remember the practical rule: upon seeing oncoming headlights, you should not intensify the light, but switch to low beam in time (and no later than 250 m), to ensure a safe passing maneuver.
Clause 19.2
The high beam headlights must be switched to low beam at least 250 m before approaching an oncoming vehicle, as well as in cases where the high beam may dazzle other drivers, including those moving in the same direction.
Explanation of application: when approaching an oncoming vehicle, it is not "recommended to turn on" the high beam; on the contrary, it must be switched to low beam in advance (at least 250 m before) so as not to dazzle the other driver.
That is, the correct answer is "No.", given that according to the Traffic Rules, when approaching an oncoming vehicle, the high beam must be switched to low beam at least 250 m in advance and in any case must not dazzle other drivers.
At night or in conditions of insufficient visibility, high beam headlights do indeed help you see the road better. However, their main drawback is that they easily dazzle other road users, especially drivers of oncoming vehicles. Therefore, the Rules do not consider high beams as something that is "recommended" when approaching oncoming traffic.
According to clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules, if you are driving with your high beams on and are approaching an oncoming vehicle, you are required to switch to low beams in advance. The minimum distance for such switching is set at no less than 250 meters from the oncoming car. Switching is also required at any moment when there is a risk of dazzling other drivers, including those driving ahead of you in the same direction.
Imagine a situation: on a country road, you see the headlights of an oncoming car in the distance. The correct action is not to "turn on the high beams to see better," but rather to switch to low beams in time, as soon as the approach becomes such that the high beams could interfere with the other driver (and in any case, no later than 250 meters away). This is done for safe passing, so as not to cause temporary loss of vision due to glare.
Therefore, the correct answer is "No," because when approaching oncoming vehicles, high beams are not recommended, and according to clause 19.2, you must switch to low beams (no less than 250 m in advance) to avoid dazzling other drivers.