19.7. How is it permitted to use fog lights in conditions of insufficient visibility?
UAЯк дозволено використовувати протитуманні фари в умовах недостатньої видимості?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the rules for using external lighting devices and their impact on road safety. In fog, rain, snowfall, or twilight, it is important for the driver not only to see the road better but also to be visible to other road users, without creating unnecessary glare or reflections that could worsen visibility.
In terms of content, this question belongs to the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of lighting devices, specifically the requirements of clause 19.5, and also relies on the definition of "insufficient visibility" from clause 1.10 (road visibility in the direction of travel less than 300 m). In the theoretical exam, it is checked whether the candidate understands that fog lights in such conditions can be used flexibly: both as independent lighting and as a supplement to low or high beam, depending on the actual situation.
The analysis of the options comes down to the fact that the statement "only together with low or high beam" is incomplete, because the rule also allows separate use of fog lights precisely in conditions of insufficient visibility. On the other hand, the option "only separately from low beam" is also incorrect, as the Traffic Rules directly allow combining fog lights with low or high beam when it is necessary to enhance lighting. An important practical clarification from clause 19.5: at night on unlit sections of the road, fog lights do not replace the main lights, but are used only together with low or high beam, which helps to avoid mistakes in real road situations.
Clause 19.5
Fog lights may be used in conditions of insufficient visibility either separately or together with low or high beam headlights, and at night on unlit sections of roads — only together with low or high beam headlights.
Brief application: this clause directly states that in conditions of insufficient visibility, fog lights are allowed to be switched on both independently and together with low or high beam headlights.
Clause 1.10 (the term “Insufficient visibility”)
Insufficient visibility — road visibility in the direction of travel of less than 300 m in twilight, fog, rain, snowfall, etc.
Brief application: this term clarifies which conditions are considered “insufficient visibility,” for which the rule of clause 19.5 regarding fog lights applies.
Therefore, the correct answer is: “Either separately or together with low or high beam headlights,” given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, in conditions of insufficient visibility (clause 1.10), fog lights are allowed to be used both independently and together with low or high beam headlights (clause 19.5).
When there is reduced visibility on the road (that is, you can see the road ahead for less than approximately 300 meters due to fog, rain, snowfall, twilight, etc.), the main purpose of lighting is to make the vehicle visible and to better illuminate the road without causing unnecessary glare or reflections.
Clause 19.5 of the Traffic Rules allows the use of fog lights in such conditions in two ways. The first is to turn them on separately, without the low or high beam headlights. For example, during the daytime in dense fog, a driver may drive with the fog lights on, without adding low or high beams, if this is sufficient for safe driving.
The second option is to turn on the fog lights together with the low or high beam headlights. This is done when it is necessary to enhance road illumination: for example, during heavy rain at dusk or at night in fog, when only fog lights are not enough for confident control of the situation ahead.
It is important to understand that at night on unlit sections of the road, fog lights should not replace the main headlights—they are only allowed as a supplement to the low or high beams. However, this question concerns the general rule for conditions of reduced visibility, and it directly allows both methods of use.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Both separately and together with the low or high beam headlights," since clause 19.5 of the Traffic Rules allows fog lights to be turned on either independently or in addition to the low or high beams in conditions of reduced visibility.