35.108. How should the driver of a vehicle act in case of sun glare?
UAЯк має діяти водій транспортного засобу у разі сонячного засліплення?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns driving safety in conditions of sudden reduced visibility, when the driver is temporarily unable to adequately monitor the road situation. Sun glare is dangerous because reference points such as road markings, the edge of the carriageway, pedestrians, and obstacles "disappear," and any abrupt steering or ill-considered maneuver can lead to entering the oncoming lane or leaving the road.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of external lighting devices and the driver's actions in case of glare (paragraph 19.3). In the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the algorithm: first, reduce speed to a safe level according to actual visibility, and if glare occurs, stop without changing lanes and warn others by turning on the hazard warning lights. Movement is allowed to resume only after the negative effects of glare have passed.
The explanation of the answer options comes down to a key nuance: during glare, you must not attempt to "move sideways," as the driver cannot clearly see where the shoulder is or where the lane boundary is, risking driving into a ditch or into oncoming traffic. Therefore, the correct action in this situation is to indicate the danger with hazard lights, smoothly reduce speed, and stop in your own lane. On the other hand, the requirement to use the horn is not provided for in paragraph 19.3 and does not improve control or visibility, and stopping "on the shoulder" involves a maneuver that can be most dangerous during glare.
Clause 19.3
In case of reduced visibility in the direction of travel caused by the headlights of oncoming vehicles, the driver must reduce speed to a level that does not exceed what is safe for the actual visibility conditions of the road in the direction of travel, and in case of being dazzled — stop without changing lanes and turn on the hazard warning lights. Resuming movement is allowed only after the negative effects of dazzling have passed.
Application: although the clause specifically mentions dazzling by headlights, the exam question checks knowledge of the algorithm of actions in case of dazzling in general (including by sunlight): reduce speed to a safe level according to actual visibility, in case of dazzling — stop without changing lanes and turn on the hazard warning lights; continue driving only after normal visibility is restored.
That is, the correct answer is "Turn on the hazard warning lights and, without changing lanes, reduce speed and stop," given that by definition, Clause 19.3 of the Traffic Rules directly obliges in case of dazzling: do not change lanes, turn on the hazard warning lights, and stop, and resume movement only after the negative effects of dazzling have disappeared.
Solar glare means that the driver temporarily loses the ability to properly assess the road situation ahead: it becomes harder to see the markings, the edge of the roadway, pedestrians, and obstacles. In such a situation, the main task of the driver is not to create an unpredictable trajectory and not to endanger others.
Clause 19.3 of the Traffic Rules establishes the procedure of actions when visibility in the direction of travel sharply deteriorates due to glare. Although the clause mentions headlight glare as an example, the logic of the rule also applies to the sun: if you actually cannot see the road, you cannot safely continue driving in normal mode. Therefore, you must first reduce your speed to a safe level according to actual visibility, and if true glare occurs — stop driving.
An important nuance of this rule is that you should stop without changing lanes. The explanation is simple: during glare, the driver does not precisely control where the lane boundaries are, where the shoulder is, or where the oncoming lane is. Any steering maneuver at this moment can lead to entering oncoming traffic or leaving the road. Therefore, the safest decision is to keep going straight in your lane, gradually reduce speed, and stop.
To let other road users know in advance that your vehicle is moving abnormally and may stop, you need to turn on your hazard warning lights. This is a warning about danger and is essentially a sign of a forced stop. Note: the use of the horn in this situation is not a required action according to the rules, since it does not solve the problem of lost visibility and does not ensure safe control of the trajectory.
You may resume driving only when the negative effect of glare has passed and you can clearly see the road and the situation ahead again.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Turn on the hazard warning lights and, without changing lanes, reduce speed and stop," because according to clause 19.3 of the Traffic Rules, during glare, the driver must warn others with hazard lights, not perform maneuvers involving lane changes, and stop until visibility is restored.