35.115. You have stopped at the request of a police officer. Will you turn on the hazard warning lights?
UAВи зупинились на вимогу поліцейського. Ви увімкнете аварійну світлову сигналізацію?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during the stopping of a vehicle and the correct way to give warning signals to other road users. When a driver is forced to change the usual driving pattern and stops outside the “logic of the flow,” it is important to make the car as visible as possible to reduce the risk of a collision or dangerous approach, especially in conditions of heavy traffic, dusk, or poor visibility.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the traffic rules regarding warning signals, in particular the use of hazard warning lights. According to point 9.9(b), the hazard warning lights must be turned on when stopping at the request of a police officer (as well as in case of being blinded by headlights). Therefore, the answer “Yes” corresponds to the direct requirement of the Rules and is the correct action during such a stop, as it is a clear signal to other drivers that the car is not stopped by accident.
The answer “No” is incorrect, as it contradicts the established procedure of the traffic rules for a driver stopping at the request of a police officer. It is also important not to confuse the “hazard lights” with the emergency stop sign: according to point 9.11(a), the sign is placed in case of a forced stop on the road, while stopping at the request of a police officer is separately listed among the cases where turning on the hazard warning lights is mandatory. Such nuances often appear in the theoretical exam and help you act correctly in real road situations.
Clause 9.9 [b]
The hazard warning lights must be switched on: b) in case of stopping at the request of a police officer or as a result of the driver being dazzled by headlights.
Explanation of application: if the vehicle is stopped specifically at the request of a police officer, the driver is obliged to switch on the hazard warning lights.
Clause 1.10 (term "Hazard warning lights")
Hazard warning lights — simultaneous activation of all turn indicators.
Clause 9.11 [a] (additionally — about the emergency stop sign)
An emergency stop sign or a flashing red lantern must be installed: a) in case of a forced stop on the road.
Explanation of application: stopping at the request of a police officer is directly classified by the Traffic Rules as a case where switching on the hazard warning lights is mandatory (clause 9.9 [b]), while installation of the emergency stop sign under clause 9.11 [a] applies specifically to a forced stop.
That is, the correct answer is "Yes.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, in case of stopping at the request of a police officer, the hazard warning lights must be switched on (clause 9.9 [b]).
When a police officer signals you to stop, you pull out of the traffic flow, stop in a permitted place, and in fact create an unusual situation for other road users: your car is standing where vehicles usually move. At this moment, it is important that your car is clearly visible and that other drivers understand in advance that you have stopped intentionally.
The rules specifically provide for this case. According to clause 9.9(b), the hazard warning lights must be switched on, in particular, when stopping at the request of a police officer. That is, this is not "optional," but a procedure established by the Traffic Rules for the driver in such a situation.
In practice, this works as an additional warning for others: for example, if you are stopped on the roadside of a busy road or in twilight or rainy conditions, the activated hazard lights attract attention and reduce the risk that someone will dangerously approach or fail to react in time to your stationary vehicle.
At the same time, in this situation, it is specifically about turning on the hazard warning lights. Setting up a warning triangle for a stop at the request of a police officer is not required by the Rules, since the Traffic Rules directly specify the necessary action through the hazard warning lights.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Yes," because when stopping at the request of a police officer, the Traffic Rules (clause 9.9(b)) require you to turn on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.