35.140. While driving at night, it is necessary to:
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning road safety during nighttime, when visibility is reduced and it is harder to accurately judge speed and distance to other road users. At night, the headlight illumination zone is limited, there is a risk of being dazzled by oncoming lights, fatigue sets in more quickly, so the risk of collision or running into something due to delayed reaction increases even with lower traffic intensity.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding following distance and interval (paragraph 13.1), and is also logically connected to the requirements for choosing a safe speed in conditions of insufficient visibility (paragraph 12.2) and the general duty of the driver to be attentive and respond promptly to changes in the situation (paragraph 2.3). The theoretical exam often focuses on the practical meaning of these rules: the following distance should provide enough time to perceive danger and brake if the vehicle ahead suddenly stops or slows down sharply.
The analysis of answer options is crucial here. The idea of "driving as close as possible" to signal your presence is incorrect and dangerous: in the dark, it is harder to determine how quickly the distance is closing, and the stopping distance may be longer than it seems, increasing the risk of a collision if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly. Instead, the requirement to keep a safe distance corresponds to the traffic rules and the real conditions of nighttime driving: a properly chosen distance ensures the possibility of stopping safely within the visible area and helps avoid accidents due to delayed reaction or unexpected obstacles on the road.
Clause 13.1
The driver, depending on the speed of movement, road conditions, the specifics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, must maintain a safe distance and a safe interval.
This clause directly checks the driver's obligation to choose and maintain a safe distance, which is critically important at night due to poorer assessment of distance and speed.
Clause 12.2
At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, the speed must be such that the driver is able to stop the vehicle within the visible distance of the road.
This clause additionally emphasizes that at night the driver must drive more cautiously (in particular, taking visibility into account), which directly affects the need to increase/maintain a safe distance.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "b")
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the road situation, respond appropriately to its changes, monitor the correct placement and securing of cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving this vehicle on the road.
This subclause generally obliges the driver to be especially attentive; at night, this is directly related to the need to react in advance and, accordingly, to maintain a sufficient distance.
Thus, the correct answer is "Maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead, since it is more difficult to assess the road situation at night," given that, according to the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to maintain a safe distance and choose a driving mode (especially at night) that ensures the possibility of a safe stop and avoidance of collision.
At night, the driver sees the road worse than during the day: the area actually illuminated by the headlights is limited, and it is more difficult to judge the distance and speed of other vehicles. Because of this, any miscalculation can lead to a situation where there is simply not enough time to react and brake.
That is why the Traffic Rules in paragraph 13.1 require the driver, depending on speed, road conditions, and the state of the vehicle, to maintain a safe distance. The practical meaning of this requirement is that the chosen distance must ensure the ability to stop safely if the vehicle ahead suddenly starts braking intensively.
At night, the risk of "not making it in time" increases even more. For example, you are driving behind a car, an obstacle appears ahead, and it suddenly slams on the brakes. If the distance is too short, in the dark you may notice the brake lights later or incorrectly estimate how quickly the distance is closing, and then even properly working brakes will not save you from a collision. Sufficient distance gives you extra time to perceive the situation, make a decision, and perform braking.
Practically, this means that at night you should choose your distance taking into account speed and visibility so that your vehicle's stopping distance fits within what you can actually see ahead of you, and so that in case the vehicle in front brakes sharply, you can stop safely without the risk of a collision.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Drive at a safe distance from vehicles ahead, since it is more difficult to assess the traffic situation at night," because in the dark visibility is worse and it is harder to accurately judge speed and distance, and paragraph 13.1 of the Traffic Rules requires such a distance that will ensure a safe stop even in the event of sudden braking ahead.