35.147. At night and in cloudy weather, the speed of an oncoming vehicle appears:
UAУ темну пору доби та в похмуру погоду швидкість зустрічного автомобіля видається:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in conditions of limited visibility, when it is more difficult for a driver to correctly assess the traffic situation. At night and in cloudy weather, the risk of errors in perceiving distance and closing speed increases, which can lead to dangerous decisions during maneuvers. That is why the traffic rules require special attention and caution, since the cost of a mistake here is most often associated with head-on collisions.
The question tests the understanding of how visual perception works at night, in rain, fog, or twilight, and how this affects the assessment of the speed of oncoming vehicles. It is directly related to the terms "nighttime" and "insufficient visibility" (section "General Provisions", clause 1.10), as well as to the requirements for driver attentiveness (clause 2.3), choosing a safe speed (clauses 12.1–12.2), and safe overtaking conditions (clause 14.2). In the theoretical exam, it is important to understand: in such conditions, an oncoming car often appears slower than it actually is, because the driver mainly sees only the headlights without clear outlines or reference points, and therefore underestimates the closing speed.
The option stating that the speed seems lower is correct: due to the "blurred" view of the road and weak reference points, the brain is worse at assessing angular speed and distance, creating a false sense that there is more time before meeting. The statement that the speed seems higher usually does not correspond to the typical driver error specifically at night and in cloudy weather; much more often, the danger arises from underestimating, not overestimating, the speed. The option about perception remaining unchanged is also incorrect, because in conditions of insufficient visibility, the observation conditions change, and the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly advise taking this into account in practice: allow extra margin when overtaking, do not rely only on "visual estimation," and choose a speed that allows you to stop within the visible road distance.
Clause 1.10 (term "Dark time of day")
Dark time of day — the part of the day from the end of evening twilight to the beginning of morning twilight.
Clause 1.10 (term "Insufficient visibility")
Insufficient visibility — road visibility of less than 300 m in twilight, fog, rain, snowfall, etc.
Clause 2.3 (driver's duties)
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 while on the road.
Explanation of application: during dark hours/in cloudy weather, the driver must critically assess the road situation (in particular, the approach of oncoming vehicles), not relying solely on "visual impression".
Clause 12.1 (choosing a safe speed)
When choosing a safe speed within established limits, the driver must take into account the road situation, the characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, in order to be able to constantly control its movement and drive it safely.
Explanation of application: in conditions of insufficient visibility, the perception of speed/distance to oncoming vehicles deteriorates, so the driver is obliged to choose a speed that ensures control and safety of maneuvers.
Clause 12.2 (speed during dark hours and insufficient visibility)
During dark hours and in conditions of insufficient visibility, the speed must be such that the driver can stop the vehicle within the visible distance of the road.
Explanation of application: if an oncoming vehicle "seems slower/farther away," this increases the risk of error when assessing the time to approach; the requirement of clause 12.2 necessitates allowing for a safety margin.
Clause 14.2 (conditions for safe overtaking)
A driver intending to overtake must make sure that the lane he/she is about to enter is free at a sufficient distance and that doing so will not create obstacles or danger for oncoming and passing vehicles.
Explanation of application: in darkness/cloudy weather, the assessment of the speed of an oncoming vehicle is often incorrect (it appears lower), so a "sufficient distance" should be determined with an additional safety margin to avoid creating danger when entering the oncoming lane.
That is, the correct answer is "Lower than it actually is," given that according to the definitions of the Traffic Rules, dark hours and insufficient visibility are conditions under which the driver is required to be especially attentive (clause 2.3), choose a safe speed (clause 12.1), be able to stop within the visible distance of the road (clause 12.2), and overtake only after making sure there is sufficient distance to oncoming traffic (clause 14.2), and in these conditions the speed of oncoming vehicles is often visually underestimated.
At night and in cloudy weather, the driver perceives the road situation worse due to reduced visibility. The outlines of the oncoming vehicle, its position on the lane, and the distance to it are determined inaccurately because most reference points (shoulders, markings, objects near the road) are poorly visible or become "blurred" in rain or fog.
In fact, the driver often sees mainly the headlights, not the vehicle itself. Two bright spots without clear outlines create the impression that the vehicle is farther away than it actually is and is approaching more slowly. Because of this, the error occurs precisely in the direction of underestimating the speed of the oncoming traffic: it seems that there is more time before convergence than there really is.
This peculiarity of perception is especially dangerous during maneuvers where it is necessary to accurately assess time and distance, for example, when overtaking on a country road. The driver may mistakenly decide that the oncoming vehicle is "still far away and moving slowly," begin to overtake, and underestimate the closing speed. As a result, the available gap may not be enough for a safe return to their lane, creating a risk of a head-on collision. That is why, in conditions of insufficient visibility, the Rules require increased caution and choosing a safe speed taking into account the road situation.
Thus, the correct answer is "Lower than it actually is," because in darkness and bad weather, due to limited visibility and the lack of clear reference points, the driver underestimates the speed of the approaching oncoming vehicle.