35.15. When driving through a tunnel, you are approaching the end of a traffic jam. How should you behave?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns traffic safety in tunnels and the correct use of warning signals in situations where the traffic flow suddenly slows down or stops. In a tunnel, the risk of rear-end collisions and chain accidents is significantly higher due to limited visibility, the effect of “sudden darkness/light,” and the difficulty for drivers behind to quickly assess that a traffic jam has formed ahead.
This tests knowledge of Section 9 of the Traffic Rules (Warning Signals), in particular the requirement of clause 9.9 regarding the mandatory activation of hazard warning lights in the event of a forced stop. A traffic jam within a lane is considered an obstacle to traffic according to the definitions in clause 1.10, and therefore slowing down to a stop before its “tail” essentially becomes a forced stop, which must be signaled in advance to other road users. That is why the correct action in the context of the theoretical exam is to give a warning signal with the hazard lights to clearly indicate: there is not just slow traffic ahead, but a possible complete stop.
The analysis of the options logically supports this requirement: turning around in tunnels is prohibited (clause 10.7), so the idea of “turning around and leaving” is incorrect. “Turning off the engine and leaving the car” is also not the correct answer for this situation, since stopping and parking in tunnels are prohibited (clauses 15.9 and 15.10), and leaving the vehicle creates additional danger and is not a universal requirement of the Traffic Rules when approaching a traffic jam. Therefore, the statement that all options are correct does not comply with the traffic rules: the key and mandatory action to warn other drivers in such a situation is to activate the hazard warning lights.
Clause 9.9 (Section 9 "Warning signals")
The hazard warning lights must be switched on: a) in case of a forced stop on the road; b) in case the driver is blinded by headlights; c) on a mechanically towed vehicle; d) on a mechanically driven vehicle marked with the "Children" identification sign, during the boarding (disembarking) of children; e) on all mechanically driven vehicles in a convoy during their stop on the road; f) in the event of a road traffic accident.
Clause 1.10 (term "Forced stop")
Forced stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle due to its technical malfunction or danger caused by the cargo being transported, the condition of a road user, or the appearance of an obstacle to movement.
Clause 1.10 (term "Obstacle to movement")
Obstacle to movement — a stationary object within the lane of the vehicle or an object moving in the same direction within this lane (except for a vehicle moving against the general flow of vehicles) that forces the driver to maneuver or reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle.
Clause 15.9 (Section 15 "Stopping and parking", subclause "v")
Stopping is prohibited: c) in tunnels.
Clause 15.10 (Section 15 "Stopping and parking", subclause "a")
Parking is prohibited: a) in places where stopping is prohibited.
Clause 10.7 (Section 10 "Starting off and changing direction", subclause "v")
U-turns are prohibited: c) in tunnels.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Switch on the hazard warning lights," considering that the end of a traffic jam in a tunnel is an obstacle to movement, which may cause a forced stop, and in the event of a forced stop, the Traffic Rules (clause 9.9 a) require switching on the hazard warning lights to warn other drivers.
When you are driving through a tunnel and see the end of a traffic jam ahead, it means that there is an obstacle in your lane: the vehicles in front are sharply reducing speed or stopping, and you are forced to do the same. In a tunnel, this situation is especially dangerous due to limited visibility and the fact that drivers behind you find it more difficult to assess in advance that the traffic flow has already "stopped."
According to the Traffic Rules, a traffic jam within your lane is considered an obstacle, and stopping or sharply slowing down before it actually becomes a forced stop for you. Specifically for such cases, clause 9.9 (a) requires the driver to turn on the hazard warning lights to alert other road users.
The practical meaning of this is simple: the hazard warning lights inform drivers behind you in advance that there is not just slow movement ahead, but a possible complete stop. This reduces the risk of rear-end collisions and chain accidents, which in a tunnel can have particularly severe consequences.
Other actions such as making a U-turn or "getting out of the car" do not comply with safety requirements or the rules: U-turns in tunnels are prohibited (clause 10.7), and stopping and parking in tunnels are generally prohibited (clauses 15.9, 15.10), except in cases of necessity. In our situation, the key correct action as a warning signal for others is precisely the use of the hazard warning lights.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Turn on the hazard warning lights," because approaching the end of a traffic jam in a tunnel means an obstacle has appeared and you are forced to slow down or stop, and the Traffic Rules (clause 9.9 a) require you to warn other drivers with the hazard warning lights in such a case.