35.158. In this situation, when an oncoming vehicle appears, the driver of the white car must:
UAУ цьому випадку за появи зустрічного автомобіля водій білого повинен:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety at night and the rules for using external lighting devices. Proper switching of headlights directly affects visibility and the ability of drivers to respond to the situation in time, as blinding an oncoming driver can lead to loss of orientation, leaving the lane, or delayed braking.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding lighting and signaling, specifically the requirements of point 19.2. According to this point, high beams must be switched to low beams in advance, no less than 250 meters before an oncoming vehicle, as well as in any case when high beams may blind other drivers. In a situation where the oncoming car has already appeared within visibility, the driver must act proactively and reduce the blinding effect.
The option to switch to low beams complies with norm 19.2 and real road logic: low beams provide sufficient visibility for oneself and do not create danger for the oncoming driver. Continuing to drive with high beams in such a situation is incorrect for the theoretical exam, as it increases the risk of blinding and directly contradicts the traffic rules regarding mandatory switching when an oncoming vehicle appears.
Clause 19.2
The high beam headlights must be switched to low beam at least 250 meters before an oncoming vehicle, as well as in cases where the high beam may dazzle other drivers, including those moving in the same direction.
Application in this situation: if an oncoming vehicle appears, a driver with high beams on is required to switch to low beams to avoid dazzling the oncoming driver (including if the distance is already less than 250 meters).
Therefore, the correct answer is "Switch to low beam headlights," given that according to the Traffic Rules, high beams must be switched to low beams in advance when approaching an oncoming vehicle and in all cases where the high beam may dazzle other drivers.
In the situation shown in the image, the white car is moving with its high beams on, and an oncoming vehicle appears within visible range. This means that the high beam light can shine into the eyes of the oncoming driver and temporarily impair their visibility of the road and surroundings.
Clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine obliges the driver to switch from high beams to low beams when approaching an oncoming vehicle at a distance of no less than 250 meters, as well as in any case when the high beams may dazzle other drivers. That is, the “250 meters” guideline is not permission to keep the high beams on until the last moment, but rather the minimum distance at which switching is mandatory to prevent dazzling.
In the image, the oncoming vehicle has already appeared in the section of road that the white car’s driver can clearly see, so there is a real risk of dazzling the oncoming driver with the high beams. The correct action in such a situation is simple: reduce the blinding effect by immediately switching to low beams.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Switch to low beam headlights," because according to clause 19.2, high beams must be switched off in time when an oncoming car appears, so as not to dazzle the other driver.