Clause 2.3 (driver's duties before starting to drive)

To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged: before departure, to check and during the trip to ensure the technical serviceability and completeness of the vehicle.

Explanation: before a night trip, this primarily means checking the serviceability of the headlights, position lights, rear lights, brake lights, turn indicators, and license plate illumination, since without them driving at night becomes dangerous and/or prohibited due to the technical condition of the vehicle.

Clause 19.1 (Section 19 "Use of external lighting devices")

At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of road lighting, a moving vehicle must have its low or high beam headlights turned on.

Explanation: the rule directly requires the use of headlights at night, so before departure you must make sure that the lighting devices are serviceable and work correctly in the required modes.

Clause 31.4.3 (Section 31 "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment", subclause "External lighting devices")

It is prohibited to operate vehicles if external lighting devices and reflectors do not work in the prescribed mode or are missing, dirty, or damaged so that they do not fulfill their purpose, as well as if the requirements regarding their quantity, type, color, placement, or operating mode are violated.

Explanation: if even part of the external lighting devices do not work or do not meet the requirements, driving (especially at night) is a violation of technical condition requirements and creates increased danger.

Clause 1.10 (term "Night time")

Night time — the period from sunset to sunrise.

Explanation: the question directly concerns driving at "night time", when the requirements for the use of lighting devices become mandatory.

Clause 1.10 (term "Insufficient visibility")

Insufficient visibility — road visibility in the direction of travel of less than 300 m in twilight, fog, rain, snowfall, etc.

Explanation: even outside "night time" (for example, in twilight or fog) the rules also require headlights to be turned on, so the serviceability of lighting is critical.

Clause 12.1 (Section 12 "Speed" — choosing a safe speed)

When choosing a safe speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the road situation, cargo characteristics, condition of the vehicle, and ensure the possibility of constant control over its movement and safe driving.

Explanation: at night, visibility directly depends on the operation of the headlights, so technically sound and properly adjusted lighting devices are the basis for choosing a safe speed.

That is, the correct answer is "Lighting devices.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, driving is only allowed with headlights on, and operation of a vehicle with faulty/non-compliant external lighting devices is prohibited, and the driver is obliged to check the technical condition of the vehicle before departure.

While driving at night, the main challenge for the driver is significantly reduced visibility. During the day, we navigate by natural light, but at night the driver sees the road mainly only within the beam of the headlights. Therefore, before a night trip, it is most important to make sure that the vehicle has functioning and properly adjusted lighting.

The Traffic Rules require the use of external lighting devices at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, and also prohibit the operation of a vehicle if such devices are faulty or not working properly. This is not a formality: without low or high beam headlights, the driver will not be able to recognize obstacles in time, and without position lights, other road users may notice the car too late and incorrectly assess its position and dimensions.

There is also a practical reason: the distance illuminated by the low beam headlights is limited, and it is within these limits that the driver can actually see danger and react in time. If the lighting is weak, dirty, or improperly adjusted, the 'useful' visibility is reduced even further. In such a situation, even the correct speed can become dangerous, because an obstacle will appear in the field of view too late.

It is especially important that the headlights are properly adjusted: they should illuminate the road without blinding oncoming drivers. Incorrect adjustment creates a double risk: you see the road situation worse, and other drivers may temporarily lose visibility due to glare. You should also check the operation of the high/low beam switch, the brake lights, and the turn indicators, because at night, light signals are the main way to 'explain' your actions on the road.

Therefore, the correct answer is "Lighting devices," because at night, traffic safety directly depends on the proper functioning and adjustment of the headlights and other external lighting devices, which ensure the driver's visibility of the road and the vehicle's visibility to other road users.