38.3. What should you do if a truck flashes its high beam headlights several times?
UAЯкими будуть ваші дії, якщо вантажний автомобіль декілька разів увімкнув дальнє світло?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe behavior during an oncoming encounter on a narrow section of road and the correct response to warning signals. It reminds of a key principle of the traffic rules: even when a driver formally has priority, they are obliged to act in a way that does not create danger, and in case of any uncertainty, to reduce speed in advance, up to a complete stop.
The theoretical exam covers several sections of the Traffic Rules at once: warning signals (section 9, in particular switching headlights as an attention signal and the rule that a signal does not grant priority), choosing a safe speed and actions in case of danger (item 12.3), as well as priority road signs, in particular sign 2.6 "Priority over oncoming traffic." The essence of the situation is that repeated switching on of high beams by an oncoming truck may indicate a warning about danger or the impossibility of complying with the sign's requirement (for example, the driver does not have time to stop or has a technical problem), so the wisest tactic is to start braking to assess the further actions of the other driver and maintain control over the situation.
Analysis of the answer options shows typical mistakes on the exam. "Responding with high beams and continuing to drive" does not improve safety and can provoke a conflict on a narrow section, where the cost of a mistake is high. "Sounding the horn, referring to your priority" is also a wrong approach, because warning signals do not replace the obligation to prevent risk, and priority according to the sign does not cancel the requirement to act cautiously. Instead, reducing speed and being ready to stop corresponds to the logic of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: safety and anticipation come first, and only then the realization of priority.
Clause 12.3
In case of a traffic hazard or obstacle that the driver can objectively detect, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely bypassing the obstacle for other road users.
Clause 9.5
Giving a warning signal does not give the driver the right of way and does not relieve him from taking safety measures.
Clause 9.2
Warning signals are: signals with turn indicators (or by hand), sound signal, switching headlights, brake signals, and emergency light signals.
Clause 33.2 — 33 "Road Signs", 2 "Priority Signs", sign 2.6 "Priority over oncoming traffic"
Sign 2.6 "Priority over oncoming traffic" means that the driver has priority over oncoming vehicles on a narrow section of the road.
Clause 2.3 (subparagraph "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 while on the road.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe driving speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the road situation, as well as 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.
Clause 1.5
The actions or inactions of road users and other persons must not create danger or obstacles to traffic, threaten the life or health of citizens, or cause material damage.
That is, the correct answer is "Start braking to determine the further actions of the other driver," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, warning signals (in particular, switching headlights) do not grant priority, and in case of possible danger, the driver is obliged to reduce speed up to stopping and act so as not to create danger, even if having priority according to sign 2.6.
In this situation, you are approaching a narrow section of the road where the order of passage is determined by sign 2.6 "Priority over oncoming traffic." According to the meaning of this sign, you have the right of way over vehicles coming from the opposite direction, including the truck.
However, repeated flashing of the high beams by the oncoming truck should not be perceived as "permission" or a "dispute over priority," but rather as a signal to attract attention. In practice, such flashing may indicate a warning of danger or that the truck driver is unable to take the necessary actions to yield the road to you (for example, is unable to stop in time or has a technical problem). That is, even though you have the right of way according to the sign, you cannot automatically continue driving at the same pace without assessing the intentions of the other driver.
Therefore, the safest and correct tactic is to reduce speed and begin braking, remaining ready to stop if necessary. This gives you time to check whether the truck is actually stopping and yielding, or, on the contrary, is continuing into the narrow section, creating a risk of collision. This approach corresponds to the general principle of safety: having the right of way does not cancel the obligation to act cautiously and prevent danger.
Options such as "responding with high beams" or "sounding the horn and continuing because you have the right of way" do not solve the safety issue. They do not help clarify the real intentions of the truck and may lead to conflict on the narrow section, where mistakes are especially dangerous.
Thus, the correct answer is "Begin braking to determine the further actions of the other driver," since repeated flashing of the high beams is a signal to attract attention, and at the slightest uncertainty you should reduce speed and assess the behavior of the oncoming vehicle, even if you have the right of way according to sign 2.6.