4.19. Pedestrians who are moving along the carriageway or the roadside during hours of darkness or in conditions of insufficient visibility, in order to be detected in time by other road users, must:
UAПішоходи, які рухаються проїзною частиною чи узбіччям у темну пору доби або в умовах недостатньої видимості, для своєчасного виявлення їх іншими учасниками дорожнього руху повинні:
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This exam question focuses on road safety during nighttime and in conditions of poor visibility, when the risk of a pedestrian being hit increases sharply. On an unlit road, it is difficult for a driver to see a person in ordinary clothing in time, so the traffic rules establish simple requirements that help make the pedestrian noticeable and give the driver extra seconds to brake or maneuver.
The question tests knowledge of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine from the section "Duties and Rights of Pedestrians," specifically item 4.4, as well as understanding of terms from item 1.10 (such as "nighttime," "insufficient visibility," "carriageway," and "roadside"). In the context of the theoretical exam, it is important not just to memorize the rule, but to understand that it specifically applies to situations when a pedestrian is forced to move along the roadside or the edge of the carriageway, that is, when they are as close as possible to the flow of traffic.
The analysis of the answer options is straightforward: the requirement to move "only in groups of four in a row" is not provided for by the traffic rules and does not solve the main problem—visibility. Instead, the option regarding the use of reflective elements or clothing with reflectors fully complies with item 4.4 and is directly aimed at ensuring that other road users can detect the pedestrian in time. The combined option "1 and 2" is also incorrect, as it contains a false condition about mandatory group movement, which is not present in the traffic rules.
In practice, reflective bands, stickers, pendants on a backpack, or a vest work as follows: they reflect the headlights back toward the driver, making the pedestrian visible much earlier than if they were wearing dark clothing. This knowledge most often saves lives and helps to confidently answer similar exam questions when preparing for the theoretical test.
Clause 4.4
At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, pedestrians moving along the carriageway or the roadside must mark themselves with retroreflective elements (a strip, sticker, vest, etc.) or wear clothing that has retroreflective elements, in order to be detected in time by other road users.
Clause 1.10 (term “Nighttime”)
Nighttime — the period from sunset to sunrise.
Clause 1.10 (term “Insufficient visibility”)
Insufficient visibility — road visibility in the direction of movement of less than 300 m in twilight, fog, rain, snowfall, etc.
Clause 1.10 (term “Carriageway”)
Carriageway — the part of the road intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles.
Clause 1.10 (term “Roadside”)
Roadside — the part of the road that directly adjoins the outer edge of the carriageway at the same level, which may be used for pedestrian movement, stopping, and parking of vehicles.
Thus, the correct answer is "To use retroreflective elements (a strip, sticker, vest, etc.) or to wear clothing that has retroreflective elements, in order to be detected in time by other road users," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 4.4 directly obliges pedestrians at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, when moving along the carriageway or roadside, to be marked with retroreflective elements.
When a pedestrian is forced to move along the shoulder or the edge of the roadway (for example, due to the absence of a sidewalk or pedestrian path), they find themselves in a high-risk zone. At night or in conditions of poor visibility, it is difficult for a driver to notice a person in regular clothing in time, especially on an unlit section of the road. This creates a situation where the driver may physically not have enough time to react.
That is why clause 4.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine requires pedestrians in such conditions to take measures to be visible to other road users. The essence of the requirement is simple: the pedestrian must 'make themselves stand out,' and the most effective way is to use reflective elements on outer clothing or separate items with reflectors.
In practice, this could be a reflective strip on a sleeve or pant leg, a sticker on a backpack, a pendant, or a reflective vest. Such elements reflect the headlights back towards the driver, and the pedestrian becomes visible much earlier than if wearing dark clothing without reflectors. This gives the driver additional time to slow down, maneuver, or stop.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Use reflective elements (a strip, sticker, vest, etc.) or wear clothing that has reflective elements, to ensure timely detection by other road users," because clause 4.4 of the Traffic Rules obliges the pedestrian at night and in conditions of poor visibility to ensure their visibility on the road, and reflective elements are the prescribed and most effective means for timely detection by drivers.