8.1.79. In what way can a driver be informed about the switching of the green traffic light signal?
UAЯким способом водій може бути проінформований про перемикання зеленого сигналу світлофора?
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This exam question focuses on traffic safety at intersections and locations regulated by traffic lights. It is important for a driver to understand in advance when the permissive signal is ending, in order not to make risky decisions at the moment of switching and to have enough time either to safely complete the crossing or to stop before the stop line. Such knowledge directly affects the avoidance of emergency situations and common mistakes on the theoretical exam.
Section 8 of the Traffic Rules is being tested, specifically the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, clause 8.7.3 (c) regarding the meaning of traffic light signals. The regulation explains that a flashing green signal permits movement but warns that a prohibitive signal will soon be activated. The traffic rules also allow the use of digital displays (timers) that show in seconds the time remaining until the end of the green signal.
The answer options separately mention the flashing green and the digital display, and both methods are directly provided for in the Traffic Rules: the first gives a warning through a change in the light's mode, and the second informs with an exact countdown. Therefore, the correct answer is a generalized option that covers both mechanisms for informing the driver. In practice, this helps to correctly assess the situation, not to "speed up on yellow," and to complete the maneuver only if it is completely safe.
Clause 8.7.3 (c) (Section 8 "Traffic Regulation", traffic light signals)
"Traffic light signals have the following meanings: ... c) green allows movement; flashing green allows movement, but informs that a prohibiting signal will be activated soon. To inform drivers about the time (in seconds) remaining until the end of the green signal, digital displays may be used."
Application: the driver can be warned about the imminent end of the green signal either by the flashing green signal or by a digital display (timer) showing the time remaining until the end of the green.
That is, the correct answer is "By any of the above methods," considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the driver is informed about the switching (approaching end) of the green signal by the flashing green signal and/or the digital countdown display.
At an intersection, the green traffic light signal allows movement. However, it is important for the driver to understand in advance that the green will soon end and a signal prohibiting movement may be activated next. That is why the Traffic Rules provide for ways to warn about the upcoming switching of the green light.
In clause 8.7.3 (c) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, it is stated that a flashing green signal does not prohibit movement, but informs the driver that a prohibitive signal will soon be activated. That is, when the green starts flashing (often several times before the change), this is a direct hint that the green phase is ending.
In addition, according to the same clause of the Traffic Rules, digital displays may be used to inform drivers about the time remaining until the end of the green signal. In practice, this is a timer counting down the seconds, which allows the driver to assess whether they have time to safely complete the passage or if it is more advisable to stop.
Thus, the driver can be informed about the switching of the green signal both by the flashing of the green and by the digital display (if it is installed). That is why the correct answer is the generalized option that covers all the provided methods.
Therefore, the correct answer is "By any of the above methods," since the Traffic Rules (clause 8.7.3 (c)) allow informing the driver about the end of the green both by flashing the green signal and by a digital display with a countdown timer.