9.19. How should a vehicle that is forced to stop in a place with limited road visibility (less than 100 m in one direction) be marked if its hazard warning lights are absent or not working?
UAЯк позначити транспортний засіб, що вимушено стоїть у місці з обмеженою оглядовістю дороги (менш ніж 100 м в одному напрямку), якщо на ньому відсутня або несправна аварійна світлова сигналізація?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during a forced stop in hazardous conditions, when other drivers may notice the obstacle too late. It refers to a situation with limited visibility (less than 100 m in at least one direction), where any delay in detecting a stationary vehicle increases the risk of an accident. That is why the traffic rules require clear and timely warning of other road users.
The question tests knowledge of Section 9 Warning Signals, specifically the use of a warning triangle or a flashing red lantern when the hazard warning lights are absent or malfunctioning (clause 9.11 b in connection with clause 9.10 b). The key principle here is not “where it is more convenient,” but “where it is most dangerous”: the warning device must be placed on the side with the worst visibility for other road users, that is, from where the vehicle will be seen the latest (for example, before a turn, on an ascent, behind vegetation or buildings).
The analysis of the answer options shows the difference in the logic of the Traffic Rules: placing warning devices on both sides at the same time is not required in this case, and the main task is to ensure timely warning specifically for the direction with the “blind” zone. Therefore, the correct approach in the theoretical exam is the one directly provided by the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: to use the sign or lantern on the side with the worst visibility, so that drivers receive a danger signal before they see the vehicle itself.
Clause 9.11 b) (Section 9 "Warning Signals")
If the vehicle is not equipped with hazard warning lights or they are faulty, a warning triangle or a flashing red lantern must be placed: b) on the side with poorer visibility for other road users in the case specified in subparagraph "b" of clause 9.10 of these Rules.
Clause 9.10 b) (Section 9 "Warning Signals")
Together with switching on the hazard warning lights, a warning triangle or a flashing red lantern should be placed at a distance that ensures road safety, but not closer than 20 m from the vehicle in populated areas and 40 m outside them, in case of: b) a forced stop in places with limited road visibility in at least one direction of less than 100 m.
Clause 9.9 a) (Section 9 "Warning Signals")
The hazard warning lights must be switched on: a) in the event of a forced stop on the road.
Clause 1.10 (term "Forced stop")
Forced stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle due to its technical malfunction or danger caused by the cargo being transported, the condition of a road user, or the appearance of an obstacle to movement.
Clause 1.10 (term "Limited visibility")
Limited visibility — road visibility in the direction of movement, which is restricted by the geometric parameters of the road, roadside engineering structures, plantings and other objects, as well as by vehicles.
Thus, the correct answer is "Place a warning triangle or a flashing red lantern on the side with poorer visibility for other road users," given that in the event of a forced stop in a place with limited visibility (less than 100 m) in the absence or malfunction of hazard warning lights, the Traffic Rules directly require the placement of the triangle/lantern specifically on the side with poorer visibility (clause 9.11 b) in connection with clause 9.10 b)).
Imagine the situation: while driving, your car suddenly experiences a technical malfunction and you are forced to stop. This is a forced stop, meaning the movement is interrupted not by the driver's choice, but due to a malfunction or other danger. Additionally, the stopping place is dangerous because visibility is limited: other drivers cannot see far enough ahead on the road (less than 100 m in at least one direction), for example, due to a curve, hill, vegetation, or buildings.
As a general rule, in the event of a forced stop on the road, you must turn on the hazard warning lights. And if the forced stop occurs specifically in a place with limited visibility, then just the hazard lights are not enough: the rules require you to further warn other road users by placing an emergency stop sign or a flashing red lantern, so that drivers have enough time to react in advance.
But the question contains a key condition: the hazard warning lights are absent or not working. In this case, the Traffic Rules directly provide for replacing this warning with a sign or a flashing red lantern. It is important where exactly to place them: not "behind by default," but on the side from which other drivers have the worst visibility of you. The logic is simple: if the danger arises where the car appears "suddenly" (for example, immediately after a curve), the warning sign should be placed on that side, so that the oncoming or following driver sees the warning before seeing the car itself.
For example, you stopped after a sharp right turn, and drivers approaching the turn do not have 100 meters of visibility. If you place the sign on the side with better visibility, it will not serve its purpose for those approaching from the "blind" side. Therefore, the rules require placing the sign or lantern specifically on the side with the worst visibility for other road users.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Place the emergency stop sign or flashing red lantern on the side with the worst visibility for other road users," because according to clause 9.11 (b) of the Traffic Rules, in the event of a forced stop in a place with limited visibility and in the absence or malfunction of the hazard warning lights, the vehicle must be marked with a warning device precisely on the side where other drivers will see you the latest.