9.3. How should a towed vehicle be marked if its hazard warning lights are faulty or absent?
UAЯк позначити транспортний засіб, що буксирується, якщо у нього несправна або відсутня аварійна світлова сигналізація?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during towing and the correct way to warn other road users. When one car tows another, the towed vehicle may move more slowly, have limited maneuverability, or a longer braking distance, so it must be clearly marked from behind so that drivers following can react in time and keep a safe distance. Such knowledge directly affects safe behavior on the road and often appears on the theoretical exam.
The question checks section 9 of the Traffic Rules, specifically the topic of warning signals during towing. According to item 9.10, the hazard warning lights must be turned on in the towed vehicle. But if the hazard lights are absent by design or malfunctioning, item 9.11 a) applies: instead, a warning triangle or a flashing red light must be installed at the rear. Importantly, this is not an "additional option," but an alternative method established by the Traffic Rules of Ukraine when the standard signal cannot be activated.
The analysis of the answer options shows typical traps of the theoretical exam. The option with 40x40 cm panels with red and white diagonal stripes does not meet the requirement of item 9.11 a) and is not a prescribed way to mark a towed vehicle when the hazard lights are not working. The wording that allows the warning triangle only "in conditions of insufficient visibility" is also incorrect: the Traffic Rules require the sign or flashing light to be installed at the rear regardless of the time of day or visibility, if the hazard warning lights are not working. Options suggesting "do 1 or 2" or "1, 2, and 3" are incorrect, as they include wrong conditions or extra methods not provided for by the Traffic Rules for this situation.
Clause 9.10 (Section 9 "Warning Signals" — Hazard Warning Lights)
The hazard warning lights must be switched on in the towed vehicle.
This clause establishes the general rule: a towed vehicle is marked by turning on the hazard warning lights.
Clause 9.11 a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (Section 9 "Warning Signals" — Emergency Stop Sign or Flashing Red Light)
If the towed vehicle is not equipped with hazard warning lights or they are faulty, an emergency stop sign or a flashing red light must be installed at the rear of such a vehicle.
This clause defines an alternative way to mark a towed vehicle specifically in cases where it is impossible to turn on the hazard warning lights due to their absence or malfunction.
That is, the correct answer is "Install an emergency stop sign or a flashing red light at the rear of the vehicle," considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a towed vehicle must be marked with hazard warning lights, and if they are absent or faulty — with an emergency stop sign or a flashing red light installed at the rear.
During towing, other road users must be able to understand in advance that a vehicle ahead or behind is moving in an unusual mode. For this purpose, the Rules require that the towed vehicle be clearly marked with a warning signal, since it may move more slowly, have limited maneuverability, or be unable to stop quickly.
In a normal situation, the hazard warning lights are turned on in the towed vehicle. But if they are absent by design or malfunctioning, it is impossible to fulfill this requirement. That is why clause 9.11 (a) of the Traffic Rules provides for the replacement of the hazard warning lights with another visible warning that is clearly noticeable from behind.
In practice, this looks as follows: if you are towing a car and see that its hazard warning lights are not working, the driver must attach a warning triangle to the rear of the vehicle or install a flashing red light. Such marking informs drivers behind that there is a towed vehicle ahead and helps to avoid dangerous proximity or collision.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Attach a warning triangle or a flashing red light to the rear of the vehicle," since according to clause 9.11 (a) of the Traffic Rules, if the hazard warning lights are faulty or absent, the towed vehicle must be marked at the rear with an alternative warning device.