9.32. Which external lighting devices must be switched on when a vehicle is stopped by a police officer?
UAЯкі зовнішні світлові прилади необхідно ввімкнути у разі зупинення транспортного засобу поліцейським?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of warning light signals and the driver’s actions during a stop in an unusual or potentially dangerous situation. When a vehicle is stopped at the request of a police officer, other road users may not understand the reason for the stop, so it is important to warn them in advance and reduce the risk of collision or dangerous overtaking. That is why the correct use of external lighting devices is directly related to safety and discipline on the road, which is often checked in the theoretical exam.
The question belongs to Section 9 of the Traffic Rules, topic "Warning Signals." According to clause 9.9(b), the hazard warning lights must be turned on when stopping at the request of a police officer (also in case of being blinded by headlights). In practical terms, this means that the driver may stop even where stopping is usually undesirable or prohibited, and the "hazard lights" signal to other drivers about the forced nature of the stop and a possible obstacle.
If we analyze the answer options, the statement that nothing needs to be turned on contradicts the direct rule of clause 9.9(b). Daytime running lights or fog lights do not serve the function of warning about an unplanned stop and do not replace the hazard warning lights. Parking lights are used in other visibility conditions and during parking, but they do not provide a clear signal to other road users about a forced stop specifically at the request of the police. To fully comply with the traffic rules, it is also important to remember clause 9.2: before changing lanes to the stopping place, a turn signal must be given, and only after a complete stop should the hazard warning lights be turned on.
Clause 9.9 b) (Section 9 "Warning signals" — activation of hazard warning lights)
"The hazard warning lights must be switched on: ... b) in case of stopping at the request of a police officer or as a result of the driver being dazzled by headlights."
Clause 9.2 (Section 9 "Warning signals" — signaling with turn indicators)
"Signaling with turn indicators or by hand must be carried out in advance before starting the maneuver and stopped immediately after its completion (giving a signal does not give the driver priority and does not exempt them from taking precautions)."
Application: when complying with a police officer's request to stop, the driver, before changing lanes/approaching the stopping place, gives a signal with the turn indicator, and after stopping — in accordance with clause 9.9 b), switches on the hazard warning lights.
Thus, the correct answer is "Hazard warning lights," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, they must be switched on "in case of stopping at the request of a police officer" (clause 9.9 b)).
When a police officer signals a stop, the driver may be forced to stop in a place where stopping is usually undesirable or even prohibited. Other road users do not know the reason for such a stop, so for them it may appear as an unexpected obstacle on the road.
That is why the Traffic Rules provide a separate rule: according to paragraph 9.9 (b), in the event of stopping at the request of a police officer, it is necessary to turn on the hazard warning lights. Their purpose in this situation is simple and practical: to warn other drivers that the vehicle has stopped not on its own initiative and may pose a potential danger or create an unusual road situation.
In practice, the correct sequence of actions is as follows: before stopping, the driver signals with the turn indicator for safe lane change and pulling over to the stopping place, and after a complete stop, turns on the hazard warning lights. This is consistent with the logic of safety and the requirements of the Rules.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Hazard warning lights," since paragraph 9.9 (b) of the Traffic Rules requires them to be turned on when stopping at the request of a police officer to warn other road users.