9.46. Is it permitted to use the audible warning device to attract the attention of the driver of the vehicle being overtaken within a populated area?
UAЧи дозволено використовувати звуковий сигнал для привернення уваги водія транспортного засобу, якого обганяють, у населеному пункті?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe communication between drivers during maneuvers in the city. It checks whether the candidate for the theoretical exam understands the difference between light and sound warning signals, as well as the restrictions on their use in populated areas. Choosing the correct signal is important for reducing noise pollution and preventing conflict situations on the road.
The question belongs to the section of the traffic rules about warning signals (points 9.5–9.6). According to point 9.6, to attract the attention of the driver of a vehicle being overtaken within a populated area, headlight flashing is used; the sound signal for this is only allowed outside populated areas. Additionally, point 9.5 establishes a general prohibition on the use of sound signals in the city, except when it is impossible to prevent an accident without it, so “warning when overtaking” in a typical situation is not a valid reason for using the sound signal.
The analysis of the options comes down to a simple rule: in a populated area, only headlight flashing is used to warn when overtaking, so the statement about the necessity of exclusively using the light signal corresponds to the Traffic Rules. The option about permission in the absence of the “No Sound Signal” sign is incorrect because the prohibition in the city applies by rule (point 9.5), not only by sign. The option about permission “in any case” is also incorrect: the sound signal in the city is allowed only as an exception for the immediate prevention of an accident, not as a standard way to attract attention during overtaking.
Clause 9.6
To attract the attention of the driver of the vehicle being overtaken, headlight flashing may be used, and outside populated areas — also the horn.
This clause directly establishes that in populated areas, only headlight flashing is allowed to attract attention during overtaking, and the horn may not be used for this purpose.
Clause 9.5
Sounding the horn in populated areas is prohibited, except in cases where it is impossible to prevent a traffic accident without it.
This clause additionally confirms the general prohibition on the use of the horn in populated areas (the only exception is to prevent a traffic accident), so "to attract attention during overtaking" such an exception usually does not apply.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited, only headlight flashing should be used," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, in populated areas the horn is not provided for attracting attention during overtaking (clause 9.6), and the use of the horn in populated areas is generally prohibited except for preventing accidents (clause 9.5).
Let’s imagine a typical situation in the city: you are about to overtake a car moving ahead and want to warn its driver so that they do not start a maneuver at that moment. It is important to understand that within a populated area, the method of such warning is limited by the Rules.
Clause 9.6 of the Traffic Rules specifies that to attract the attention of the driver of the vehicle being overtaken, it is permitted to give a light warning signal by switching the headlights. The use of a sound signal as a way to attract attention is allowed in this situation only outside populated areas. Thus, the wording of the rule separates the conditions: in the city only headlights, outside the city both light and sound signals are possible.
This is further consistent with the general requirement of clause 9.5: in populated areas, sound signals are prohibited except in cases where it is impossible to prevent an accident without them. That is, “warning during overtaking” in the city with a sound signal is not a normally permitted action; an exception is possible only when the situation already poses a real threat of an accident and it cannot be avoided without the signal.
In practice, within a populated area, if you need to give a warning while overtaking, you should use only the switching of headlights, taking care not to create danger or blind the other driver through the mirrors.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited, only switching the headlights should be used," since in a populated area the Traffic Rules allow attracting attention during overtaking only with a light signal, and the sound signal is prohibited there (except in cases where it is necessary to immediately prevent an accident).