9.59. In which cases must you as a driver use turn indicators?
UAУ яких випадках Ви як водій повинні подавати сигнали покажчиками повороту?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safety of maneuvering and mutual understanding among road users. Turn signal indicators are considered warning signals: they notify other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists in advance about your intention to change driving mode or direction. Thanks to these signals, the risk of accidents is reduced when leaving a parking spot, changing lanes in traffic, or approaching a stopping place.
The question tests knowledge of Section 9 of the Traffic Rules, specifically clause 9.2, which establishes the obligation to signal with light indicators (or by hand if they are absent or malfunctioning). According to the rules, the signal must be given before starting to move and before stopping, as well as before changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn. For the theoretical exam, it is important to remember the key logic: this must be done every time before such actions, not depending on the situation or the "presence of observers."
The analysis of the answer options in the ticket comes down to one principle: the rule always applies. The statement that it is mandatory only in populated areas is incorrect, because clause 9.2 does not limit its application by location. The option with the condition "if there are other participants" or "in heavy traffic" is also incorrect: the traffic rules require signaling regardless of traffic, since the driver cannot know for sure who might be nearby or behind in the next moment. In practice, this means: turn on the indicator before leaving a parking spot, before any stop at the edge of the roadway, before changing lanes, and also before turning or making a U-turn.
Clause 9.2
The driver must give signals with the direction indicators in the appropriate direction: a) before starting to move and stopping; b) before changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn.
Application: this clause directly establishes the obligation to give signals with the direction indicators every time before performing the listed actions (starting to move, stopping, changing lanes, turning, making a U-turn), regardless of the presence of other road users.
That is, the correct answer is "Always before starting to move, stopping, changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn," given that by definition Clause 9.2 of the Traffic Rules obliges the driver to give signals with the direction indicators before each of these actions.
Section 9 of the Traffic Rules describes warning signals, that is, the actions of the driver that inform other road users in advance about your intentions. This is exactly what turn indicators are for: they allow other drivers and pedestrians to correctly assess the situation and prepare for your maneuver.
According to clause 9.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, you must use turn signals every time you change your driving mode or direction. This applies to two groups of actions: before starting to move and before stopping, as well as before changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn.
In practice, it looks like this: if you are leaving a parking spot on the roadside or from a parking space — you turn on the appropriate indicator before starting to move. If you plan to stop near the right edge of the carriageway — you signal this in advance with the right indicator. If you are moving from one lane to another — you signal before changing lanes. Before turning right/left and before making a U-turn, you also must turn on the appropriate indicator.
It is important to understand the logic of the rule: the signal is given not “when there is someone to show it to,” but always, because you cannot be sure that there is no other driver, pedestrian, or cyclist nearby who may be affected by your maneuver. That is why the intensity of traffic or the absence of “spectators” does not cancel the obligation to signal.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Always before starting to move, stopping, changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn,” since clause 9.2 of the Traffic Rules obliges the driver to give turn signals in advance before these actions as a mandatory warning of the intention to perform a maneuver.