9.7. How must the driver indicate the location of a road traffic accident?
UAЯк повинен водій позначити місце дорожньо-транспортної пригоди?
This exam question from the Ukrainian Traffic Rules concerns road safety during a traffic accident: how to properly warn other road users about a hazard on the road and reduce the risk of a repeated collision. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that marking the site of an accident must be done in advance and visibly, not just "for formality," because it is the warning signals that give drivers time to react, reduce speed, and safely bypass the obstacle.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the traffic rules regarding hazard warning lights and the emergency stop sign (points 9.9, 9.10), as well as the driver's duties in the event of involvement in an accident (point 2.10). The Traffic Rules directly require, in the event of an accident, to switch on the hazard warning lights and additionally place an emergency stop sign or a flashing red lantern at a safe distance, but not closer than 20 m in a populated area and 40 m outside of it. It is precisely the combination of these actions that is the correct algorithm for marking the scene of the incident.
If you compare the options, the answer with "side marker lights" does not meet the requirements of the rules: marker lights do not replace hazard warning lights and do not perform their warning function, and the Ukrainian Traffic Rules specifically indicate the obligation to use hazard warning lights in the event of an accident. The option with only the hazard warning lights is also incomplete, because the traffic rules also require a physical warning for the traffic flow through the emergency stop sign or flashing red lantern. In practice, this means: first give a light signal, and then correctly place the sign/lantern at the established minimum distance so that other drivers have time to see the danger in advance.
Clause 2.10 (driver's duties in case of involvement in a traffic accident), subclause "a"
"In case of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged to: a) immediately stop the vehicle and remain at the scene of the accident; turn on the hazard warning lights and set up the emergency stop sign or a flashing red lantern in accordance with the requirements of clause 9.10 of these Rules."
This clause directly specifies how the driver must mark the scene of an accident: turn on the hazard warning lights and place the sign/lantern, referring to the requirements of clause 9.10 regarding placement.
Clause 9.9 (Hazard warning lights), subclause "e"
"The hazard warning lights must be turned on: e) in case of a road traffic accident (RTA)."
This clause establishes the obligation to turn on the hazard warning lights specifically in the event of an accident.
Clause 9.10, subclause "a"
"Together with turning on the hazard warning lights, an emergency stop sign 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 the event of: a) a road traffic accident (RTA); b) a forced stop in places with limited road visibility in at least one direction of less than 100 m."
This clause clarifies that simultaneously with the hazard warning lights, the emergency stop sign or flashing red lantern must be set up (and defines the minimum placement distances).
That is, the correct answer is "Turn on the hazard warning lights, and also place the emergency stop sign or flashing red lantern," given that according to the Traffic Rules, in the event of an accident, the hazard warning lights must be turned on (clause 9.9 "e"), and at the same time the emergency stop sign or flashing red lantern must be set up (clause 9.10 "a", which is also directly duplicated in the driver's duties in case of an accident in clause 2.10 "a").
In the event of a road traffic accident, the main task of the driver at the scene is to ensure that other road users notice the danger in advance and can safely reduce their speed or drive around the accident site. That is why the Rules require the scene of the accident to be clearly marked with warning signals.
First, the driver must turn on the hazard warning lights. This is directly stipulated by the Traffic Rules as a mandatory action in the event of an accident: the 'hazard lights' immediately attract the attention of other drivers and warn that there is an unexpected obstacle or dangerous situation on the road.
But hazard lights alone are not enough. According to paragraph 9.10 (a) of the Traffic Rules, along with turning on the hazard lights, it is also necessary to place an emergency stop sign or a flashing red lantern. These should be placed at such a distance as to ensure traffic safety, but not closer than 20 meters in a populated area and 40 meters outside a populated area. For example, if the accident happened in a city, the sign/lantern must be placed behind the vehicle at least 20 meters away so that approaching drivers have time to react.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Turn on the hazard warning lights, and also place an emergency stop sign or a flashing red lantern," because the Traffic Rules require that, in the event of an accident, a light warning must be given with the hazard lights and, additionally, the scene must be marked with an emergency stop sign or a flashing red lantern.