Why People Driving With Hazard Lights Flashing Should Stop Immediately

Be honest, we all did it at least once in our life. Driving with hazard lights on is a common activity, especially when we need to drive in the dark or to warn people. For some people, hazard lights flashing is amazingly suitable for this. However, turning these lights on while driving is not only the threat for people in front and around you. In order to understand why people should stop driving with hazard lights on, let’s us discuss a bit further.

The definition of these convenience lights is still unknown to many beginning car owners. So, what is hazard warning lights and why driving with hazard lights on is a bad idea? First, we will discuss about this car part.

What is Hazard Lights Flashing

Driving With Hazard Lights Flashing
The flashing hazard lights can be activated by this button. Source: Infomagic 

Hazard warning lights or hazard flashers are a pair of flashing indicator lights with the purpose of warning other drivers the in temporary objective.

In order to activate it, drivers press the red triangle button on the dashboard. In most of the cars, it will be placed in the middle and car owners must press by hand. Other vehicles, however, will automatically activate if the vehicle is in an accident or heavy braking.

The use purposes of these flashing hazard lights are very different around the world. In the UK, car owners use them when slowing down on a motorway, but in New Zealand, they do not use it.

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Hazard Lights Flashing Using in The Right Way

The fact that, even in developed countries, in some countries that had a long history in using cars like the United States, Japan or European countries, there are still existing some hazard lights flashing using ways that inaccurate and wrong. For example, in Japan, the driver will use flashing hazard lights to thank other drivers for letting him entering the lane.

In some cases, more negatively, in other parts of the world, drivers use car hazard lights to cross over the intersection, overtake another car or with some bus drivers, they use car hazard lights to dread other cars and tell them: “I’m speeding, do not get close!”

Driving with hazard lights on
Driving with hazard lights on is good or not? Source: Storyblocks

Most countries nowadays do not have any official rules that regulate the use of flashing hazard lights. For large states such as the United States, only a few cities of current states use its warning lights rules due to the habits of indigenous peoples.

And for that reason, we have not formed an unspoken practice in the use of flashing hazard lights till now, so it is important to understand the concept of this warning light so that it can be used in the right way.

As its meaning, the warning light button is always located in a place to observe easily, large size on the dashboard also, so that the driver is not difficult to use. Therefore, this warning light should only be used in the following cases, this is also recommended by the manufacturer.

1. Cars have to park on the road

On the highway, if the car encounters some unexpected problems and unable to move to the place of stopping as prescribed. The driver must parked on the side of the road and need to turn on the flashing hazard lights to other cars attention. Noticing other vehicles to avoid any collisions. Besides, maybe other drivers will help you in some circumstances (of course this situation is very rare in reality).

2. Cars moving in dangerous condition

If in the situation that the car can not reach to the stop or parking place, the driver should turn on car flashing lights to inform that your vehicle is in malfunctioning situations to know how to handle with other vehicles behind.

3. Bad weather

The word “bad” used because in case of raining or normal fog, we just have to turn on the fog lights or enough level for headlights. But remember, you need to avoid to turn on hazard lights because all vehicles behind will not be able to recognize when your car turn or lanes changing. In other cases, flashing hazard lights can also blur the brake lights.

Driving with hazard lights on
Driving with hazard lights on in bad weather. Source: Greenville Online

But in case the weather is too bad, the fog is thick, the driver’s view is only a few meters away, also the rain is too big that the windshield wiper is meaningless at that case. We should turn on car hazard lights to attract the attention of other cars around. Furthermore, remind to keep the distance safe between cars. However, the best option in case of heavy rain is to park along the road, turn on the flashing hazard lights and wait until the rain drops.

Why Driving With Hazard Lights On Is A Mistake

Yes, it is true. Driving with hazard lights flashing can bring you straight to the office box.  You might have already witnessed many vehicles with hazard lights flashing when driving under heavy storms, but it is actually a huge trouble.

According to AAA, driving with hazard lights on is illegal in a number of states. By press the red triangle, your vehicles will activate four turn signal flash at the same time, and this could be misunderstanding for an emergency.

Many car owners will say that they need to increase their visibility. However, driving with hazard lights flashing on is not only a danger to yourself but also giving a faulty heads-up to other drivers. If the weather is bad, our recommendation is to reduce the speed with the headlights on low beam. Along with that, maneuver the vehicle and turn off the cruise control to pull over to a safe place until the weather gets better.

Remember: Do not slam the brakes or make any sharp turn! You could lose control of your own car and easily cause accidents.

In conclusion, always watch out for your hazard lights before grabbing the wheel. You should only use it when your car is stopped or damaged on the road. If you are interested in our driving tips that we have provided. Do not deny to follow us to catch up with our daily articles to satisfy your demands.