when to use hazard lights when driving

This article provides a handy list of state laws regarding the use of hazard lights. Idaho: Hazard light use is not permitted while driving except to indicate the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing. When not to use your hazard lights. Hazard warning lights must be fitted to cars first used on or after 1 April 1986. One problem with hazard lights is the outdated flashing pattern they use, which hasn’t changed much since 1951. A final word on your hazard warning lights. Added on December 30, 2018 The News Wheel don't use hazard lights in inclement weather, don't use hazard lights to signal slow traffic, turn on your flashers, when not to use hazard lights… Viewer Charles Davidson asked KHOU to verify the proper use of vehicle hazard lights with DPS. For some people, hazard lights flashing is amazingly suitable for this. A common misconception is that you should use your hazard lights when you are driving down the road and you run into heavy traffic. There's no law preventing it, and it's nowhere to be found in the NC DOT's Safety guidelines. If the weather is so bad that you cannot safely see while driving, pull over to a safe place till the storm passes. Incidents. Hazard lights are switched on by pressing a button on your dashboard that has a symbol of a red triangle. Some people use hazard lights on when driving in rain. They are tested as part of the annual MOT test and the car will fail if they are not present or are inoperative.. As the MOT inspection manual states: ‘Hazard warning lamps must operate using only one switch and with the engine or ignition switch in both the on and off positions.’ When Should You Not Use Hazard Lights 1. Do you need to turn on the hazard lights when you're driving in the rain to increase visibility? It's a question the Island's police forces can't even agree on. Using the hazard lights. Laws should clearly mention when not to use hazard lights. Should you or shouldn't you use your four-way hazard lights when driving in a winter storm? Keep your hazard warning lights in good condition. They shouldn't be used if you are driving in traffic. Driving Theory Test. NC drivers are permitted to use their hazard lights when driving. People use hazard lamps during rain, fog, and even when they are driving too slow or too fast on the highways. You may also use them on motorways to warn traffic behind you of danger ahead. Don’t use them as an excuse to park illegally. When should you use hazard warning lights? Driving with them on is distracting, and may also be illegal in your state. While some drivers may see hazard lights as a way of saying “I’ll be back in a tick”, the law disagrees. You should not use them to warn other drivers if you parked illegally (you shouldn't be parking illegally). Use your hazard lights only when your car is stopped or in case of a breakdown. You also do not need to use hazard lights if you are being towed, unless on a motorway or dual carriageway. If your hazard warning lights are left on while you are driving, any signalling with your indicators will … Never use hazard warning lights to excuse dangerous or illegal parking. The blinking amber lights are used to warn other drivers of danger or obstructions on the road, and the dashboard button is indicated with a triangle shape as shown above. Some turn their hazard lights on when it is raining hard or foggy, some use it when they have some mechanical/medical problem, etc. As different states have laws regulating when you should and shouldn’t use your hazard lights, their legal use will vary by state. Ginia Domingo (car industry executive) - The hazard lights, if left on, will disable you from using your turn signal lights, which I feel are more important for the cars behind you to see when driving during a storm. It would be the height of conceit and selfishness to think that improper use of hazard lights is a trivial matter, because it places your life - and that of other road users - at risk. Operating your anti-theft or alcohol interlock device. Indecision. Learn more about this topic at Manibela Academy. Over half (53 percent) felt it was a benefit; the other 47 percent thought it created a hazard. Author: Brandi Smith Published: 5:40 PM CDT May 22, 2017 Hawaii: Hazard light use is not permitted while driving. Some drivers use the lights as indicators to keep other drivers out of their way when they are over speeding. It’s important to switch off your hazard lights when the need for them has passed. Driving in hazardous weather conditions – this makes you more visible if you are driving slowly in fog, for example. In this video, I tell you why you've probably been using your hazard lights wrong the whole time! I've also seen new drivers turn it on when on the freeway. As we said, your car comes with hazard lights for a reason, and they shouldn't be used indiscriminately or recklessly. A driver might think it is OK to use the hazard warning lights when driving slowly looking for a building or street sign, but this simply renders any use of the indicators ineffective. Motorway Rules. Driving in Heavy Traffic. When to use your hazard lights: Conclusion. If you double park or stop in no stopping zone, hazard lights won’t stop you from getting a fine. Some drivers are even quick to turn on their hazard lights when parking illegally, but all it does is call attention to the fact that they’re being inconsiderate. If the purpose is to alert other cars that you're stopping or slowing down, then I think it's okay to use your hazard lights. Many states say you must be pulled off the road in order to legally use them, while other states aren’t as strict. Illinois: The use of hazard lights is not permitted while driving. However, turning these lights on while driving is not only the threat for people in front and around you. In other countries, drivers use hazard lights during overtaking and crossing over the intersection. “It would be ironic if your use of hazard warning lights became the cause of a collision. You mustn't use hazard warning lights while moving, except to warn traffic behind when you slow suddenly on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway. When shouldn't you use hazard warning lights? Generally you should not use hazard warning lights on a moving vehicle. Other reasons to not use your hazard lights include parking wherever you like, even if for a very short period of time – you will still get a ticket if a traffic warden spots you. Legal or not, whether or not to use hazard lights while driving creates its own little storm. #ManibelaTV Manibela is a … Suffice to say, hazard lights flashing is interpreted by these people in ways they deem fit. Hazard Awareness. I did some research and found some ways that you should be using your hazard lights… While this may be a good idea to indicate to other drivers behind you that you are slowing to a stop this is actually illegal in most states. Hazard warning lights are an important safety feature and should be used if you've broken down and are causing an obstruction. The only time you should switch on hazard lights while you are driving along, is to warn others of a hazard ahead on a fast moving road such as a motorway. This is not permitted in the UK. Laurence September 12, 2018 at 3:20 pm. Some countries recommend using hazard warning lights in bad weather or while driving slowly. When a driver switches on their hazard warning lights, all four indicators will start flashing intermittently to alert and warn other drivers that their vehicle is an obstruction. Virginia: Hazard light use is not permitted while driving except for emergency vehicles, stopped or slowed vehicles to indicate a traffic hazard, when … Your hazard lights can be seen at all corners of your car - they’re the lights usually used as your indicators. Hazard lights are required to be activated when a driver parks a vehicle on a roadway during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise or at any other time when conditions of poor visibility exist; or when the vehicle is travelling at less than 40 km/h due to vehicle impairment. Other Types of Vehicle. When to use hazard lights They are to warn other roa d users that you are a temporary hazard. 3. Hazard Warning Lights on the Move. Nunavut. A school bus dropping off or picking up children (in which case the lights should operate automatically). It makes driving for those behind more difficult as its unclear if there is a breakdown or …. Don’t use your vehicle’s hazard lights when: You are driving in inclement weather. A Cleveland-area website got more than 500 responses to the question of whether or not to use hazard lights in bad weather. Many people even use hazard lamps while driving at night or entering a tunnel and many others use the feature while driving on the wrong side of the road. When there is precipitation blurring road visibility and you turn on your hazard lights, other motorists may have a hard time determining which lane you are in or if you are changing lanes. Driving with hazard lights on is a common activity, especially when we need to drive in the dark or to warn people. Most people see hazard lamps as a way of attracting attention to their vehicle. It is illegal to use your hazard lights to try and avoid parking laws. Road and Traffic Signs. Whatever be the reason, the use of hazard lights inside the tunnel is a mockery of driving rules; is a derision of the actual use of hazard light and shouldn’t be practiced by the educated drivers. States are broken down into three categories: those who allow use while driving; those who prohibit use while driving Reply. The tunnels are so well lit and maintained, why on earth people consider it as a hazardous condition? For example, if you have broken down on the side of the road, or you are changing a tyre. Your headlights and taillights will suffice in bad weather. Are a temporary hazard has a symbol of a breakdown slow or too on... Dashboard that has a symbol of a red triangle a winter storm use is not permitted while driving not. Are to warn other roa d users that you should use your hazard lights flashing is interpreted by people... 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