What is hazard lights for?

 

You know what it's like: you're driving along behind a taxi when its hazard lights suddenly start blinking. You know something is going to happen but you're not quite sure what – then it does a U-turn and pulls to a sharp stop. Well, we're very quick to shout at taxi drivers for using their hazard lights incorrectly, but the truth is that very few of us use them as they are supposed to be by law!

The National Road Traffic Act states that, "The driver of a motor vehicle fitted with a separate switch to operate all the direction indicators simultaneously, shall put into operation simultaneously all the direction indicators fitted to such vehicle, when the vehicle is—

(i) stationary in a hazardous position; or

(ii) in motion in an emergency situation.

That means that hazard lights, strictly speaking, are not allowed to be used when you're driving in heavy rain or mist as this is not an emergency situation. They also shouldn’t be used to indicate that you're about to stop or pull off the road. You also shouldn't use them to say thanks to the driver you've just overtaken.

No, you should only use hazard lights when your vehicle is stationary in a place where it could be a danger to other road users, to make them aware of your position, or when your car is moving in an emergency situation. The latter might be taken to when you are slowing down on the highway for an accident, or when there is an obstruction in the road. Alternatively, if your car has a flat tyre or a mechanical difficulty and you are forced to drive slowly to reach a place of safety.

For every other reason, using your hazard lights is illegal! The main reason for this is because hazard lights can be confusing. As in the example of the taxi above, other drivers don't know if the taxi is going to turn tight, turn left, do a U-turn or stop completely. If the taxi driver were simply to indicate, other drivers would be aware and the action would be a safer one.

AVOID USING YOUR CAR'S HAZARD LIGHTS WHEN:

• Driving in bad weather.  With your hazards on and rain or snow already blurring road visibility, other drivers may not be able to tell which lane you're in or if you're changing lanes. Turn on your headlights and taillights in inclement weather instead. If the weather is bad enough that you feel hazard lights are truly necessary, pull off the road and stop until conditions improve.
• Driving in heavy traffic. While your hazards can make you more visible, they can also make it challenging for other drivers to anticipate what you're doing and where you're headed, since turn signals are disabled when hazards are activated in some cars.
• Parking illegally. Parking illegally is never a good idea. But if you do park illegally...turning on your hazard lights doesn't make it legal. Keep driving until you find an appropriate parking spot and won't be blocking traffic.
• A turn signal will do the job. If you're slowing down to exit the highway due to an unexpected problem, think twice before using your hazards. As we mentioned before, turn signals are generally disabled when your flashers are on. That can make it difficult for other drivers to know where you're going and could result in a crash.     
  
  
  
  

• You may use your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is stationary to warn other road users that it is causing a temporary traffic obstruction. You may have broken down, had an accident, run out of fuel or been forced to stop by an obstruction in the road.

  You should only use your hazard lights while moving if you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and there is an obstruction up ahead that drivers behind need to be warned about. However, the lights should only be used for a period of time that is long enough for the warning to be noticed by other drivers. This means that you should not use your hazard lights when being towed unless you're on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn other drivers of something.

• Never use hazard lights as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. And you shouldn't use tham as a means of thanking other road users who let you out of a junction.

• Based on the highway code then, it is pretty clear, the only time you should use your hazard lights for long periods of time is when you are broken down or causing a temporary traffic obstruction for another reason while also stationary. When driving, you only use them briefly, and only on motorways or unrestricted dual carriageway.

• Car hazard lights use exactly the same bulbs as indicators, only they flash all of those lights at once and, as the name suggests, you use them in the event that your car becomes a hazard.

• Be safe and responsible obey the rules of the road and know when to use the hazards the right way.

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