How drivers use their hazard lights doesn’t drive me quite as crazy as a lot of other things on the roads. But I am perplexed when I see people driving normally – seemingly – with their hazard lights on. Doesn’t that sort of defeat the purpose for which they are intended?
Robert Thomson of the Washington Post says, “The laws on hazard lights vary from state to state, but common sense says that when you put them on, you are declaring that you are a hazard to other motorists. They are meant to be used when you have an emergency.”
Many states say you must be pulled off the road in order to legally use them, while other states aren’t as strict.
This article provides a handy list of state laws regarding the use of hazard lights. States are broken down into three categories:
- those who allow use while driving
- those who prohibit use while driving
- those who allow use while driving in emergency situations
USE THEM when your car has broken down and you’re waiting to be towed or if you’re driving in a funeral procession.
AVOID USING THEM when driving in bad weather, bad traffic or (and you know who you are) when you are parking illegally!
The takeaway here? Know the law in your state and don’t be randomly tooling down the highway with your hazards on for no legit reason!
Resources
Firestone: Are you using your hazard lights the right way?
Washington Post: Here’s the proper way to use your emergency flashers
I don’t think I even know how to turn on my hazard lights. Is there a law against not having hazards on when you should?????
Good question Ang. Will look into that!
Hi Michelle, I use them in a downpour, when I’m on a highway and slowing down past the speed limit. I want other drivers to know where I’m at, usually the slow lane. It bugs me that others continue to do the speed limit and more, despite the poor visibility we all enjoy. Am I technically wrong to use them in this manner?
Hi Frank!! Hope you are well! So, in the state of North Carolina (which is I think where you are living), hazard light use IS permitted while driving unless otherwise posted. I totally see why you’d use them in the pouring rain. When I lived in Florida, I definitely did the same thing a time or two! The laws do vary state to state though.