When to use your Hazard Lights
Hazard lights are a safety feature in your car. They are used to warn other drivers. If used appropriately, they can help keep a bad situation from turning worse. You might be wondering, when is the right time to use them. Here are a few examples of situations when you should turn them on.
One of the times when you should always put on your hazard lights is when you are pulled over on the side of the highway. Other drivers may use the shoulder to move out the way when vehicles are passing. Sometimes it is hard to see that there is someone stopped, especially at night. With these lights flashing those who pass by can see them from far away. Therefore they are less likely to hit you when you are checking on your car or looking at your map. If you are going to be on the side of the road more than a minute you definitely want to turn them on.
Another instance where you would want to warn other drivers is when something is wrong, such as when you have a flat tire or any other mechanical problem that requires you to drive slower than usual. This is also true if you are helping a friend by following behind them when they are having car problems.
You should also use your hazard lights to alert people in the event of an emergency. Sometimes dire circumstances might cause you to have to speed or possibly run traffic lights. For instance if someone is really sick or badly injured and you are driving them to the emergency room use your hazards. This will also alert any policemen that see you and hopefully instead of pulling you over and wasting valuable minuets they will escort you to the hospital and talk to you when you get there.
Hazard lights can be used in funeral processions because the vehicles following the hearse usually are driving slower than normal traffic. Other cars are alerted that it is a funeral so they can wait until all the cars that have their flashers have passed by. Sometimes a combination of headlights and flashers are used so be sure to get specific instructions from the director.
Be sure to use your Hazards in any of these situations in order to alert other drivers. This will help you avoid accidents and keep everyone safer on the road.
