Are Hazard Warning Flashers the Same as Double Flashing Lights?
2 Answers
Hazard warning flashers and double flashing lights refer to the same thing. They are signal lights used to alert other vehicles and pedestrians that the vehicle is experiencing a special situation. Common scenarios for activating hazard warning flashers include the following: 1. Vehicle breakdown: If a vehicle breaks down while driving on the road and cannot be moved to a safe area promptly, the hazard warning flashers should be activated immediately to alert passing vehicles and pedestrians for safety. The driver should also call for help and wait for assistance. 2. Breakdown on the highway: If a vehicle breaks down on the highway, it should be parked in the emergency stopping lane. The hazard warning flashers should be turned on, and a warning sign should be placed 150 meters behind the vehicle. The driver and passengers should wait for rescue outside the guardrail in front of the vehicle. 3. Towing a faulty vehicle: When towing a faulty vehicle, both the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle should activate their hazard warning flashers simultaneously to alert other road users, especially vehicles approaching from behind, to avoid sudden lane changes or insufficient safe distances, which could lead to dangerous situations. 4. Emergency malfunction while driving: If the vehicle's braking system fails while driving, making it impossible to stop the vehicle quickly and effectively, the headlights and hazard warning flashers should be turned on immediately to alert others. Continuous honking can also help draw attention, and the driver should take necessary measures such as downshifting or other safety precautions. 5. Temporary parking on the road: When temporarily parking on the road, especially in non-motorized lanes or borrowed lanes, the hazard warning flashers should be activated to alert others. The driver should not leave the vehicle unattended. 6. Vehicle accident: In case of a traffic accident, the hazard warning flashers should be turned on immediately to warn other road users. The driver should also call for help and wait for rescue or further handling.
This can indeed be confusing. The hazard warning lights are controlled by the red triangle button on the steering wheel, officially known as the hazard warning flashers. When pressed, all four corners of the car will simultaneously flash yellow lights. Traffic police clearly stipulate that these are warning lights to be used only when the vehicle has a malfunction, is involved in an accident, or during severe weather conditions. I once encountered heavy rain on the highway with visibility less than 50 meters, and I had to turn on the hazard lights. However, be careful not to use them indiscriminately at city traffic lights. Last time, my neighbor temporarily parked by the roadside to drop off their child at school and turned on the hazard lights, only to be ticketed for illegal parking within three minutes.
