Can You Be Fined for Parking on the Roadside with Hazard Lights On?

[LaKayden]

Parking on the roadside with hazard lights on can result in a fine. Turning on hazard lights does not allow you to park illegally at will, and improper use of hazard lights may also be captured by traffic cameras, which is a serious traffic violation. Always park according to regulations, avoid attempting shortcuts, and pay attention to traffic rules for safe driving. 1. Hazard Lights: Hazard lights are also known as emergency flashers, commonly referred to as "double flashers." The hazard light button is located in the middle of the dashboard, marked with a red triangle. Pressing it causes all four turn signals to flash simultaneously, indicating a warning to other drivers. 2. Usage Scenarios: On highways, if you need to pull over due to a breakdown, turn on hazard lights to alert vehicles behind you; they can also be used when your car is being towed; if your car breaks down on the road, turn on hazard lights to warn approaching vehicles to slow down and proceed with caution.

[StDelilah]

Once I parked temporarily by the roadside to run an errand, thinking that turning on the hazard lights would be fine, but I still got a ticket. The traffic police told me that hazard lights should only be used in emergencies, such as vehicle breakdowns or accidents, and randomly turning them on doesn’t make parking in no-parking zones legal. In reality, whether the parking spot complies with regulations is the key factor. For example, parking next to a solid yellow line, within 50 meters of an intersection, or in a bus stop area—regardless of whether the hazard lights are on—is considered a violation. So, it’s best to find a proper parking spot in daily situations and not treat hazard lights as a protective charm. If you really need to make a temporary stop, don’t exceed two minutes, or the cameras will still capture it.

[Tricia]

I think many people have misunderstandings about hazard lights, believing that turning them on solves everything. But last time I parked by the roadside in the city to pick up a friend, even with the hazard lights on, I got fined 200 yuan. The traffic police explained that no-parking zones on urban main roads and around schools and hospitals are absolutely off-limits, and hazard lights don’t work in such cases. Moreover, hazard lights are mainly used to alert vehicles behind when the car breaks down, not as a tool to avoid parking violations. Temporary parking should also consider whether it obstructs traffic, such as blocking bike lanes or the entrances of shops. Nowadays, many places have electronic police systems specifically targeting illegal parking, and turning on hazard lights only makes you more noticeable.

[DiAdeline]

My neighbor just got fined. He parked with hazard lights on in front of a supermarket for five minutes to buy water, and the ticket was directly placed on his car window. Actually, according to Article 56 of the Traffic Law, roadside parking is divided into two situations: one is emergency parking where hazard lights must be turned on, such as a flat tire or accident; the other is regular temporary parking, which must be within the marked lines where parking is allowed. If you park with hazard lights on without any malfunction, traffic police will consider it as intentionally occupying the road. Especially during evening rush hours, parking with hazard lights on by the lane can easily cause congestion, and this will definitely result in a fine. Additionally, parking with hazard lights on during rainy or foggy weather is even more dangerous, as following vehicles might misjudge the status of your car.