How to correctly turn on the hazard lights in a car?

[OPaislee]

As the name suggests, when you see the hazard lights flashing ahead, it means driving is currently impossible. Whether due to vehicle malfunction or police presence at an accident scene, this serves as a warning to approaching vehicles to avoid collision. The hazard light switch is distinctly marked with a red triangle symbol. Typically, the hazard light switch is located on the center console to the right of the steering wheel, though in some models it may be positioned below the center console.

[DeWilliam]

I remember once when my tire suddenly blew out on the highway, I was so panicked. Later I learned that turning on the hazard lights is actually very simple. Most cars have a red triangle button on the center console—just press it, and a red hazard light icon will illuminate on the dashboard. The key is to activate them only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop, especially in cases of vehicle malfunction or traffic accidents. On highways, you must turn on the hazard lights for temporary stops and place a warning triangle 150 meters behind the car. Never misuse them—I once saw someone driving with hazard lights on during heavy rain, which actually makes it harder for following vehicles to discern turning intentions and is especially dangerous.

[Vera]

Having driven for over a decade, I'm very familiar with the location of the hazard light button. It's usually near the steering wheel or the most prominent position on the center console—that red button with a triangular symbol. You'll hear a slight click when pressing it. An important reminder is to press the brake pedal when activating it, and only operate when the vehicle is completely stationary for safety. You must also turn on hazard lights when visibility drops below 50 meters in heavy fog—I once relied on this to make following vehicles yield promptly on a mountain road. But remember to turn them off immediately after resuming driving, otherwise traffic police may issue a fine.

[StRobert]

As a new driver, I was most afraid of using the hazard lights. My instructor taught me to look for the most conspicuous red triangle button inside the car, and pressing it would synchronize the flashing of the hazard lights. The key point is to ensure the vehicle comes to a complete stop before turning them on, as operating them while driving can be distracting. Practical scenarios include stopping due to a breakdown, and both the towing and towed vehicles must turn on their hazard lights during towing. However, misuse can lead to penalties—someone in our neighborhood was fined 200 yuan for using hazard lights during a daytime wedding car procession. Remember, this switch is like the buckle of a seatbelt; it can be lifesaving in critical moments.

[McSamuel]

Every time I teach my daughter to drive, I emphasize the use of hazard lights. The button is usually located below the central air vent, marked with a red lightning symbol. The correct operation is to press the button after turning off the engine, and the dashboard will show a flashing indicator. In special scenarios, such as vehicles transporting hazardous materials, hazard lights must be on all day. However, a common mistake is leaving them on while crawling slowly in traffic, making it hard for following vehicles to judge your movement intentions. Always check if they're turned off after use—once, I forgot and drained the battery, requiring a rescue vehicle to fix the issue.