Is it illegal to drive with hazard lights on?
3 Answers
It depends on the situation. The following are circumstances under which hazard lights can be used: 1. Visibility below 100 meters: When visibility is below 100 meters due to severe weather conditions such as heavy fog, heavy rain, or heavy snow, hazard lights must be turned on, along with low beam lights and position lights, to prevent traffic accidents. 2. Vehicle malfunction: If the vehicle cannot operate normally due to a malfunction or emergency and needs to stop to await rescue, hazard lights must be turned on. Note that whenever stopping on the road, hazard lights should be activated. If either party involved in an accident fails to turn on hazard lights, it is considered a violation and may result in fines and penalty points. Additionally, a warning triangle should be placed behind the vehicle.
Driving with hazard lights on is mostly a traffic violation. Hazard lights are originally for emergencies, such as warning other drivers when your vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident. Turning them on during normal driving can mislead vehicles behind you, making them think you’ve stopped or are in an urgent situation, which actually increases the risk of rear-end collisions. I often see people on the road who believe using hazard lights makes them safer, but doing so on clear days may result in a ticket from traffic police, as it violates traffic rules: lights should only be used for their designated purposes. Only in severe weather conditions, such as heavy rain or thick fog, are hazard lights temporarily allowed in some areas to enhance visibility, but they must be used carefully. Overall, the core of safe driving is following regulations—don’t take risks for momentary convenience, as you could not only face fines and penalty points but also cause accidents. I recommend using hazard lights only in genuine emergencies to maintain road order.
From my driving experience, using hazard lights while driving is usually a traffic violation. Hazard lights are originally designed for vehicle stops or emergency warnings, such as when broken down on the roadside. Turning them on during normal driving can confuse other drivers: they might misjudge your intentions and brake or change lanes, potentially causing collisions. I once encountered a situation on the highway during a traffic jam where a car drove with hazard lights on and was pulled over by traffic police, who warned that it was illegal. Although some states allow their use in heavy rain or fog, that depends on specific circumstances and isn't a default safety measure. Remember, the core rule is to avoid misusing lighting tools—keep them off under normal conditions. If there's a real emergency, briefly turning them on is fine, but it's best to pull over immediately. In short, don't be lazy—hazard lights aren't a regular driving aid.
