Should hazard warning lights be turned on for temporary roadside parking?
2 Answers
During the day, temporary parking does not require turning on lights, but at night, hazard warning lights, clearance lights, and rear position lights should be activated. When temporarily parking on the road due to vehicle malfunction or urgent matters, especially when using bicycle lanes or borrowing lanes for parking, hazard warning lights should be immediately turned on to alert passing vehicles and pedestrians for safety. Additional information: Other situations requiring hazard warning lights. 1. When visibility is below 100 meters: On highways, in cases of fog, rain, snow, dust, hail, or other weather conditions with visibility below 100 meters, which are unfavorable for prolonged high-speed driving, in addition to turning on fog lights, low beams, clearance lights, and front and rear position lights, the hazard warning lights ("double flash") should also be activated. The vehicle should then slowly exit the highway as soon as possible. 2. In the event of a traffic accident on the road: If a traffic accident occurs while driving and the vehicle cannot be promptly moved to a safe area, hazard warning lights should be immediately turned on, and a warning sign should be placed 50-100 meters behind the vehicle to alert passing pedestrians and vehicles to take emergency evasive action and promptly report to the authorities.
When temporarily parking on the roadside, I always turn on the hazard warning flashers immediately—it's a fundamental safe driving habit. Without the lights, other vehicles can easily overlook a parked car, especially at night or in foggy conditions, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. Once, I forgot to turn on the lights while parked on the highway shoulder, and a car behind nearly hit me, which was terrifying. Since then, I’ve made it a habit: hazard lights on as soon as I park, ensuring visibility even outside direct line of sight. Additionally, parking location matters—avoid curves or blind spots, and always pull over completely before handling other tasks. Taking a few extra seconds to turn on the lights adds an extra layer of safety.
