Under what circumstances should hazard lights be used in a car?
4 Answers
Hazard lights should be turned on in the following situations: 1. When temporarily parking on the road, turn on the hazard lights to alert other vehicles. 2. In case of a breakdown or traffic accident on the road, hazard lights should be activated to warn passing vehicles for safety. On highways, if a vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident and stops without using lights and warning signs as required, 12 points will be deducted from the driver's license. 3. When towing a faulty motor vehicle, both the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle should turn on the hazard warning lights to indicate their abnormal status. 4. When visibility is less than 100 meters, turn on fog lights, low beams, marker lights, front and rear position lights, and hazard warning lights. The speed should not exceed 40 kilometers per hour, and a distance of more than 50 meters should be maintained from the vehicle in front in the same lane. 5. In case of sudden heavy rain while driving, regardless of day or night, immediately turn on the hazard warning lights to alert passing vehicles and pedestrians for safety and attention.
I remember feeling quite lost when I first started driving, and my instructor repeatedly emphasized the proper use of hazard lights. The most common scenario is when your car breaks down or has a malfunction and is parked on the roadside—you must immediately turn on the hazard lights to make your position clear to vehicles behind you and avoid rear-end collisions. On highways or expressways, if your speed is very slow, such as during traffic jams or when towing, you should also turn on the hazard lights to alert others to keep their distance. In severe weather conditions, like heavy rain, fog, or poor visibility after snow, using hazard lights can prompt other drivers to slow down early. From personal experience, I’ve learned that when towing a vehicle, both cars should have their hazard lights on to maintain consistent signals and prevent confusion. Once, in a mountainous area with thick fog, I forgot to turn them on and nearly got hit—since then, I’ve made it a habit. In daily driving, I also briefly use hazard lights for temporary stops in the city, like picking up kids from school, but avoid overusing them to prevent confusing other drivers. In short, hazard lights are a lifesaver—use them as a priority for emergency stops, slow driving, or bad weather. With practice, it becomes second nature—safety always comes first.
I just got my driver's license and often wonder when to use hazard lights. Simply put, turn them on when your car has a problem and is parked on the roadside, like a flat tire or engine failure, to warn others not to hit you. In slow-moving traffic or when towing on the highway, use hazard lights to let vehicles behind know you're crawling. In bad weather like heavy rain or fog, turn them on to increase visibility and ensure others' safety. Also, when towing, synchronize signals to prevent confusion. At first, I thought hazard lights were only for parking, but later learned to use them during typhoon driving to avoid accidents. Don’t use them casually in normal situations, as it can disrupt traffic signals—brief activation is fine for quick pickups. Pay attention to traffic rules and real-life scenarios; practice a few times and you'll get it. New drivers shouldn’t stress—just remember the core purpose is to warn of danger.
As a driver with children, I pay special attention to when to use the hazard lights. Hazard lights must be turned on when the car breaks down and is parked on the roadside to prevent rear-end collisions. In slow-moving traffic on highways, such as during congestion, turning them on reminds others to maintain a safe distance. In severe weather conditions like heavy rain or fog with poor visibility, using hazard lights helps others see the position of my car. When towing a vehicle, synchronize the hazard lights to avoid confusion. During family trips, if an unexpected stop occurs, I turn on the hazard lights first before checking the situation, prioritizing safety. Avoid misusing them during normal driving, such as stopping unnecessarily, which can cause confusion. Communicate more with family about driving habits to reinforce safety awareness.
