What does turning on hazard lights in a traffic jam on the highway mean?
2 Answers
Turning on hazard lights in a traffic jam on the highway is a way to signal danger to vehicles behind. Traffic regulations state: In case of a breakdown or accident on the highway, hazard warning lights must be turned on, and at night, width markers and tail lights should also be activated. When the light switch is turned to the first position, the small front and rear lights that illuminate are the width markers, indicating the vehicle's width to alert other drivers. Hazard lights, also known as emergency lights, cause both sides' small lights to flash simultaneously when activated, warning passing vehicles to drive safely. When to use hazard lights: Hazard lights are typically used in foggy or heavy rain conditions, when the vehicle breaks down, or in emergency situations. If you see a vehicle driving slowly, moving in an S-shape, or with hazard lights on, it may indicate that the vehicle is in need of assistance or signaling for help. Therefore, when driving, it's important to be attentive to other drivers on the road. In other words, flashing hazard lights serve as an alarm signal, indicating that the vehicle has a minor driving issue, such as inability to accelerate or maintain speed, alerting following vehicles to drive safely and yield appropriately. It also signals traffic police that the vehicle has a minor issue and is slowing down, and should not be treated as a traffic violation.
As a veteran truck driver with ten years of experience, turning on your hazard lights during highway traffic jams is absolutely a survival skill! Hazard lights are the highest alert signal for vehicle emergencies, far more noticeable than regular brake lights. When you see a sea of flashing red hazard lights in your rearview mirror, it's like Morse code from the road conditions—hitting the brakes immediately is the right move. Experienced drivers know that activating hazard lights can alert vehicles behind from as far as 500 meters away, especially during rainy or foggy conditions when visibility is poor—those red flashes could be a lifesaving signal. Don't worry about the minor battery drain; last time during a traffic jam on the Shenhai Expressway, it was the synchronized hazard lights from several cars ahead that prevented a ten-vehicle pileup in our convoy.
