What is the reason for the automatic flashing of hazard lights during emergency braking?
2 Answers
The reason for the automatic flashing of hazard lights during emergency braking is that the vehicle is equipped with an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) system. When the vehicle speed reaches 50 km/h and emergency braking occurs, the hazard lights will flash continuously to provide information to the following vehicles, allowing them sufficient reaction time and braking distance for emergency maneuvers, thereby preventing rear-end collisions. Currently, mainstream ESS systems determine whether it is an emergency brake based on the magnitude of acceleration during vehicle deceleration. Vehicles equipped with the emergency braking hazard light activation function also feature an automatic door unlocking function. During emergency braking, the hazard lights flash and the doors automatically unlock to prevent the situation where the doors cannot be opened in case of an accident, ensuring quick rescue operations.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've noticed that cars today are getting smarter. The automatic activation of hazard lights during emergency braking is actually a 'life-saving mechanism.' When we slam on the brakes, the car's computer immediately turns on the hazard lights, acting like a red flashing alarm for vehicles behind. Especially on highways, seeing four red lights flashing wildly is much more noticeable than just two brake lights. Once, I encountered a patch of fog on the highway, and the car in front braked hard with hazard lights on, giving me an extra two seconds to react. This feature is particularly useful in rainy or foggy conditions. Nowadays, many cars can even trigger it by adjusting braking intensity, making it faster than manually turning on the hazard lights.
