What lights should be turned on when parking by the roadside?
3 Answers
When parking by the roadside, turn on the hazard warning lights. This function is mainly used to remind passing vehicles at night to avoid collisions. Here are the relevant details: Introduction to hazard warning lights: Press the button with a triangular pattern on the car's central console to turn on the hazard warning lights, and press it again to turn them off. The hazard light button is usually red and is prominently positioned on the central console. It features a white double-triangle border and is relatively large in size. Parking precautions: When parking by the roadside, observe whether there are other high-speed vehicles around, and promptly turn on the right turn signal before slowly pulling over to the right side.
When pulling over, it's essential to turn on the hazard warning lights, also known as the double flashers. With years of driving experience, I've had several emergency stops. Once, I had a tire blowout on the highway. I quickly moved to the right and turned on the double flashers. As soon as the flashers were on, cars behind me noticed from a distance and moved aside, avoiding a rear-end collision. If the lights aren't on, sudden stops can catch others off guard, posing significant risks. Now, before stopping, I make it a habit to slow down first, signal right to indicate pulling over, and immediately turn on the double flashers once stopped. If it's dusk or in rainy or foggy conditions, I also turn on the parking lights or width markers to enhance visibility. When choosing a spot, I avoid curves or blind spots, ensuring safety before getting out to inspect. Throughout the process, staying calm is crucial—never take risks for minor issues, as road safety always comes first.
When learning to drive, the instructor repeatedly emphasized turning on the hazard lights when pulling over. As a beginner, I didn't understand this. Once, I temporarily stopped to pick up a friend without turning on the lights and almost got hit by a car behind me, which scared me into a cold sweat. Since then, I've always turned on the hazard lights when stopping—simple and easy to remember. The instructor said this lets cars in front and behind know you've temporarily stopped, preventing accidents. I also learned to choose straight sections of road for stopping and avoid parking near roadside obstacles. If waiting for a long time, turn off the engine to save power, but never turn off the lights. Once it becomes a habit, it turns into an instinctive reaction, boosting confidence while protecting yourself and others.
