What lights should be turned on when temporarily parking a car?
5 Answers
During the day, no lights are required for temporary parking of a car. At night, temporary parking requires turning on the hazard warning flashers, clearance lights, and rear position lights. Hazard warning flashers, commonly referred to as emergency lights or hazards, are signal lights that alert other vehicles and pedestrians to pay attention to the special situation of the vehicle. Clearance lights are the outermost lights at the front and rear of the vehicle. Front and rear position lights, commonly known as parking lights or width markers, are also called side marker lights. Temporary parking refers to a brief stop on the right side of the road in the direction of traffic on a non-prohibited parking road surface, with the driver not leaving the vehicle. Regarding the temporary time concept, there is no specific duration defined; as long as the driver does not leave the vehicle during the brief stop, it is considered temporary parking.
I've been driving for almost twenty years, and temporary parking is something I often encounter, such as pulling over to wait for someone, answer a phone call, or buy something by the roadside. The first thing I do is turn on the hazard lights. The flashing hazard lights are very eye-catching, alerting the cars behind to notice my parked vehicle and avoid rear-end collisions. This is a basic safety habit, especially at night or during rainy weather when visibility is poor—not turning on the lights makes it easier to be overlooked. I remember a colleague who didn’t turn on the hazard lights while parked on the highway shoulder and ended up getting sideswiped by a small car—it nearly turned into a major accident. Developing this habit not only saves trouble but also avoids traffic violations. Nowadays, many places have cameras that issue fines if caught. So, every time I park, I instinctively press the hazard light button—simple but effective, protecting both myself and others.
I just got my driver's license not long ago, and my driving instructor repeatedly reminded me to turn on the hazard lights when temporarily parking. For example, when waiting for a friend by the roadside or stopping to deliver takeout, I immediately press the hazard lights button. This way, other drivers can see the flashing lights from a distance and know that I'm parked. If I don't turn on the lights, others might think the car hasn't completely stopped, especially on busy roads, which can easily lead to scratches or accidents. I once experienced this myself when I temporarily parked without turning on the lights, and it felt like the car behind almost hit me—it was quite a scare. This habit is easy to develop; just press the control button a few more times when parking. Don't find it troublesome—safety comes first.
As a stay-at-home mom driving my kids to school, temporary parking is a common occurrence, such as waiting a few minutes at the school gate. I always turn on the hazard lights as a warning. The flashing lights can alert pedestrians and other vehicles, preventing others from speeding up and startling the kids or getting hit when getting out of the car. Once on a rainy day, I parked by the roadside without turning on the lights and was almost sideswiped by a bicycle—fortunately, nothing happened. Remember the rule: Any temporary parking, especially in no-parking zones, requires hazard lights to be turned on—it makes daily commutes much safer.
I'm a car enthusiast and have modified some accessories, but for temporary parking, I highly recommend turning on the hazard lights. They emit a strong flashing signal, alerting other drivers in advance that your car has stopped, preventing rear-end collisions. For example, turning on the hazard lights is crucial when parking in narrow sections of the road. Not doing so might mislead others into thinking the car is still moving. Familiarizing yourself with the features of different car models can help you use the lighting controls more efficiently, such as automatic hazard light systems, but the fundamental principle remains unchanged: safety comes first.
