What lights to use when parking on the roadside?
2 Answers
When pulling over to park, turn on the right turn signal, then release the accelerator and reduce speed according to the actual situation. Simultaneously observe the right rearview mirror to confirm safety behind before slightly turning the vehicle to the right. Adjust slightly towards the right side, aligning the front one-third of the car with the right lane edge line, and straighten the car body. Stop the vehicle slowly when it's about 30cm away from the edge line. Below are relevant details: When parking on the roadside, first observe if there are any high-speed vehicles around, promptly turn on the right turn signal, and slowly pull over to the right. Ensure the car body is parked straight. If it's difficult to judge the exact position, use the protruding part of the wiper as a reference point, aligning this part with the white line at the road edge. Of course, after parking, you can also check via the rearview mirror to see if the parking meets standards. Generally, the front door handle should align with the roadside. Precautions: Remember that parking is prohibited at intersections, railway crossings, curves, narrow roads, narrow bridges, steep slopes, tunnels, and within 20 meters of these locations; on roads with sidewalk barriers (hedges), crosswalks, construction areas, or opposite obstacles; and within 30 meters of bus stops, tram stops, emergency stations, gas stations, fire hydrants, or fire stations.
I've been driving for over a decade, and I've developed the habit of turning on the hazard lights whenever I make a temporary stop by the roadside, like waiting for a friend outside a supermarket or making a quick delivery. The flashing lights are particularly eye-catching, alerting vehicles behind me early on that I'm stopping, especially during rainy, foggy weather or at night when visibility is poor. Not using them can easily lead to rear-end collisions. I've had my own experience with this—two winters ago, I stopped by the roadside to buy something without turning on the hazard lights and nearly got sideswiped by a truck. Since then, I've made it a point to develop this good habit. Traffic rules also emphasize this: using hazard lights during temporary stops can help avoid penalty points. For daily parking, make sure not to block the road, pull over safely, and then turn on the lights—it's both safe and hassle-free. Also, remember to check your car lights regularly to ensure the hazard lights function properly, because driving safety always comes first.
