Hazzard Lights

[jase]

We need everyones opinion on the use of Hazzard Lights. When do we use it, under what circumstances do we use it?

Please share your knowledge.

Thanks.

[yksharma]

jase, as per my understanding on hazard lights, it should be used only in below situations:

1. When there is a breakdown on the road (this is best usage of the flasher lights).
2. When there is an unusual or sudden situation (e.g. accident, road blockage etc ) coming up ahead and you want to warn traffic behind you.

However it is common that hazard lights are used in fog, rain, while towing, for picking/dropping passengers on roadside etc. In my opinion, usage of hazard flashers in these fashions downplay the importance / usefulness of the same.

Edit: Further, in my opinion, using flasher lights while driving in rain/ fog is really bad practice because one may not know if there is genuine breakdown on the road.

[appuchan]

Edit: Further, in my opinion, using flasher lights while driving in rain/ fog is really bad practice because one may not know if there is genuine breakdown on the road.

you are right. In fact, the flashing light in such situations will be a disturbance for other drivers as it will blind them and make it difficult for them to adjust to low light conditions.

[xander]

When there is an unusual or sudden situation (e.g. accident, road blockage etc ) coming up ahead and you want to warn traffic behind you.

I believe the ford figo has a feature that the hazard lights flash automatically if you brake suddenly from high speeds. I experienced it once in my friend's figo. It's a useful thing.

[yksharma]

I believe the ford figo has a feature that the hazard lights flash automatically if you brake suddenly from high speeds. I experienced it once in my friend's figo.

Yeah, it comes into action when there is hard breaking at the speed exceeding 96 kmph . Nice feature to have, it will decrease the risk of getting rear ended or at least decrease the intensity of impact.

[matbhuvi]

Edit: Further, in my opinion, using flasher lights while driving in rain/ fog is really bad practice because one may not know if there is genuine breakdown on the road.

In a 100km/hr speed limit high way, if you are forced to drive at 60km/hr or slower because of poor visibility, it is better to turn on the hazard lights. This will indicate the faster moving vehicles that you are moving slowly and take precautions. Huge trucks which runs at 40-45km/hr speeds run with hazard light on in the highways.

From Wiki : This function is meant to indicate a hazard such as a vehicle stopped in or near moving traffic, a disabled vehicle, a vehicle moving substantially slower than the flow of traffic such as a truck climbing a steep grade, or the presence of stopped or slow traffic ahead on a high speed road. Sometimes, they are used in severe fog conditions

[yksharma]

In a 100km/hr speed limit high way, if you are forced to drive at 60km/hr or slower because of poor visibility, it is better to turn on the hazard lights.

I would beg to differ on this. As per my understanding, when in low visibility conditions, all vehicles should slow down irrespective of the speed limit. In low visibility like in rain/fog, one should use fog lights ( though not every vehicle has fog lights, at least in India).

If in low visibility, all vehicles are running with flashers lights and if there is breakdown in dead right fast lane, then this vehicle can not be distinguished from other vehicles because all vehicles will be running with flashers lights set to ON.

But I would like to be corrected if it is not the case. We can debate further with inputs from fellow members.

From Wiki : This function is meant to indicate a hazard such as a vehicle stopped in or near moving traffic, a disabled vehicle

I agrees with this .

Thank you!

[NFSpoet]

If in low visibility, all vehicles are running with flashers lights and if there is breakdown in dead right fast lane, then this vehicle can not be distinguished from other vehicles because all vehicles will be running with flashers lights set to ON.

Exactly.
Infact this morning, we had some heavy showers here in Delhi and suddenly every driver had their hazard lights on. So for a moment while I debated whether I should switch on the wipers r not, with rainwater all splashed up on my screen, all I could see were flashing orange lights, and no clue who was moving and who weren't.

[Dev11]

Infact this morning, we had some heavy showers here in Delhi and suddenly every driver had their hazard lights on. So for a moment while I debated whether I should switch on the wipers r not, with rainwater all splashed up on my screen, all I could see were flashing orange lights, and no clue who was moving and who weren't.

So, you are actually helped by those flashing hazard lights. You were alerted that some vehicle is ahead - moving slowly or not!

yksharma, Rain or Fog, in lowered visibility how can you decide whether there is a vehicle ahead, forget it is moving slowly or not, if no indicators are visible. Flashing lights are at least help in creating doubt and slowing down the vehicle, and of course, minimize the chances of rear ending the vehicle ahead!

[turbokick]

I have seen in Kerala, when you are at a cross junction, hazard lights are used to indicate that you are going straight

I think the right usage of electric indicators is not documented anywhere in the rule books in India. Am I right? So the best sense prevail

-T