because on long island, ny, these idiots really drive with them on. during the snow storm 2 weeks ago, there were cars broken down in the middle of the expressway with hazard lights on. visibility was horrible and hard to judge if a car was moving or not because everyone had their hazard lights on.

just curious if this new "fad" has started anywhere else?

 

Well...One thing if for sure you were able to see them even with horrible visibility. I think thats the point when theres 3 inches per hr of snow falling. I know I use them when its really bad out this way drivers can't say they didn't see me. Now if my car was equipped with rear fog lights like audis and other german cars then I wouldn't use them. I only use them when I can't see 20' in front of me. Rarely am I out in those conditions but this last one caught me off guard.

 

Only when visibility is super low. or if the traffic flow comes to an abrupt stop.

 

It occurs in central pa too, it's interesting.

 

I do it if the rain is really bad

 

Did you happen to fail driver's ed? Thats exactly what youre supposed to do...Youre saying you saw them...then its working, duh.

 

LOL hence the word HAZARD lights.

 

visibility wasnt that bad. maybe 1000-1500ft. it definitely was not needed. not like it was an artic blizzard with 100mph winds

and no i did not fail drivers ed

 

They do it around here too. I never heard that it was mandatory or anything, but these people do it every time it snows it seems even with pretty decent visibility.

 

I wish they would do that here, rather than driving in near whiteout conditions without any lights at all which is more common of Colorado drivers. Hell, if they sky is a bit darker than usual I drive with my lights on because I would rather be seen than not.

In Germany any time traffic slowed down everyone would turn on their hazards and guess what, I never saw a single traffic accident there!

 

never had a full whiteout here. the thing is people would be stuck in the middle of a 3 lane(+1 hov lane) with the hazard lights on. at times it was hard to judge and the typical LI drivers didnt help by driving crazy and not letting anyone merge

 

 

Sorry, but anyone that drives with their hazards flashing needs a refresher course as they are only to be used when standing still. Remember they are hazards, not emergency vehicle lights. Use your regular lights because when you need to turn, how can you signal if the hazards are flashing? The signal lights are inoperative! Had a fellow last Thursday driving in front of me with the hazards going, I could have popped them out with a hammer if I had a chance, so annoying. He then slowed when he came to an intersection. As I had no idea what he was going to do, nor did the other drivers at the intersection, we all slowed to almost a stop, then he finally turned left so we could go about our business.

 

do you really expect every post to make sense after the superbowl?

 

They do it here if its raining bad enough. Any visibility is good visibility. Im all for it.

 

Nice!

 

LOL


And when its bad outside I appreciate ppl to use their hazard, the more precaution the better. On a clear day I can understand it being stupid. When theirs 10" of snow on the road anyone can lose control. Hazard's to me in a storm/severe weather means keep back/slow it down.

 

Why is it that this new philosophy of using hazards when driving has only erupted in the last few years?
Looks like the new generation needs to use some common sense as I can just envision a line of 50 cars going each way in snow and all have their hazards flashing. One certainly wouldn’t know where to look for a hazard or treacherous condition. Better yet, every car on the road driving with hazards that make the turn signals inoperative, great thinking. One wouldn't be able to tell who is stopped and who is moving.

"Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed".

Couldn't find a local statute, but at least the above law makers showed some common sense.

 

I just wish it was mandatory that all cars have foul/bad weather tail lights like many of the German cars have that illuminate 1 brake light so that the back of the car can be seen better. Only time i use hazards is A.) when im on the side of the road, or B when on the interstate and traffic is coming to a stop or slowing fast, Ill quickly throw them on as a little added warning to those behind.

 

Not sure but IIRC the European rear red fog lights have to be a separate light from the brake lights. And yes they are a great idea, every time I've driven in Europe the cars have them. I was in Nice in winter and the fog was really bad up in the mountains, those lights really help see cars in front of you.

 

I don't think it's a "fad". I've seen it all over the place - during rain storms mostly.

It's F'kng stupid just for the reason you said - it confuses disabled/stopped cars with cars that are NOT disabled/stopped.

Maroons.


Edit: Refernce thread - https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12689785

 

Well last time I had to use them It was 2 cars up front and 3 behind me, we were doing 20 in a 55. I use them to alert other drivers that might be driving faster, there's always an idiot speeding pass everyone. BTW I know to turn them off when I need to signal. Seriously is that such an impossible thing to do. You made it sound like a challenge. I actually throw my signal and switch them off, leaving my direction very clear. In the 8 years I have driving only really had to use them a couple of times. This last storm we had and one time during really hard rain. Wipers at full speed counldn't keep the water off.

Maybe if I was out during more storms with 50 other cars it would tick me off.

 

After posting, I thought maybe I should "look it up". Maybe they'd changed the rules or something. But, no, not really. Fromt he NC DMV Drivers Handbook:


I suppose you could use the open-ended "signaling possible danger" bit as an excuse for running flashers in bad weather. However, I'd suggest that the bad weather is obvious and doesn't require signaling.

I'd think "signaling possible danger" is for stuff the guy behind you can't see - like sudden slowing for debris in the road, or something that could cause an accident, etc.




Anyhow, I still contend that they should be used VERY sparingly so that stopped/disabled cars (the "normal" use of flashers) are not confused with moving cars.

 

this........

 

See them often on the Interstates when cars are going really slow (below 40). I have only used them a couple times when traffic on the highways come to an abrupt stop so I don't get rear ended by someone.

 

I tap "whoa there kimosabe" in morse code with my brake lights.

 

 

 

Idiots do it here too when it rains really bad. Most states have laws about using your flashers while driving .... here's FL's....

 

Even with lit brake lights I don't trust people. And by people I mean 16-22 year old girls with cell phones.

 

Why? They sound like prime canidates for a message in Morse Code.

 

OK....you win.

But if her first words to you turns out to be...."Lights went blinky" then you owe me a beer.