The ‘Truth’ About Flashing Hazard Lights in Bad Weather

This week, highly effective storms rumbled in Georgia. Once I commuted to and from residence in very heavy rain, many automobiles had been driving with their hazard warning flashers flashing. I shared on my social media pages that many transportation specialists frown on this app. This put up provoked a variety of opinions, a few of which instantly contradicted the specialists, so I made a decision to dig this a bit deeper and discover the “reality”.

Not solely do many specialists suggest not driving whereas the hazard warning flashers are flashing, however the apply is definitely unlawful in lots of states. John Burkhauser is an auto restore specialist who advises towards the apply. in 2021 Reader’s Summary article “Perceive that it is laborious sufficient to see you in dangerous climate, however now that there are not any flip alerts, different drivers do not know the place you is likely to be going both,” he advised the authors. The next Tweet from Charlotte space meteorologist Brad Panovich sums it up.

In reality, many specialists say that if rain or climate is dangerous sufficient to activate the hazard lights, the driving force ought to assume the circumstances are too dangerous to proceed driving. This American Car Affiliation (AAA) is a dependable supply of driver security info. Additionally they don’t suggest the appliance. AAA additionally, the app is illegal in lots of states. motorbiscuit.com He has an ideal article itemizing states the place you broke the regulation by driving with flashing hazard lights. Even when it is authorized, many regulation enforcement and safety specialists warn that it is unwise to do that within the rain.

Johns Creek Police Division, in 2016 Facebook page“Utilizing your hazard warning flashers whereas driving is unlawful in some states, however is unlawful in Georgia. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO USE THEM.” The web page went on to record the next causes:

• Hazard lights cut back visibility and confuse drivers. They could assume you might be stalling or being stopped.
• They make it troublesome to know who’s braking.
• They eradicate the flip sign perform

They concluded by reminding that hazard lights are an indication that you just need assistance.

Though analysis is restricted, studies Those that discover that flashing hazard lights have an effect on notion or driving efficiency. 1994 study revealed Perceptual and Motor Abilities in contrast efficiency in visually poor environments. A 2010 research of Malaysian drivers additionally warned towards driving when the hazard warning lights had been flashing. Nevertheless, it is clear that extra rigorous evaluation could also be wanted as some very sensible individuals in my social media world aren’t shopping for it. For now, I’ll observe the recommendation typically given in my articles and belief the specialists on this matter.