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ILikeLamas678 t1_itzs6le wrote

Reply to comment by International_Brief5 in LPT - If theres a sudden roadblock on a highway or a traffic jam and you have to stop, always keep a lot of distance in front of you so you dont get pancaked if someone behind you doesn't notice the block. by zapdado2002

Hazard warning lights are a driver-controlled system that causes all turn signal lamps to flash at the same time. Its purpose is to alert oncoming cars to the presence of an emergency, thus the name. They generally flash repeatedly to better draw other drivers’ and passengers’ attention.

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Smacpats111111 t1_iu01jw9 wrote

Hazard lights can indicate a variety of things (and basically never indicate "we're stopping now"), brake lights automatically indicate "we're stopping now". You do not want to distract people from the brake lights. People are trained to hit the brakes when they see red, you do not want to confuse them by adding more flashing lights. If you want to get people's attention, pump the brakes. Please never use the hazards to indicate that traffic is slowing down.

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zapdado2002 OP t1_iu0won3 wrote

where i live, hazard light on a highway are an automatic sign that theres a jam in front. pumping breaks would not be as obvious

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EmperorPenguinNJ t1_iu17fz9 wrote

Hazard lights are a standard when you’re disabled at the side of the road. How would they not apply in this situation?

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Smacpats111111 t1_iu1egxp wrote

Because you’re in the road. When I see a guy flip on his hazards in traffic, I’m probably thinking that something broke and he’s pulling over, or something else is wrong. My first instinct isn’t “oh he’s announcing he’s braking” because brake lights already announce that.

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mogoexcelso t1_iu2y17v wrote

Except brake lights don’t indicate “we’re stopping now” they indicate “I’m using the brakes right now”.

Hazards used appropriately always mean “be careful” or “don’t hit me” or “I’m stopped in the road”. All of which 100% clearly indicate what following drivers need to know about a vehicle that is going to suddenly stop on the road.

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