Hazard Warning Lights, are they some sort of Klingon Cloaking Device?

[Rhythm Thief]

I remember coming across a driver whilst on a driving lesson that pulled out from a junction last minute even though I had right of way and was driving at the right speed and not hesitating-had to brake quite a lot to compensate. The driver then puts his hazard lights on for a brief second. my instructor and I laughed, if he knew what he was doing was causing a hazard why do it?

That means "sorry! didn't see you there". Informal, and not ratified by the HC, but actually quite useful: lorry drivers also use them for saying thankyou to people behind them.

 

[ttcycle]

No he was stopped at the junction and decided to pull out last minute as I was approaching so don't think it was either of the above.

 

[Zippy]

I think a lot of drivers put their hazard lights on to warn others that they are a hazard when they park illegally or are about to do some other motonic manoever.

 

[mr_cellophane]

Don't forget the drivers who pull away forgetting that their hazards are still on. You have to hang behind them as you don't know if they have indicated without realising that no one can tell.

 

[Dan B]

I think a lot of drivers put their hazard lights on to warn others that they are a hazard

I trimmed the bits that seemed superfluous

 

[Tynan]

I always think of them as a signal to inform you that yet again someone has broken down in a dangerous position outside the fish and chip shop/offie/chinese

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Don't forget the drivers who pull away forgetting that their hazards are still on. You have to hang behind them as you don't know if they have indicated without realising that no one can tell.

I've done that before now ...

 

[gaz]

I find it frustrating when I cycle past parked vehicles, I see a vehicle that appears to be indicating to pull out, only to find when I’ve past that they are in fact hazard warning lights and the vehicle is going nowhere.

that really pisses me off. I went past a row of buses today, all of them indicating. right to pull out. Sorry let me correct that, all had their hazards on!

 

[Rhythm Thief]

that really pisses me off. I went past a row of buses today, all of them indicating. right to pull out. Sorry let me correct that, all had their hazards on!

Some of you need to relax a bit. So you momentarily thought someone was indicating to pull out ... hardly life changing, is it?

 

[BentMikey]

I don't think relaxing is called for nearly as much as not using hazards inappropriately. Some of us like to be nice and let out buses, and it's not very nice giving up your hard-won momentum for nothing because some selfish driver has put his or her hazards on.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I don't think relaxing is called for nearly as much as not using hazards inappropriately. Some of us like to be nice and let out buses, and it's not very nice giving up your hard-won momentum for nothing because some selfish driver has put his or her hazards on.

Well, maybe it's a fair point with buses. Although it's not like the net effect of being more cautious because you think someone might be about to pull out makes everything more dangerous; it's certainly a healthier situation than the other way around.

 

[BentMikey]

Oh I agree, it's not dangerous, although I occasionally get a little stressed about overeager drivers behind me who don't see a reason for slowing down.

 

[gaz]

Did it ever occur that they may of had their hazards on for a valid reason?

Did it occur to them when they park behind each other you can't see the left indicator...
I like to let the buses go when i can, and when it looks like they are trying to pull out when they aren't it's a bit frustrating to lose your momentum.

 

[661-Pete]

Embarrassingly, I think the precise HC wording had escaped me and turned out to have one or two surprises! Here it is in full:

116 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.

So the only time you can turn them on when moving, is on a motorway or D/C to warn following drivers of congestion or stationary traffic etc. ahead. I do that sometimes, but I think I've also used them for the same reason on a single carriageway. Apparently this is wrong! Also, to warn another motorist that he has left his indicators on, or no lights at night, etc. etc. This too seems to be wrong! And, I understood that it was usual to put them on when being towed on any road - once again, wrong except on a motorway D/C. Surprising!

As for the illegal parking thingy ("I was only popping in for a packet of fags, Officer") - well I've seen cars which have been ticketed - or even clamped, with the hazard lights merrily flashing away. So not all our noble Traffic Wardens are taken in!

 

[hackbike 666]

Some of you need to relax a bit. So you momentarily thought someone was indicating to pull out ... hardly life changing, is it?

That's the thing....they are calling your/our/my bluff.