The Right Time to Use Hazard Lights on Your Car

 Every car is equipped with features and technologies designed for the comfort and safety of its driver and passengers, one of which is the hazard lights. Hazard lights on a car are specifically designed to signal that the vehicle is in a dangerous or emergency situation.

However, in practice, many people still misunderstand when hazard lights should be used. To avoid confusing other drivers, here are the correct and incorrect times to use hazard lights.

Correct Times to Use Hazard Lights

1. When the Vehicle Breaks Down on the Road

This is a situation that requires you to turn on your hazard lights. For example, when your car stalls, has a flat tire, or the engine overheats. You should use hazard lights when stopping on the shoulder of the road or in the middle of the road if you cannot pull over safely.

2. When an Accident Occurs

If you are involved in an accident or have stopped to help victims, you must turn on your hazard lights. They signal that there is an emergency situation on the road.

3. Sudden Stop Due to an Emergency Condition

There are many unexpected events while driving. For instance, an animal suddenly crosses the road, a motorcyclist falls in front of your car, or you have to brake suddenly at a red light while traveling at high speed. In such sudden situations, hazard lights can be used to warn vehicles behind you and minimize the risk of further accidents.

4. Emergency Stop in Parking Areas, Curves, or Uphill Sections

If you have to stop suddenly in an unusual parking spot—such as on a curve or on a slope—hazard lights should be used so that other vehicles remain alert and cautious.

For most car drivers, turning on their hazard lights during heavy rain is commonplace. This habit seems to have become standard procedure for car owners. The purpose of using hazard lights is to alert other drivers. However, did you know that turning on hazard lights during rain is a misguided practice that can endanger other drivers?

Iwan Abdurrahman from the Technical Service Division of PT Toyota - Astra Motor stated that using hazard lights during heavy rain is actually dangerous and serves no purpose. This actually confuses vehicles behind the car. How is this possible?

When the hazard lights are turned on, the turn signals automatically become inoperative. This confuses other drivers, and drivers behind don't know whether the car in front is turning left or right. This clearly endangers other drivers and can increase the risk of accidents, compounded by wet/slippery road conditions and reduced visibility.

Another danger is that constantly on hazard lights can also dazzle drivers behind them. Seeing the car in front turn on their hazard lights, many drivers also turn on their hazard lights without even realizing their purpose. Smart Drivers, Use Hazard Lights at the Right Time

Hazard lights, also known as emergency lights, are lights that serve as a warning or indicator for the driver of a vehicle. When the button with the red triangle symbol is pressed, the hazard lights will simultaneously illuminate.

Regulations regarding hazard lights are stipulated in Law No. 22 of 2009 concerning Traffic and Road Traffic (LLAJ), Article 121 paragraph 1, which states, "Every motorized vehicle driver is required to display a warning triangle, hazard warning lights, or other signal when stopping or parking in an emergency on the road."

The term "emergency" in this regulation is as follows:

A vehicle malfunction that causes the vehicle to slow down or stop (breakdown).

Notifying and warning vehicles behind it of a problem ahead, such as a traffic accident, landslide, etc.

Something wrong with the vehicle, such as a flat tire that requires the vehicle to pull over immediately.

A vehicle traveling outside its designated lane.

In other countries, turning on hazard lights while driving, especially in the rain, is a serious violation of land traffic regulations. However, in Indonesia, hazard lights are still misused, and penalties for violations are not yet fully enforced.

Therefore, education and campaigns are needed to address the dangers of misusing hazard lights. Be a smart driver and use hazard lights wisely and appropriately.

Inappropriate Times to Use Hazard Lights and Still Often Done

During Heavy Rain or Fog

During heavy rain and fog, many people turn on their hazard lights. However, turning on hazard lights during heavy rain or fog can confuse other drivers because the turn signals cannot be seen.

When Entering a Tunnel

You don't need to turn on your hazard lights when entering a tunnel, especially if the tunnel is long and dark. Simply turn on your headlights to avoid confusing other drivers.

When Driving Straight on a Toll Road

We often see drivers turning on their hazard lights on toll roads, especially when speeding. This is not acceptable because it is actually dangerous. It's better to drive within the maximum speed limit as posted on toll roads.

When Going Straight at an Intersection

When going straight at an intersection, some drivers choose to turn on their hazard lights to signal that they are going straight. This is also inappropriate because not all drivers understand that the hazard lights at an intersection mean going straight. If the hazard lights are on, other drivers won't know whether you are going to turn or not.