Using Hazard Light to Warn Other Drivers of Traffic Queue Ahead

THL on 02/01/2023 - 00:13
Last edited 02/01/2023 - 08:48 by 1 other user

Hi all,

Been driving in a few countries overseas and I've seen quite common that vehicles turn on hazard light momentarily when they're braking harder than usual (typically on freeways) due to long queue ahead to warn other drivers to slow down.

However, I hardly see anyone doing this in Australia - if at all.

Is this a good idea and should be recommended or taught in driving lessons here? If not, why not?

Personally, I think it's a great idea as I feel like there's more and more rear end accidents where drivers aren't slowing down enough or pay attention.

Keen to hear some thoughts.

Edit: Seems like some aren’t sure what I meant by turn on hazard light momentarily, here’s a YouTube video that explains it. Hopefully it helps.

Poll Options expired

  • 44
    Yes - this is a good idea
  • 34
    No - this is a bad idea
Automotive

Comments

  • HardQuiz on 02/01/2023 - 00:32
    +2

    MS paint?

  • jolee3 on 02/01/2023 - 00:33
    +12

    I feel like if they're braking harder than usual then they have probably been caught off guard by the queue themselves…I can't imagine most people will then have the presence of mind and coordination to hit the hazards on top of that. Not judging by what I see on our freeways anyway.

  • Gracey on 02/01/2023 - 00:44
    +20

    I always thought the hazards when hard braking was an automatic safety thing some cars have?

    • Gunnar on 02/01/2023 - 10:47

      This! The hazard lights coming on is due to it being an automatic safety feature when brakes are pressed harder than normal (and approaching the limit of the brakes)

    • THL on 02/01/2023 - 11:58

      Yes I believe newer modern cars have emergency brake assist which use laser radar to detect vehicles/object in front and will turn on hazard light when it brake.

      But the scenario I’m referring to is not necessarily emergency brake to complete stop but slowing down from 100km/h to say less than 30/20km/h on freeway.

      • Gunnar on 02/01/2023 - 12:06
        +3

        Brake force also triggers it.

        Watch reviews of newer cars doing testing on a race track and you can see the hazard lights flashing away during hard braking upon approach to a corner. Car isn’t stopping but braking aggressively before you take a corner and it will trigger the hazards

  • Mikefr on 02/01/2023 - 01:17

    Environmentally we don’t experience the weather extremes of Europe/Canada/North America, so possibly why hazards are used a lot more.
    Increased braking (If you don’t hit black ice) for a start…

    • Third_Gear on 02/01/2023 - 18:21

      There is no increased braking in a Canadian winter. You use your hazards if there is limited visibility due to snow and you are driving slower than normal. Hitting the brake too hard will put you in a ditch.

  • dcep on 02/01/2023 - 01:30
    +1

    Upon approaching the traffics in front congested to a halt from a distance after me thereon still free-flowing at 100km/h on freeway, I usually pump my brake lights on & off, given that there is no need for me to brake hard.

  • randomusername2017 on 02/01/2023 - 06:36
    +3

    Yep.. that sudden congestion that jumps out of nowhere will get you every time..

    • Nugs on 02/01/2023 - 08:09

      Just like stobie poles
      .

  • Euphemistic on 02/01/2023 - 08:13
    +2

    I will often put my hazards on if on a freeway/highway and find myself crawling along or stopped due to unforeseen circumstances. Especially if there is a bit of a gap behind. Seems to make sense to draw attention to to yourself if you’ve got traffic bearing down possibly unaware they need to stop. Alternatively I’ll use the brake lights by releasing and reapplying the pedal to make the brake lights flash. Human brain is pretty good at recognising flashing lights, but not as good at recognising things that don’t change.

    Additionally I decided to stop for a red light in an 80zone, can’t remember why but it meant quite hard braking and I’m sure the hazard lights were activated automatically. Car has autonomous braking etc so appears it could recognise hard braking and added extra warning to cars behind.

  • nswnotill on 02/01/2023 - 08:23

    Alternatively I’ll use the brake lights by releasing and reapplying the pedal to make the brake lights flash
    I also jab a few times on the brake pedal to warn following drivers to quickly slow down, when encountering an unexpected queue

    • lordra on 04/01/2023 - 01:08

      Also, whiplash.

  • Hybroid on 02/01/2023 - 08:51
    +1

    In the UK it's common to put hazard lights on when slowing down and inching to the side to let an ambulance through on motorway. It alerts others but also lets ambulance know you see them behind you and giving them passage.

    Got told off doing that here very early on when first arrived. Apparently hazards are only only only for dire emergency situations.

  • try2bhelpful on 02/01/2023 - 09:07

    My man likes to leave a good gap between himself and the driver in front in case of emergency. The trouble is too many tosser dive in the gap then everyone has to brake hard when they are caught off guard. We don’t need the hazard light if everyone is driving sensibly.

  • pegaxs on 02/01/2023 - 09:31
    +7

    It’s Australia… they wouldn’t have time to put their phone down and then press the hazard light button. Added to that, we live in a country that prides itself on not using indicators when they are required, so getting this idea off the ground is a tall ask.

    Some cars have this as a feature, and that is fine, but when someone is braking hard, the last thing they should be doing is fluffing about in the cabin space trying to turn hazard lights on or off…

  • Ricky Jones on 02/01/2023 - 10:17
    +6

    Maybe if cars had some lights at the rear that would light up when braking

    • Muzeeb on 02/01/2023 - 10:24

      You should patent the idea.

      c.2023 Ricky Jones invented the brake light which continues to save lives to this day.

    • brownsound on 02/01/2023 - 10:58
      +2

      would you pay more attention if someone had their hazard lights up ahead?

  • 2jzzzz on 02/01/2023 - 11:46
    +1

    I found a lot of European countries did this and I liked the idea.

  • Drakesy on 02/01/2023 - 13:43

    It's largely just European countries that it's present.
    I think it's a good thing, some cars will by default chuck em on under heavy breaking.

  • holdenmg on 02/01/2023 - 13:48

    If Australia is in Eurovision, we may as well join the EU and get the pretty flashing Brake Lights.

  • doctordv8 on 02/01/2023 - 14:00

    You give Australian drivers more credit than they deserve, or the practice would have already spread
    Yes, many of us already apply the safety measure already. T'was part of our Military Defensive Driving back in the late 70's.
    Yes, many more should be taught this, should apply this, and it should be standard practice.
    Mind, credit where credit due. I saw this as common practice and Sign posted in the Blue Mountains and the foggy hills south of Sydney last winter.

  • Bid Sniper on 02/01/2023 - 14:10

    My 2014 Kia has this as a safety feature, automatically hits hazards under really hard braking, I think its a great idea

    "Kia Pro cee'd GT Emergency Stop Signal"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2uUFitNY5I

  • Meowcat on 03/01/2023 - 16:34

    This is common on highways etc when coming up to stop/go or temp traffic lights in roadworks and there’s a queue, more so among trucks etc

  • Manny Calavera on 03/01/2023 - 20:49
    -1

    Hazards are for when you are being a hazard.

    Not for when there’s traffic.

  • lordra on 04/01/2023 - 01:13

    I've been waiting to share this. Today is the right time.

    I have no idea what they're saying, but the comment section is hilarious.

    Note : no one wears seatbelts, no one has lights on and no one thinks to turn on their hazards. Bunch of (profanity). All terrible drivers with no hazard perception.

    Enjoy

  • Euphemistic on 10/01/2023 - 18:02
    +2

    Saw this in action today. Travelling the highway at 100km/h and traffic queued at a standstill in front of us. As we quickly slowed to a stop several vehicles put hazards on. I’m sure it helped those behind recognise it was more than a normal slowing of traffic.

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