[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by _raVan_

Well as an add on, I normally beep the hazard lights twice if I have cut into somebody else's lane in traffic as a note of "Thanks" or "Sorry" The interpretation is solely on the driver behind me

I wonder if anyone actually figures out your intention. Not the right thing to flash the hazard lights, right?

Originally Posted by rohan_iitr

I have seen some cars in which the hazard lights automatically start blinking when you slot into the reverse gear. Is it correct to use hazard lights while reversing a car ?

I think it makes good sense. When you reverse, you're driving against the normal flow of traffic so using the hazard lights would be an appropriate way of cautioning the other vehicles.

[anilisanil]

I was driving on M-Pune E-way along with a few friends, as I approach a tunnel

F1: turn on the blinkers.
Me: That is only if I am in danger, why should I turn on them now?

F2: You are indeed in danger if you do not turn them on (the whole group laughs).

Me: I turned on HLs and I do not understand how it is different from driving in night, do you drive with "blinkers" on in night?

F1: Different countries have different rules for blinkers, in India you need to turn them on in tunnels, rains and fog.

Me: (After making fun of him) I read the MVA, there is no such mention.


The whole group boos me and tells me that I have become old!!! I give up!!

[radek]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

On the same thought - can a cop flag you down if you're running the parking/head lights during the day in normal circumstances.

Not sure about the legal aspect, but back in 1993 when I was in college, I was fined by traffic police for driving my bike with headlights on in the daytime. (I settled it for Rs 5). So I checked around and someone told me that headlights on during daytime indicates emergency. So should not be used otherwise.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

Parking lights are the small bulbs within the headlights which we switch ON when its little dark (evening/early morning). It works in tandem with the rear tail lights. You switch it on by turning your headlight switch by one position!!!

BTW some cars have separate parking lights other then what comes on in the 'one position' (I position).

[devsoftech]

I hope any car manual will talk of "Parking Lights". Since maruti 800 days this is in literature. Hazard light is permitted when you suffer a breakdown, or intent to play safe (you can be a potential risk to traffic). It is not moronic to use them during very heavy rain or foggy conditions - since even you as a driver can pose a threat in such conditions. It is alert mechanism at best, and I appreciate that the driver intends to signal you that he is a potential threat. Use of dual indicators to keep straight is a perfect condition. at a junction, seeing both indicators, any follower can make common sense out of it. After all, the signal is for other drivers and not to judge the driver who puts them on. I have a simple thumb rule - keep distance from a car with hazard lights on. It is used as a temporary parking notice - i can't debate on it, but as a driver I have a opportunity to move right as I can figure out that the car has parked itself, rather than honking and irritating the clueless car in front. Would you risk dropping your passengers (keep-left most kerb) by "not switching on" hazard indicator (say after some distance from bus stop). Welcome to bangalore and suffer the intolerable honking. Put a hazard indicator and people will suddenly turn human.

[SupratikDebnath]

Originally Posted by devsoftech

I hope any car manual will talk of "Parking Lights". Since maruti 800 days this is in literature. Hazard light is permitted when you suffer a breakdown, or intent to play safe (you can be a potential risk to traffic). It is not moronic to use them during very heavy rain or foggy conditions - since even you as a driver can pose a threat in such conditions. It is alert mechanism at best, and I appreciate that the driver intends to signal you that he is a potential threat. Use of dual indicators to keep straight is a perfect condition. at a junction, seeing both indicators, any follower can make common sense out of it. After all, the signal is for other drivers and not to judge the driver who puts them on. I have a simple thumb rule - keep distance from a car with hazard lights on. It is used as a temporary parking notice - i can't debate on it, but as a driver I have a opportunity to move right as I can figure out that the car has parked itself, rather than honking and irritating the clueless car in front. Would you risk dropping your passengers (keep-left most kerb) by "not switching on" hazard indicator (say after some distance from bus stop). Welcome to bangalore and suffer the intolerable honking. Put a hazard indicator and people will suddenly turn human.

You will not be able to make perfect sense and interpretation at a round-about, if a vehicle turns on hazard indicators for going straight! If you happen to be on the right / left side of that vehicle, you will interpret it wrong! And why does one needs to switch on hazard lights to go straight? Does that mean we should always have them on? Because we go straight most of the times!!

[devsoftech]

This thought cooked up just now - Is it not a good idea if left and right guys will get confused thinking the car is coming towards them - they both will slow down, works out to be safe for everyone. besides this can only happen in an unmanned/no-signal zones. this should atleast curb overspeeding/aggressive driving from other lanes.

[90BHP]

Parking lights is what people wouldn't use on a daily basis even though it is the first thing that switches on when you turn on the headlights. These are supposed to be used an indication when you are parked on the side of a busy road for people to be aware.

As for hazard lights they are the ones one should turn on when their car is broken down on the road for people to understand that this vehicle is immobile & they should steer away from it (if it is stranded on the middle of the road)

A lot of people turn on the hazard lights when they are going through tunnels (like on the Mumbai - Pune express way) or in heavy rains as they think people will not be able be see their cars clearly however, that's exactly the reason why we have parking lights & fog lights in some cases. How are you ever going to signal that you are turning or changing lanes if you have your hazard lights on ? Such car drivers are a hazard to the other sane ones on the road.

[devsoftech]

Originally Posted by 90BHP

A lot of people turn on the hazard lights when they are going through tunnels (like on the Mumbai - Pune express way) or in heavy rains as they think people will not be able be see their cars clearly however, that's exactly the reason why we have parking lights & fog lights in some cases. How are you ever going to signal that you are turning or changing lanes if you have your hazard lights on ? Such car drivers are a hazard to the other sane ones on the road.

Do all cars in mumbai have fog lamps ? What about those cars not having fog lamps (at front and back). When other 'sane' drivers approach such cars, please elaborate how the sane driver is affected. I can only see that the so called sane driver will be forced to decelerate. Also, 'sane' drivers are supposed to maintain distance from such cars and overtake if situation warrants. Rains, fogs and tunnels are not right places to overtake. we should keep right or stick on same lane. this is more of a lane discipline problem and then the ignorance. hazard lights should not be a discomfort. I'm speaking from my experience and i'm glad the cars in front have "put forward" their intent of being a hazard. That makes them sane and I can apply my wisdom instead. On a similar note, some experienced drivers put a "L" sticker on their new cars to avoid b2b kisses. it pays well to play safe always. on the road, we need to be backwards compatible with everyone else. When I had an Alto, I had no option apart from blinkers during the fog. May be to some I was insane. but then there was no mishap either. Now with a current generation car I have all gizmos. I do use the fog lamps - How do I educate the driver at back, who does not understand these european style fog lamps ? he might think i'm driving with brakes on due to his ignorance/compatibility with european tail lamps. At the end, my intent is not just to tell the rear driver than i'm driving, is about a protocol to warn "lets play safe".

Recent studies have shown that flashing lights attract attention - same goes for ambulance. as per RTO, is may not be the right thing to do, but then in the books it is not an offence either - please correct me.

[90BHP]

Its my point of view of things & not a criticism of anyone.
I believe that hazard lights should be used for the purpose that they are designed for & not for attracting attention. People will be unable to signal their intention to change lanes if they drive with these lights on & may end up getting rear ended as people would expect a car with hazard lights on to be immobile & not come in their path.
Apologies if i have said something wrong or have hurt somebody, was not my intention.

[anilisanil]

Originally Posted by devsoftech

I hope any car manual will talk of "Parking Lights". Since maruti 800 days this is in literature. Hazard light is permitted when you suffer a breakdown, or intent to play safe (you can be a potential risk to traffic). It is not moronic to use them during very heavy rain or foggy conditions - since even you as a driver can pose a threat in such conditions. It is alert mechanism at best, and I appreciate that the driver intends to signal you that he is a potential threat. Use of dual indicators to keep straight is a perfect condition. at a junction, seeing both indicators, any follower can make common sense out of it. After all, the signal is for other drivers and not to judge the driver who puts them on. I have a simple thumb rule - keep distance from a car with hazard lights on. It is used as a temporary parking notice - i can't debate on it, but as a driver I have a opportunity to move right as I can figure out that the car has parked itself, rather than honking and irritating the clueless car in front. Would you risk dropping your passengers (keep-left most kerb) by "not switching on" hazard indicator (say after some distance from bus stop). Welcome to bangalore and suffer the intolerable honking. Put a hazard indicator and people will suddenly turn human.

basically what you mean to say is, I show you a cow, but you say no, it has four legs, two horns, two ears and it can be milked and hence it is a buffalo, then tell me mate who can argue with you?

This thread is about what according to rule book, are parking lights and what are hazard lights and when to use them. Not about what you make out about them.

And when I last checked it is state that makes laws and citizens follow it. don't tell me it is OK to travel on the wrong side of the road if mine is jammed and it is OK to jump the signal if there is no one around. No wonder there is so much chaos around us!

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by devsoftech

Do all cars in mumbai have fog lamps ? What about those cars not having fog lamps (at front and back).

In which case use your headlamps; not in Hi beam but in Lo beam. And definitely not flashers. Imagine every one with flashers on in tunnels and there will be total brouhaha.

[devsoftech]

Originally Posted by anilisanil

And when I last checked it is state that makes laws and citizens follow it. don't tell me it is OK to travel on the wrong side of the road if mine is jammed and it is OK to jump the signal if there is no one around. No wonder there is so much chaos around us!

I am not encouraging to break a rule here (though out-of-context here), and (to wider audience) my apologies, if my posts give such impression.

And I believe that the fact that "parking lights" and "hazard lights" are different has not been skewed in my posts. I started my post with the same cause - just that the implicit message was ignored.

Flashing lights - I literally meant "blinking" lights, my bad

I enjoyed the analogy of cow v/s buffalo, gave me a much needed smile.
I'm wanting to clarify some things here:

1. Is usage of hazard light in temporary stopping, fogs and rains unacceptable - If yes, then why ?
2. Do RTO rules vary from state-to-state or, is it cultural ?

Disclaimer: What I do in daily life may not be the best practice. As a team-bhp'ian lets work together to help ourselves stand corrected and follow sound advice.

[anilisanil]

Originally Posted by devsoftech

1. Is usage of hazard light in temporary stopping, fogs and rains unacceptable - If yes, then why ?

Hazard lights are emergency lights and they signify that the vehicle in question has technical problems and hence cannot go any faster or cannot move at all. And that was how the rules were designed for traffic system!
2. Do RTO rules vary from state-to-state or, is it cultural ?
rules generally remain same except in cases where you have to accommodate certain state legislation
Disclaimer: What I do in daily life may not be the best practice. As a team-bhp'ian lets work together to help ourselves stand corrected and follow sound advice.

I appreciate your taking the reply in good humor. My reply was for suggestion to use hazard lights as a signal for going straight and for advocating confusion caused as a mechanism to slow down people, which obviously is wrong.

Though imperative that you did not recommend anyone to break a rule, thinking that a certain way of using the hazard lights is ok was in lines (it is different matter that majority think otherwise)

Your questions answered above!!

[Parm]

i have used the hazard lights/warning lights in various driving and stationary conditions and the usage was perfectly alright and other drivers got my message.

i once used the hazard lights/warning lights along with my headlights switched on during the daytime, while i was rushing my little daughter to the hospital. other cars gave me way and i reached hospital without any delays.

i use hazard lights/warning lights when i stop on a street with no parking available, just to buy something from the shop quickly.

i use hazard lights/warning lights when there is sudden traffic build up and every one is braking hard.

i use hazard lights/warning lights while coming out in reverse from a parking slot.

i use hazard lights/warning lights while standing on a shoulder for a break.

i use hazard lights/warning lights twice to say 'Thank you' or 'sorry' when i break into a lane or some one gives me way...

i never use hazard lights/warning lights in rain or fog, it gives out a confusing signal to other drivers.

i have seen large service centres using hazard lights/warning lights while the cars are driven inside their service centres.

i have seen police escorts using hazard lights/warning lights in a convoy, escorting armoured cash vans, diplomatic convoy etc.

various countries....various usages....