[Now that summer is upon us, I’m repeating advice that I shared in 2011 and again in 2023 and 2024. Pass it on.]
If you’re driving on a highway and the traffic suddenly slows or stops, and the vehicles behind you are at some distance:
1. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Leave significant space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
3. Keep checking your rear-view mirror.
4. After someone has come up behind you, turn your hazard lights off.
If someone is coming up behind you and not paying full attention, your hazard lights might catch their eye and prompt them to slow down or stop in time. If not, the free space in front of your vehicle might lessen the severity of a collision.
I called the Illinois State Police to ask what they thought about using hazard lights in this way. A desk sergeant said it was the right thing to do and added the second and third points. I do those things without thinking and wouldn’t have thought to add them. I’ve added the fourth point for clarity.
Drivers of big rigs appear to make a habit of using their hazard lights in this way. Laypeople, not so much. Thus I’m repeating myself.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Turn on your hazard lights (once again)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
comments: 5
I hit the brakes lightly in those circumstances but I like your idea better.
Why is this advice more relevant in the summer and not year round?
Of course it’s relevant all year around, but if I’m going to post it once a year, the beginning of summer seems like the best time — long drives, vacations.
As someone who frequently finds himself driving in ground blizzards (and uses this advice), I recommend posting this at least twice a year. September should do just fine.
Thanks for your reply.
Post a Comment