Four Way Flashers

[1990C4S]

I'm moving to Alaska.

[David]

Many new cars will activate the hazard lights when ABS braking is activated.

[Seahawk]

I use my flashers all the time.

The area where I live is popular with bicyclists...the roads are narrow and often hilly and curvy with limited passing opportunities.

When I come upon the cyclists and can't pass right away, I always turn on my flashers since these roads are also popular with sports car enthusiasts and motorcyclists.

As soon as I am clear they get turned off.

[KFC911]

I'm gonna start in Wilmington, I-40 to LA....
Flashin' my way across the USA

[oldE]

Paul, Your use of flashers to alert other drivers is very much in keeping with the laws around here (and in Co.) On our major highways you will see signs (usually on the hills) "Use 4-way Flashers Under 70 kph"
Similarly, I will use them if I am stopped for construction and I am the last vehicle in the line up, just to give another visual 'Heads up' to traffic coming up behind me.
If I were driving in rain which was coming down hard enough that I felt the need to turn on the 4-ways, I would probably be stopped until it was safe to proceed.

Didn't we just have this conversation a couple of years ago?

Best
Les

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by oldE

...

Didn't we just have this conversation a couple of years ago?

Could've been just a few weeks ago ....can't recall...

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I use my flashers all the time.

The area where I live is popular with bicyclists...the roads are narrow and often hilly and curvy with limited passing opportunities.

When I come upon the cyclists and can't pass right away, I always turn on my flashers since these roads are also popular with sports car enthusiasts and motorcyclists.

As soon as I am clear they get turned off.

Local PCA encourages the use of flashers when encountering cyclists on the road during the club drives on the back roads. This is to alert the cars at the back of the group about a hazard ahead.

[95avblm3]

Not to beat a dead horse but the real problem with using flashers in the rain is that you can't distinguish who is actually stopped on the side of the road and who is still moving. Stupid.

One practice that is commonplace here in Germany and makes a lot of sense, particularly on the German autobahns is the use of 4-ways when traffic comes to a stop. It's a (slightly) early warning sign of an impending stau and makes it obvious who is paying attention. In the US, I suppose you would have to put your phone down to observe and react but not sure that is going to happen.

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by 95avblm3

Not to beat a dead horse but the real problem with using flashers in the rain is that you can't distinguish who is actually stopped on the side of the road and who is still moving. Stupid.

I agree 100% !

I have seen many drivers in Raleigh on a 3 lane highway driving 30 to 40 MPH hour in the pouring rain with the hazards flashing (sometimes without the lights on) while in the left lane while vehicles are flying by them on the right lane

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by KC911

Could've been just a few weeks ago ....can't recall...

There was a thread on 'using flashers in the rain', which I think is generally unnecessary but not grounds for execution.

Using your flashers on bridge, on a clear sunny day, with unobstructed traffic, is grounds for pushing the car over the guardrail.

[vonsmog]

Around here funeral processions use flashers and there is normally a motorcycle cop (off duty) or someone dressed like one, which stops traffic at all intersections to let the funeral pass. That is about the only time you see someone using them, unless they are pulled off the road.

[911 Rod]

I always thought 4 way flashers were for when you are stopped in a vulnerable position.

[Tervuren]

It should be taught that once whatever traffic is behind you gets their speed down to yours, you turn the flasher off.

Leaving them on means you can't effectively use your blinkers - that is dangerous.

Some cars have really blinding ones, very annoying.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I travel back and forth across the border a lot. Like multiple times per week.

Why do people find it necessary to put on their four ways to cross a ****ing bridge? It drives me crazy.

At least 25% of people do this. I don't get it...traffic is NOT stopped.

Young kid at work told me today if you put the hazards on it will bypass the max speed governer.... Maybe they are haulin *ss across bridges with no cops.

[DonDavis]

I use flashers for tailgaters. If I cannot see their headlights and/or the road directly behind me in my rear view, they're too close. I hit the flashers or about 4-5 rounds. Almost without fail they back off immediately.

Because tailgaters fall into one of two categories...1-intentional, or 2-not intentional.
If 1- simply do not realize how close they are, flashers alert them, they have an “ah..” moment and back off.

If 2- I do the same, they respond by either backing off, or passing me.

In both scenarios I do not alter my driving because someone is inattentive or aggressive. Win-win.

In the extremely rare occasion none of the above work, I choose a good clear section of the next lane and move over when it’s safe.

And for Pete’s sake, there are literally 20+ items that are far, far more important to traffic flow than who is in what lane. It really is one of the least important things affecting flow.

Like merging, or using a lane that’s ending, or not stopping in a crosswalk, or how far ahead drivers look, or how often they check their mirrors.

People insist they are very good drivers when they do not understand the actual question.

Don’t confuse “operating a vehicle” with “understanding how traffic flows”.

Last thing, what follow on training has anyone had aside from high school era drivers ed?
And dont count “traffic school” for a infraction.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by 95avblm3

Not to beat a dead horse but the real problem with using flashers in the rain is that you can't distinguish who is actually stopped on the side of the road and who is still moving. Stupid..

+1
If you are stopped on the side of the road you are no longer slow moving traffic - you shouldn’t have your flashers on because you aren’t moving and you aren’t traffic. Use flashers to indicate slow moving vehicles in a driving lane.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by cashman

Maybe they are haulin *ss across bridges with no cops.

Absolutely not. The bridge speed is ridiculously low, 30 MPH. And lots of people refuse to exceed it.

I suspect with a lot of people it's fear of heights.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Absolutely not. The bridge speed is ridiculously low, 30 MPH. And lots of people refuse to exceed it.

I suspect with a lot of people it's fear of heights.

No doubt.

I cross the Harry Nice Bridge at least once a week - Route 301 bridge over the Potomac: Very narrow and steep.

People don't use their flasher but the speeds can get really slow, especially in winds!

One of my partners will not drive this bridge since he gets vertigo.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by KC911

I'm gonna start in Wilmington, I-40 to LA....
Flashin' my way across the USA

I-40 does not get near LA. It just stops in the lovely town of Barstow, CA. BTDT. I have driven I-40 from Oklahoma City to Barstow, and back. And I have driven from Oklahoma City all the way to Hickory, NC.

[Racerbvd]

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DonDavis

What?!?!

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Join Date: Mar 2002

Location: Mesa, Az

Posts: 3,335

Garage

I use flashers for tailgaters. If I cannot see their headlights and/or the road directly behind me in my rear view, they're too close. I hit the flashers or about 4-5 rounds. Almost without fail they back off immediately.

Maybe if you paid more attention to your mirrors and moved over before faster traffic got to you, you wouldn't have that issue.

Location: North of You

Posts: 6,136

Quote:

Originally Posted by*cashman*

Maybe they are haulin *ss across bridges with no cops.

Absolutely not. The bridge speed is ridiculously low, 30 MPH. And lots of people refuse to exceed it.

I suspect with a lot of people it's fear of heights.

__________________

We have the Buckman bridge, 3 miles long, not very high, part of the highway, wide, and idiots still slow down below the speed limit . Anytime there is an accident, some idiots cry the bridge is dangerous and they need to lower the speed limit, truth is, most of the accidents are caused by the bug holes going slower than the rest of traffic and more people die on other roads in the area every year than have died on the bridge since it opened.