Driving in a rainstorm with emergency flashers on: Is this something that is taught?

[SacredCow]

Yesterday, there was a nasty rainstorm during my evening commute home. On the interstate, traffic had slowed appropriately, IMHO- the flow was probably 35 to 45 mph, and given the rain and wind I wouldn't have wanted to go much faster than that.

I was taught in driver's ed that emergency flashers were for when you were STOPPED, or planning to stop, on the side of the road- period. But last night, I think at least 60% of the cars on the road were running their flashers. I'm sorry, but this is NOT safe! All of those lights flashing at different times and speeds, not to mention the fact that it makes brake lights harder to see and eliminates the use of turn signals.

Who is teaching that this is the right thing to do? If you're not comfortable driving in the rain, then you need to pull off of the road- THEN, the emergency flashers are appropriate.

[Bertha Venation]

1. When driving in a severe thunderstorm, I turn on my blinkers

so that I am seen by other drivers.

If it's too severe, I pull over, but I leave my blinkers on so that I am seen.

[SacredCow]

3. Pulled over- absolutely. They SHOULD be on.

I can maybe understand using them if there are few other cars on the interstate, and someone might come flying up behind you.

But what I was in last night was rather heavy traffic and a rainstorm. Emergency flashers are pretty damn bright (as they should be) so all of those lights blinking in my face, casting reflections on the wet road made the visibility a thousand times worse.

[CBGLuthier]

2. I agree, but here is the first thing I found

From the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual: "If you must drive below 40 miles per hour on a limited access highway, use your emergency flashers to warn the drivers behind you.

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-19987956.html

then you got this

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 7. Emergency lights are "to be operated only when the vehicle is disabled or stopped in the event of emergency on or at the side of any way."


Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/automotive/170097-rain-driving-enough-flashers-3.html#ixzz0ZmGf0ROE

So I assume one should check their manuals as what is illegal in one state is not only legal but REQUIRED in another.

[SacredCow]

4. I spoke with a co-worker (part time deputy) to see what he knew.

He said there really wasn't anything mandating or banning the use of flashers while driving. He said it was probably a good practice if you were driving slow for whatever reason on a dark road and there was a possibility of someone coming flying up behind you. But in my scenario from last night, he just chalked it up to stupidity and/or people trying to err on the side of caution but doing more harm than good.

[LynneSin]

5. I was going to say that I was taught to use the blinkers when driving much slower than normal

I learned in Pennsylvania.

The reasoning - so cars approaching you know to slow down as they near you.

[semillama]

6. I've found that in driving rain on highways

that the blinkers are easier to see than the normal static tail lights, but that's just me.

[SacredCow]

7. Yeah, they're certainly easier to see, because they're much more bright....

And on a dark stretch of interstate, having half a dozen cars in your field of view, all with their flashers on makes your pupils constrict, which is NOT what you'd want. At one point last night, a gigantic SUV got beside me with the side-marker light flashing right at the level of my window and my face. It was all just WAY too much light coming right at your face at night to be safe.

[snooper2]

8. I turn my on so idiots can see me...

-and the last big storm we had here in Texas was a mother. Sideways rain and everyone was stopped on the road for a minute, then we started moving at about 5 mph. Everyone had their flashers on or did it just because I did and was in front :)
Lasted about 5 minutes then normal rain but that's Texas.

Also, it doesn't make brake lights harder to see because by design all flasher systems stop/pause when the brakes lights are activated. So you get two solid brake lights; along with the third brake light.

The flashing lights at different times and speeds confuse you :eyes:

[SacredCow]

9. Bully for you...

Why don't you get a lighthouse for the top of your car, too?

:eyes:

[snooper2]

10. novel concept...

I drive an 03' Dodge Dakota Quad Cab so it might look nice in the bed :rofl:


But honestly, everyone around here does it because A, we have some wicked ass flash storms that come through here. That last one a couple months back I swear the wind just about blew my truck sideways, we had 80mph gusts that day. And B, you can barely see five feet past your hood and regular tail lights just are not bright enough.


I found something you might be able to use when you find yourself in this situation though, remember seeing them on some late night infomercial...make a good stocking stuffer :P

[SacredCow]

11. This storm was nowhere close to that....

It was windy and rainy, but there was absolutely no problem seeing normal tail lights because it was also completely dark (The several previous miles on a regular 2 lane highway proved that- and nobody had their emergency lights on). Hell, I didn't even have my windshield wipers on high (for much of the time, they were on the fastest intermittant setting, come to think of it).

[stray cat]

33. Were the drivers going the normal speed limit then?

if so then blinkers are strange - they are a warning that someone is stopped or moving very slow

[SacredCow]

35. Traffic was moving 35 to 45 mph...

So slower than the posted limit of 70. But the thing is, it was heavy traffic- there were no breaks larger than 3 or 4 car lengths. It was a solid mass of cars moving along at a similar speed (except for the idiots that were trying to weave through to go faster, but they're always there- rain or shine). There was really no danger of anyone coming up behind you and not seeing you in time.

It was a decent storm, but certainly not the worst I've seen. And the visibility was made WORSE by all of the flashers going all over the place- not better.

[A HERETIC I AM]

12. Driving in the rain is not an emergency situation.

It's a stupid thing to do. Flashers are for emergencies or hazards (as in, you ARE one if your hazards are flashing) not for low visibility situations. If you are so concerned that you can't be seen while driving, get the hell off the road, stop and THEN put them on.

Americans are among the worst trained drivers in the industrialized world.

[SacredCow]

13. That's what I was taught.

Flashers if you're stopped on the side of the road, or in the process of stopping.

If the visibility is poor, you slow down until you feel comfortable. If you feel unsafe at any speed- you should probably get off the road.

[LynneSin]

15. If someone is driving way below the speed limit THAT IS A HAZARD!!!

And trust me, there are many many reasons someone may be on the highway driving slower than usually. Severe weather is just one of them, perhaps a car that is barely driving for some reason is another (I've had my car breakdown along the side of the road and it was drivable at about 30MPH and I was 5 miles from home - I put my flashers on).

Here's the thing, those flashers are very visable and if you're flying around the corner and see them, then you'll know ahead of time to either slow down or get over into the other lane to pass. Those flashers can save lives.

But I guess you're too busy driving like an idiot to care what could be going on around you.

[A HERETIC I AM]

18. I've got over one and a half million miles of driving in all kinds of weather and terrain...

under my belt. I've had a drivers license since 1975 and a commercial drivers license since 1978. I've driven in zero visibility situations, hurricane conditions, blizzards, dust storms, snow storms, white-outs, white ice, black ice and bright sunshine. I've got twenty years experience driving tractor trailers in every one of the lower 48 states and 3 Canadian provinces. I've driven through the Rockies and the Appalachians in the winter dozens of times and I've driven across every great desert and plain in this country. I've been driving automobiles and riding motorcycles since before I was out of high school. The number of miles of the interstate system in this country I haven't driven on is probably less than the total miles you drive in a week.

In all that time, I've had ONE chargeable accident and that was on a sunny day, on a dry road, in a car almost 30 years ago.

I drove and do drive FOR A LIVING. Do you? If not, please don't presume to lecture me, madam.

If someone is driving way below the speed limit THAT IS A HAZARD!!! And trust me, there are many many reasons someone may be on the highway driving slower than usually.

No kidding. I pretty much said that in my post. "Flashers are for emergencies or hazards (as in, you ARE one if your hazards are flashing)"

Severe weather is just one of them

No, it isn't. If you are driving with the flow of traffic, whether that is 5 mph or 105, it is NOT an emergency situation REGARDLESS of weather conditions.

perhaps a car that is barely driving for some reason is another (I've had my car breakdown along the side of the road and it was drivable at about 30MPH and I was 5 miles from home - I put my flashers on).

That is a completely different scenario. I've been in a similar situation and then yes, it would be acceptable because YOU are the hazard. I've had to have my car towed using another car and a tow-rope (most of us have had to do that at one time or another) and that would be another perfectly acceptable reason to have your 4-ways on. Driving along in the rain in a perfectly operating automobile is not.

Here's the thing, those flashers are very visable and if you're flying around the corner and see them, then you'll know ahead of time to either slow down or get over into the other lane to pass. Those flashers can save lives.

"If you're flying around the corner" then pardon me, but you're an idiot. The number of sections in the interstate and beltway system in this country that have corners so tight your visibility is that limited can be counted on one hand. Again, if you are driving with the flow of traffic, it isn't an emergency situation.

But I guess you're too busy driving like an idiot to care what could be going on around you.

Laughable. You know, from a truckers perspective, this statement is a perfect example of someone who is speaking from what they assume is a position of authority on the subject, but in truth it is one of ignorance. I don't drive like an idiot. I know this because I don't put my flashers on when it starts raining. Idiots do, however.

If you want to campaign for a safety rule that actually WILL save lives but is commonly ignored, campaign for all drivers to have their headlights on when their windshield wipers are operating. Just turn on your headlights when it's wet. Simple. Also, if you are driving away from the sun in the morning or evening, turn on your headlights. Do you do that? Are you aware how much harder it is for an oncoming car to see you if they are driving toward you and the setting or rising sun? How about "keep right except to pass"? Do you follow that religiously? If American drivers followed that rule as diligently as the Germans do, we would see a dramatic drop in highway accidents. How about not "side gaiting" or "pacing" another car? Do you ever do that on a multi lane road? Encourage others to complete a pass and get over. That would save lives too.

Just use your 4-way flashers for what they were designed for; Alerting other drivers to potential hazards.

Rain falling from the sky ain't one of them.

[LynneSin]

19. So then you interviewed the person using the flashers that annoyed you

and know for a fact he/she was not using them for the right reasons

:eyes:

seriously!

[A HERETIC I AM]

20. I didn't start this thread! The OP isn't about an experience I had, for crying out loud.

I responded to the OP with my opinion, based on my experience. You responded to my reply with a different opinion. I attempted to give you a professionals perspective.

There is no "he/she" in this conversation, for fucks sake.

Let me recap; SacredCow asked if driving in the rain with your flashers on was taught (presumably by drivers education courses) and said he was taught they were NOT for such purposes.

I stated that it was not appropriate and a stupid thing to do.

You disagreed and gave me several reasons why you thought so.

I took those apart carefully and reasonably to show why your opinion was misinformed.

You come back and wanted to know if I interviewed someone.

And you give ME the rolling eyes smiley!

Here's a couple of smileys for you;



:silly: :wtf: :spray: :rofl:

[LynneSin]

23. awwww I love you too - here's a smilie just for you

[A HERETIC I AM]

24. Awww. Thanks. Here's something for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UApx2N1qJKw

[auntAgonist]

22. I wish I could recommend this post! I have held a

commercial driver's license since 1977 doing pretty much everything you logged in your post. Your last paragraph re campaigning for safety is spot on.

People should spend the day in a truck on the highway at least one time in their lives, they'd gain a whole new perspective.

A huge pet peeve of mine is 4 way flashers in a dense fog or snow storm. You cannot hardly tell where the car is on the road when all you can see is flashing lights.

aA
kesha

[Lucian]

27. Agreed.

:thumbsup:

[stray cat]

31. Haven't you ever been in a real downpour where you are going 10 mph because visibility is 0?

that is common around here. Pulling over when there is no shoulder and no one can see you is even more dangerous than going slow.

[gmoney]

14. If the weather is very bad, and I'm forced to go very slow, I'd consider it

If I'm slowed way down due to the weather/ traffic in front of me, but it's wide open behind me, I might turn on the flashers so the approaching cars slow down BEFORE they're right on top of me with no room to slow/stop on wet or icy pavement.

[LynneSin]

16. I had to drive home one time with a car that would not accelerate past 30MPH

I could have left the car along the side of the road in hopes of getting help (this was before everyone had cell phones) or I could just drive home the 5 miles from where I was on I-95 doing 30MPH. I did the latter. The flashers were a sign to other drives that my car was not functioning properly and driving slower than normal. It's a safety thing to do. I can be tough to judge the speed of the car ahead of you until sometimes it was too late.

[snooper2]

17. And when you grow up in the country...

you learn to do things, like pull your buddies car home with a tow rope...

again, flashers on :)

[kentauros]

21. Heavy downpours are common here, so it's not normal to use the flashers.

However, I do use them in extra-thick fog, the kind that slows you down to 20mph in a 60mph zone. Mainly because there are enough stupid drivers here that will cruise right on through such fog as if they haven't a care in the world...

[flvegan]

25. If it's not taught, it should be.

The flashers are brighter than the normal brightness of the steady lights that come on when the headlights are on from behind. When it's pouring and awful, it's far easier to see a car with flashers on than not on.

Besides, as others have said, if one is driving far slower than the normal speed limit, then flashers are appropriate.

[XemaSab]

26. I turn on the blinkers when there is a road hazard

For example, the other day the car in front of me hit a box on the freeway.

I slowed WAY down, and though I avoided the box, I put on the blinkers to let other cars know it was there.

[LeftyMom]

28. It's mandatory here to put headlights on in the rain, but that's all.

Flashers are for an emergency. Rain is not an emergency, and the cars around you already know it's fucking raining because it's raining on them too.

In related news, when I'm in charge the only death penalty offense will be mounting those damned bluish aftermarket headlights on any vehicle that sits high enough they'll be in the eyes of drivers with normal cars.

[BlueCollar]

29. I'll put them on in the rain

if I notice traffic coming up from behind. I drive in Texas where tailgating at high-speed is the natural driving style. I believe some call it drafting.

Add the IQ of a population that consistently votes for the right-wing and you'll understand.

[stray cat]

30. Blinkers are often a warning that a driver is going much slower than normal

If I am going 20 mph on a highway because I can't see - blinkers are in order

[Orrex]

32. I turn my emergency flashers on when I'm not turning at an intersection

It's pretty simple, really:

Left blinker means I'm going left
Right blinker means I'm going right
Both blinkers means I'm going straight

[Deep13]

34. Nope, anytime the car poses a special hazzard. nt