Do you drive slowly up mountains under 40 MPH with 4-way hazard lights flashing so all behind, day or night know that we are far under the highway speed limit?
Well, just read to my surprise, this safe driving habit is clearly illegal in most states.
Map shows a summary of state laws.
Looks like we are only going to turn on flashers when we are parked.
Yup it was a question on the test.
That is strange; all the semis fire the flashers, I do when pulling steep and will continue to do so; seems like common sense! ^.^d
Wouldn't it be unusual to get pulled over for having your E flashers on.... and ticketed.
Actually when I worked the road nobody used flashers for slow moving then some states had signs saying under 40muse flashers and now they are used everywhere it seems.
Very interesting...
We see many "tow boys"in our area,taking auction vehicles down south to repair,many don't have legal lighting so they run the flashers.
We just pulled the grade from camp Verde to flag and every truck I passed had his flasher on, when I drove over the road used my flashers to let the crazies know I was not doing eighty. Just saying,😁👍
To me they are EMERGENCY flashers, moving, at any speed is not an emergency... just saying
Unless someone rear ends you doing 80 I guess. I always turn on the flashers when going up grades at less than 45. It gives the cell phone goggling crowd another clue that they're about to end their life Darwin style. But do what makes you happy. 😉
If they don't see the back of a huge white Motorhome, 2 small yellow lights aren't gonna make any difference, but do what makes you comfortable...🚌
Oh I think that they will see a big white MH, but without the FlAcHeRs they are less likely to realize your traveling 40 mph slower and move over.
When my charge air cooler cracked and I had to head up the 3000 foot climb on I 84 in eastern Oregon, I had my flashers on for over 15 minutes. I could care less if a police officer didn't like it. I have done the same in New Mexico.
Hazard lights are called that for a reason, if questioned just say your safely proceeding at a reduced rate to a safe area of refuge, while trying to alert overtaking traffic due to an issue. Emergency lights are for speeding.
Actually...........this is California law and probably most states follow.......CVC section 25268
No person shall display a flashing amber warning light on a vehicle as permitted by this code except when an unusual traffic hazard exists.
For a lot of more info, Google "4-way flashers legal"
Some results:
Using Flashers when climbing up a grade | TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum... (http://bit.ly/2Y5ovPM)
Warning: You May Be Using Your Hazard Lights Incorrectly (http://bit.ly/2TehyYK)
Below is another summary of laws by state:
It is my understanding that it is a National DOT rule to used your flasher below 45mph for trucks.
Roy
Interesting that there are state laws that conflict over a safety issue. I doubt that everyone is supposed to learn all the different state laws regarding slow speed use of hazard flashers. In the dark climbing grades they alert the speeders in the right lane that there is a slow vehicle ahead. I witnessed a major accident on the 101 in the San Fernando Valley where a car in the right lane was using it as a passing lane and crashed into the back of a slow moving truck causing a domino effect of many cars. Because it was not on a grade and the truck had just entered the freeway no hazard lights were used. Had it been daylight the car might have stopped in time.
We use our flashers if I think the situation warrants it. If I get stopped by the law, I'll plead ignorance. Usually works for me. Wonder why....?
Wonder why....?
YES
dummy
To a certain extent I'm guided by the professional truck drivers. I've not traveled in those States that forbid flasher use, but when I'm driving at a speed that is more than 20 mph below the posted speed limit I'll generally turn the flashers on.
It's not my fault...
Not only do I use the 4 way flashers on a long, slow grade, if I see a slowdown ahead of me or a traffic hazard on the shoulder, I fire them off then as well. Want to give the morons texting behind me as much notice as possible. Also would rather have a conversation with John Law about hazard flasher laws, than watch him make out an accident report.
40 MPH Uphill ????
I don't understand the question... (29,000 pound U320 with 450HP :D )
I can pass semis on a 7% grade, but 45/50 mph is about it for me, so I alternate using the 4-ways. Wonder if there is some stupid law about having one's retarder tied into the brake lights during a drop? :facepalm:
I'd Frame any ticket I got for that! It would be up in the Motorhome, for all to see, and as a Future Conversation piece too! Stupid Laws from even More Stupid Lawmakers, I'd have to say? I'd also Laugh like a Hyena, every second the Cop was close enough to hear me, Immediately after he told me so! I use MY 4-Ways, Always when I feel it is necessary. If the Traffic is full of Speed Demons, and on Grades! And just wait 'till I find the LED's I want and the Arrangements to suit me! I will be seen, trust me! And even as Huge as we are, some folks just don't get that you are not going to be as fast, at least I have found? I also use it on the Curvy Swervy's, in any grade! I have been known to use the Horn as well, on those, especially on Hard, Right Turns, ( Boone NC etc. ) and try and be as Courteous as I can and Safely use Turn-Outs, to allow Vehicles to go the Speed Limits. It is Real Easy to throw that Dinghy in a ditch, or wound the right side of the vehicle with Rock Outcroppings!
I recently Received my Nifty GPS designed Specifically for Hazardous Roads not Suitable for our RV's, and will make judicious use of it! I sure have been on some roads that were Too Narrow, or Winding my way, threading as carefully as possible, has been a Mystery in the past, that I wish to avoid, as much as I can! I do not care for a White Knuckle Express, while operating!
I had a Brother that a School Bus took up more than Half his lane, in a Blind Left Sharp Turn ( Heavily Wooded Area ) and that bus hit him Head-On, while on a Murdersickle! (Motorcycle) back in 1974! The Bus WON! He lived, but Ironically he was a School Teacher, and had Lifelong Issues since that terrible day! I'd rather a Driver that I can't see on Narrow Roads know in advance that I may be a Tad over the Centerline, than to end up Killing Someone! And Behind me, allowing the Following Vehicle understand I am SLOW for a reason, as well!
Traffic Safety, to me, should be Determined by an Operator, and Never an Idiot Bureaucrat. They are responsible to warn us of Hazards on our Roadways, I feel, we are to Determine and also be Responsible, for the Safe Operation of our Vehicles, PERIOD!
Also, there is even a Difference in the Terminology written in all Vehicle's Manuals! Parking Lights, on most of our coaches is the Half Way Position, Pulled out, and The Hazards are generally described, as when needed in ANY Emergency! This really Spun me up, and Indicative of Individual State Laws, that are made to trip you up, for a Useless, Meaningless, Violation of a Law, and in MY case, of over 52 Years, operating on the Roadways. I Drove Farm Tractors at age 12, WITH THE 4 WAYS, ILLUMINATED.... Imagine that?
I must say, I NEVER saw this guideline Map and never knew such Laws even existed? I appreciate the Heads up, of course, and will be more aware as to what I will be Pulled over for, in the Future, and for that, I thank you!
Must be going downhill, Mike. ;D
jor
Ha! One HUGE problem I had when first driving the coach was, HOW FAST she is! I researched all the gauge parameters and found I was right on the money. I'd never been able to do more than 30 with the Airstream, and even then, she heated up. The only time I lose speed is when I get behind some slow poke and lose all the momentum; she then drops down to 35/40 and I never re-gain speed. The lack of a DW having a rock collection is a big plus! ^.^d BTW, John, I see you had a U-225.......Big difference!