Driving in a rain storm with Hazzards/Flashers on?

[JanMichael]

I see it all the time on I-75.

[ixion]

1. This always amazed me when I lived in Florida...

A down pour would hit, everyone would turn on their hazards and drive 5 m.p.h.
Hilarious. :-)

[LynneSin]

2. This just happened to me on Saturday night

I was driving on I-95 south when the absolutely worst storm came through the area. The wind was strong and the rain was flying horizontal. It was also about midnight and the lighting was horrible on that section of the highway.

I would have prefered to pullover and wait the storm out but since there was no highway lighting, I felt that my car wouldn't have been any safer along the side of the road than just to keep driving.

That is the only reason I drove in the rain with my blinkers on and I think it was well justified.

[NashVegas]

4. You Were Right to

Anytime you are driving drastically lower than the speed limit, you should have your emergency flashers on to alert other drivers who may be zooming up behind you.

At least that's what they told us in Drivers Education lo those years ago.

[JanMichael]

7. I guess my point is that they're a distraction in heavy rain.

http://www.engen.co.za/downloads/trucking_with_engen/Driving%20hazards.pdf

I don't think any driving safety organisation encourages it.

[northzax]

3. yes, BUT

only when the conditions are such that anything else is hazardous. I was caught in the downpour that hit Boston last week (post-Isabel) I was on 95 south, and ran into rain like I have rarely seen, going faster than ten-fifteen mph would have been stupid, there was standing water on the road (about an inch in most places) and visibility was maybe 25-30 feet, that particular cloudburst was dropping over 4 inches/hour. that is a deluge. pulling over is unsafe, all you can do is keep driving at slow speeds with hazards on.

but that is a rare, rare, exception to the rule../

[Castilleja]

5. I think this is a really interesting action

I have just begun seeing this behavior locally, as we have been getting scads of rain this month. The city I live in is notable for the insane drivers, lack of blinkers, no consideration for weather or road conditions. etc. When we get rain, normally it is just full speed ahead, (accident news at 6 and 10).

But this month I kept noticing people driving slow, AND with their hazards on! It is catching too. I can't figure out where this came from, any one know?

[NashVegas]

6. See #4

scenario -

speed limit 55

for whatever reason, be it hard rain, car troubles, what have you, you're going 35.

if someone is zooming up behind you, and they're going fast enough (ie, speedling like a madman), they are less likely have time to properly gauge your speed and slow down before they read-end your ass.

[JanMichael]

8. People seem to have confused truckers habits with passenger vehicle...

...safety.

Your scenario is precisely (rightly so) why semi-s do it on steep grades but every site that I found says that flashers are a distraction in heavy rain. They are not making anyone any safer.

[NashVegas]

9. I Feel the Same Way

About Daytime running lights. But people do it cause it makes them feel safer.

[JanMichael]

10. The one really bad thing about the flashers in rain...

...is when someone changes lanes...The turn-signal is, well, already flashing.

I'm talking about people creating a more dangerous situation out of an already dangerous one. Not just a pet peeve.

[Misinformed01]

11. I would use the blinkers IF

I could find them on the Subaru. I also can't find the back windshield wiper button-I don't actually need it, but I think it's cool that I have one, and want to.

That said, I think it's safer to use the blinkers if you are in a situation where you cannot pull off and go to the Waffle House...and if the blinkers are working correctly-IE, can't be mistaken for a turn signal because only one is working.

Pulling off on the shoulder is generally stupid unless you are in a situation where you can get out of the car and leave it--in my opinion it's safer to drive slowly to an exit with your blinkers on to warn other drivers that are convinced they are not hydroplaning, and are listening to loud rock music.

Your point was that the blinkers are a distraction; that is exactly what they are supposed to be-

Your most gorgeous, perfect, intelligent and usually, but not this time, doubtful about winning arguments spouse,

Steph

[JanMichael]

15. Oy vey!

I thought once I got married my loyal, loving, and way hot, wife would always, under all circumstances agree with me!!!!

<drat>

[GOPisEvil]

12. Er, what?? Flashers?? Headlights, yes! Flashers, no! (NT)

[rabid_nerd]

13. If the rain is sooo bad

it keeps you under 45 miles per hour, then flashers are REQUIRED on interstates.

(varies between 40 and 55 for minimum speed)

So people going UNDER the minimum and NOT using flashers are my pet peeve...

[JanMichael]

14. Gotta link for that?

Just curious.

[xJlM]

16. Hazard lights are for a disabled vehicle on the side of the road

I see women all the time around here driving with the hazard lights on. Bright sunshine, 12:00 noon, doesn't matter. Those are good drivers - to stay away from!

[CO Liberal]

17. I Think You're Supposed to Use Your Flashers......

....if you're going slower than 40 MPH on the Interstate.