Driving with hazards in the rain

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91AggieLawyer
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In reply to austinag1997 • 12:34p, 6/8/26
AG
austinag1997 said:
Hazard lights indicate a stopped vehicle. Or should.


You should turn on your hazards if you are still moving but intend to immediately exit the road. It is SUPPOSED to give notice to other drives around you to give you room to do just that.

Case in point: about 25 years or so ago, I was driving north on 360 in Arlington when my fuel pump ('96 Tahoe) went out. Engine just shut down but I was still going 65+. I was fortunately able to get over from the middle lane to the right then to the shoulder. I think I got my hazards on while in the right lane.

Idiots driving a moving vehicle not in distress with hazards are a menace.
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Hardcore Greg
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1:16p, 6/8/26
I have done so only in very low vis conditions to hopefully make my truck more visible to surrounding drivers on the road, as I don't trust probably 65-70% of drivers in Houston.

I cringe when I see people doing this during normal rain showers, but I have used it when it's dark and torrential downpours have forced traffic to go much slower on the freeways. In those situations, I want my truck to be as visible as possible to any potential reckless or inexperienced clowns that may be in my vicinity and I could not care less about the feelings of strangers on the internet TBH
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Hardcore Greg
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In reply to robertcope • 1:21p, 6/8/26
robertcope said:
"In Formula 1, blinking lights during light rain serve as crucial warning and visibility systems designed to prevent high-speed collisions in low-visibility conditions."

So is it dumb in F1, too?

I'd tend to agree that in a normal rainstorm, where visibility isn't too bad, it is kind of silly. But in a heavy downpour I do think they can increase visibility.

I'd rather focus on idiots that don't have any lights on, if I had to focus on something.

Preach

In rare and potentially dangerous low visibility conditions, I will do anything to make my truck more visible, even if that makes me a "loser" on the internet.

Vast majority of drivers in Houston could use all the help they can get. Especially with the massive influx of third world foreigners who are simply liabilities on the road. Anything that tells them "do not hit me" when visibility is very low helps imo.

If it was just the Texags Automotive forum on the freeways, I would never use them though. In fact, I'd turn my lights off just because I know everyone can handle it.
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Brenner
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2:01p, 6/8/26
AG
For anyone that would use hazards in any weather related situation, how much more visibility do you think you're getting instead of simply using your tail lights? I would think losing the function of your blinkers is far more dangerous than any marginal impact hazards add for visibility.
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GAC06
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2:39p, 6/8/26
AG
And if visibility is so bad you think others need your hazards on to see you, it would be difficult for them to determine if you're a disabled vehicle or someone driving with hazards on thinking they're "helping"
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Hardcore Greg
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5:16p, 6/8/26
From AI

Quote:
Yes, blinking lights are significantly more visible than solid lights. Because the human eye is naturally wired to detect motion and changes in contrast, an intermittent flash instantly grabs attention, making it highly effective for standing out.


Again, I only advocate for it in the more dangerous super low visibility situations...when we honestly probably shouldn't even be driving anyways. There have been a few storms where I would rather just pull over and get off the road but didn;t feel like it was safe to do so, so I put my hazards on as an added precaution.

I feel like that's when you used to see it on the roadways. Now it could be just a moderate shower and you see it's flashing lights everywhere....people see a few cars with hazards and pretty soon everyone's doing it.
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Absolute
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In reply to Hardcore Greg • 5:40p, 6/8/26
AG
Hardcore Greg said:
From AI

Quote:
Yes, blinking lights are significantly more visible than solid lights. Because the human eye is naturally wired to detect motion and changes in contrast, an intermittent flash instantly grabs attention, making it highly effective for standing out.


Again, I only advocate for it in the more dangerous super low visibility situations...when we honestly probably shouldn't even be driving anyways. There have been a few storms where I would rather just pull over and get off the road but didn;t feel like it was safe to do so, so I put my hazards on as an added precaution.

I feel like that's when you used to see it on the roadways. Now it could be just a moderate shower and you see it's flashing lights everywhere....people see a few cars with hazards and pretty soon everyone's doing it.

Agree completely. There is a place for them. In those situations you are most likely going a LOT slower than the posted speed.
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HollywoodBQ
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6:45p, 6/8/26
AG
I saw it in Michigan when I drove from Chicago to Grand Rapids a few years ago.

Rain started and all of a sudden everyone is driving with their hazards on. I don't know if it is a requirement in Michigan or just a custom.
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Goat Man
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8:36p, 6/8/26
AG
Hazards while driving are incredibly distracting, and should not be used unless in an emergency situation, in my opinion. A rain shower is not an emergency. I don't understand the sudden shift towards this practice.
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Sea Speed
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9:07p, 6/8/26
AG
Was on the freeway next to a state trooper the other day when several people turned their hazards on in the rain and I was seriously hoping he pulled one of them over. Alas.....
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austinag1997
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In reply to 91AggieLawyer • 8:07a, 6/9/26
AG
91AggieLawyer said:
austinag1997 said:
Hazard lights indicate a stopped vehicle. Or should.


You should turn on your hazards if you are still moving but intend to immediately exit the road. It is SUPPOSED to give notice to other drives around you to give you room to do just that.

Case in point: about 25 years or so ago, I was driving north on 360 in Arlington when my fuel pump ('96 Tahoe) went out. Engine just shut down but I was still going 65+. I was fortunately able to get over from the middle lane to the right then to the shoulder. I think I got my hazards on while in the right lane.

Idiots driving a moving vehicle not in distress with hazards are a menace.


Yeah, sure. I had to do the same thing when I had a catastrophic issue on the elevated section of I-10 in Breaux Bridge, LA (no shoulder). I had an 18 wheeler on my rear and lost power. Thought my transmission was gone. Hazards to get the 18 wheeler to move over. So, yes, they are used in hazardous situations and when stopped.

Not to drive in the rain.
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Brenner
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In reply to Hardcore Greg • 9:03a, 6/9/26
AG
Hardcore Greg said:
From AI

Quote:
Yes, blinking lights are significantly more visible than solid lights. Because the human eye is naturally wired to detect motion and changes in contrast, an intermittent flash instantly grabs attention, making it highly effective for standing out.


Again, I only advocate for it in the more dangerous super low visibility situations...when we honestly probably shouldn't even be driving anyways. There have been a few storms where I would rather just pull over and get off the road but didn;t feel like it was safe to do so, so I put my hazards on as an added precaution.

I feel like that's when you used to see it on the roadways. Now it could be just a moderate shower and you see it's flashing lights everywhere....people see a few cars with hazards and pretty soon everyone's doing it.

The AI is right - the intermittent flash should grab surrounding cars' attention when changing lanes. You don't need flashing lights when you are driving straight. Hazards on the road are counterintuitive.
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txyaloo
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In reply to Sea Speed • 9:09a, 6/9/26
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Sea Speed said:
Was on the freeway next to a state trooper the other day when several people turned their hazards on in the rain and I was seriously hoping he pulled one of them over. Alas.....

He was too busy looking for no front plate to notice.
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scd88
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10:15a, 6/9/26
AG
Side note - I use my hazards to say thank you if, for example, someone lets me in when coming from the feeder road. Just a quick 2 flash cycle.

I wish that was more of a thing because, more often than not, the person who I'm trying to be nice to slows down thinking I'm having an issue.
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NWE
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In reply to scd88 • 11:20a, 6/9/26
AG
I just yell thank you out the window
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Hardcore Greg
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In reply to Absolute • 11:47a, 6/9/26
Absolute said:
Hardcore Greg said:
From AI

Quote:
Yes, blinking lights are significantly more visible than solid lights. Because the human eye is naturally wired to detect motion and changes in contrast, an intermittent flash instantly grabs attention, making it highly effective for standing out.


Again, I only advocate for it in the more dangerous super low visibility situations...when we honestly probably shouldn't even be driving anyways. There have been a few storms where I would rather just pull over and get off the road but didn;t feel like it was safe to do so, so I put my hazards on as an added precaution.

I feel like that's when you used to see it on the roadways. Now it could be just a moderate shower and you see it's flashing lights everywhere....people see a few cars with hazards and pretty soon everyone's doing it.

Agree completely. There is a place for them. In those situations you are most likely going a LOT slower than the posted speed.

Yep, going very slow, but praying other knuckleheads are as well. Trying to make myself as visible as possible to any potential jackwagon going unreasonably fast. Not really concerned about appeasing the online "you can only use flashers when at a complete stop or you are sinning and going to hell" purists.
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Hardcore Greg
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In reply to Brenner • 11:49a, 6/9/26
Brenner said:
Hardcore Greg said:
From AI

Quote:
Yes, blinking lights are significantly more visible than solid lights. Because the human eye is naturally wired to detect motion and changes in contrast, an intermittent flash instantly grabs attention, making it highly effective for standing out.


Again, I only advocate for it in the more dangerous super low visibility situations...when we honestly probably shouldn't even be driving anyways. There have been a few storms where I would rather just pull over and get off the road but didn;t feel like it was safe to do so, so I put my hazards on as an added precaution.

I feel like that's when you used to see it on the roadways. Now it could be just a moderate shower and you see it's flashing lights everywhere....people see a few cars with hazards and pretty soon everyone's doing it.

The AI is right - the intermittent flash should grab surrounding cars' attention when changing lanes. You don't need flashing lights when you are driving straight. Hazards on the road are counterintuitive.

When doing 20-30mph in a 65 or 70 in a city 50% comprised of idiots who may be going much faster, I'll take my chances....even if just adding 2-3% extra vis (although I think it is likely adding more).
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agdoc2001
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In reply to Hardcore Greg • 11:55a, 6/9/26
AG
Do the flashers on your Altima even work at this point?
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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Hardcore Greg
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In reply to agdoc2001 • 11:59a, 6/9/26
agdoc2001 said:
Do the flashers on your Altima even work at this point?

LOL I'm trying to make myself slightly more visible to the Altima's. That's my whole point.

I get the sense some of you may live in more rural areas or never really have to leave the burbs and don't realize how reckless and inconsiderate (and just plain dumb) the average driver in urban areas is. Especially in really inclement weather.
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Absolute
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In reply to Hardcore Greg • 12:02p, 6/9/26
AG
50%!!!! My my aren't we feeling optimistic today!
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GAC06
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In reply to Hardcore Greg • 12:16p, 6/9/26
AG
Yeah some people in the cities drive around with their hazards on when it's raining.
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Enrico Pallazzo
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1:24p, 6/9/26
Idiotic. Can't signal a lane change, but more importantly, when you temporarily stop, people that didn't see you previously moving are not expecting you to move. They think you are a stalled vehicle. Example - I pull up to an intersection and see a car stopped with its hazards on, I should be able to logically assume they are stalled and proceed with that understanding. But then the light turns green and this moron takes off; that can be a real problem if people were maneuvering around and in front of them thinking they were stalled

If visibility sucks and you've slowed, turn your lights on. They don't need to be flashing. People will see you just as well and avoid you.
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Silvy
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In reply to Hardcore Greg • 1:26p, 6/9/26
AG
More like Softcore Greg
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GAC06
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1:38p, 6/9/26
AG
My favorite: people driving with hazards in snow. Not snowing, no visibility issues, just driving on snowy/icy roads. Better get those hazards on to alert others to the presence of a dumbass.
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Absolute
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2:31p, 6/9/26
AG
Is it maybe a form of whatever Karen's are doing. Passive aggressively telling everyone around them that they need to slow down and be careful? Like that can't tell it is raining? The weirdest part to me is that it seems to be something that has only popped up in a widespread way in the last couple years.
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JamesPShelley
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In reply to AtlAg05 • 3:58p, 6/9/26
AtlAg05 said:
Maybe it's to get the real idiots, those looking at their phones while driving, to pay attention?

Usually see them with truckers indicating a sudden slow down due to rain. I view it as more of a common courtesy play in my book which is severely lacking these days.

In regular rain it is employed only by idiots. "Common courtesy play" would be to pay attention.

******* kids these days.
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Hardcore Greg
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In reply to GAC06 • 10:56a, 6/10/26
GAC06 said:
Yeah some people in the cities drive around with their hazards on when it's raining.

Yep, as I've said multiple times, I hate that too. I am talking about maybe the once every few years "holy sh**, I should pull over but I can't" weather in Houston. I have been in torrential evening/night storms where people slow to 20-30mph on 290...where you can hardly see the road at all...they are definitely more visible with flashers on.

Some might say "pull over if it's that bad", but that seems like the most wildly dangerous thing you could do.
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Hardcore Greg
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In reply to Absolute • 10:57a, 6/10/26
Absolute said:
Is it maybe a form of whatever Karen's are doing. Passive aggressively telling everyone around them that they need to slow down and be careful? Like that can't tell it is raining? The weirdest part to me is that it seems to be something that has only popped up in a widespread way in the last couple years.

I honestly think that 90% of the people start doing it when they see others doing so. Herd mentality. Never underestimate how many third world foreigners we have in our TX cities who just don't know any better.
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cavscout96
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In reply to MouthBQ98 • 3:11p, 6/10/26
AG
MouthBQ98 said:
If there is a blizzard, a heavy fog, or a torrential downpour that really limits visibility so that drivers must slow to well below the speed limit, then it is acceptable to me. I've been in a fog so dense that I could only see about 3-4 car lengths and in that circumstance it makes sense and helps.

When it is merely raining and you can still see well and drive at or near the speed limit safely, it becomes very distracting and it is dangerous because when you are beside someone, you can't tell if it is hazards or they are trying to turn or change lanes.

It is intended for disabled vehicles ot vehicles that are a road hazard, not because you want to virtue signsl how super cautious of a driver you are.

this actually makes it worse because th flashes reflect off the fog and reduces the distance you can see.

If someone is too terrified to drive in any condition, rain, snow, sleet, fog, etc., they should not be on the road, period, in those conditions. Get off. Wait it out.
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