Using your hazard lights while driving in inclement weather could be against the law in your area.

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      It’s well-known that this time of year brings more challenging commutes in various regions of the country. As snow and icy rain begin to fall and visibility worsens, some drivers choose to turn on their hazard lights for reassurance. However, experts warn that this practice can actually compromise safety to the extent that several states prohibit it.

      This detail caught me off guard. As a resident of Pennsylvania, I wasn’t aware until I did some research that the state has specific regulations regarding when and where hazard lights can be used. It turns out that Pennsylvania allows their use while driving, but only if the driver is unable to maintain the minimum posted speed limit or 25 mph in a “business or residential district,” which disrupts traffic flow.

      Other states have stricter rules. California’s code does not provide an exception for using hazard lights in inclement weather; it only states they can be used “to warn other motorists of accidents or hazards on a roadway.” Otherwise, drivers generally need to be stationary. Florida had a strict anti-hazard-in-motion stance until 2021, when the law was updated to include “extremely low visibility on roadways with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour or higher.” Louisiana and New Mexico outright prohibit this practice.

      It’s clear that each state’s legislature has a unique perspective on this issue, and in some instances, those views are evolving. AAA once maintained a comprehensive list of regulations for each state (and Canadian provinces, for that matter), but this page seems to have been removed around five years ago. It is still accessible through the Internet Archive, but certainly not up to date, lacking recent changes like those in Florida.

      Regarding why some states and AAA itself have taken a strict approach to this issue, the reasoning is straightforward. Hazard lights are designed to be used by stopped or disabled vehicles on roadways, and nothing more. From a distance, it can be unclear whether a vehicle with its hazard lights on is stationary or moving, which leads to confusion. Active hazard lights also hinder drivers from signaling turns and lane changes, which is especially vital when visibility is poor.

      There is also a psychological aspect to consider. “People tend to drive where their eyes are looking, and you don’t want them driving towards you when your hazards are flashing,” Dr. William Van Tassel, AAA’s Manager of Driver Training Programs, recently explained to AccuWeather. Furthermore, the belief that using hazard lights can minimize risks while driving in adverse conditions might create a false sense of security.

      “There’s no additional traction on their tires,” Van Tassel said. “The hazard flashers don’t change that.”

      Driving in bad weather can undoubtedly be stressful, and it’s only natural for individuals to engage in behaviors that may alleviate that stress, even if they don’t provide any tangible benefits. Rest assured that your vehicle’s regular lights are sufficient to inform others of your presence during a storm.

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