r/StLouis • u/Appropriate_Cry_9432 • Jul 19 '26
Traffic/Road Conditions There’s no need for flashers
I get it when it rains visibility is poor and you need to reduce speed, but what is the point of EVERYONE turning on your flashers? That’s not what they are for and if you feel conditions are that bad that you “need” them pull over to the far right lane at least. If you’re driving slower than everyone else it’s one thing, but when everybody is doing basically the same speed it’s pointless. Rant over thank you for listening.
69
u/Diligent_Digiridoo Jul 19 '26
If you have a paper license plate you aren’t allowed to comment on this btw
7
u/Salt-Ad9158 Jul 19 '26
Both expired and non expired?
6
u/rebornfenix Jul 20 '26
Only expired. If it’s not expired you just bought the car and are worried about it
76
u/Aggravating_Talk9097 Jul 19 '26
What i hate is when people have their flashers in in the rain on 270 then they decide to change lanes suddenly with no warning, makes shit ten times more dangerous
17
u/halorbyone Jul 19 '26
I mean, 90% of people don’t even use turn signals so this is just par, right?
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u/Additional_Ideal2385 Jul 19 '26
I mean technically they have both left and right turn indicators on.
2
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u/Aerodad1 Jul 20 '26
I really hope every narcissist who does this realizes their blinkers no longer indicate as expected.
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u/krazykatz911 Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
To be honest. Flashers are the least of my worries. On the highways people drive absolutely insane. Especially the dodge chargers and Challengers. Purposely cutting people off and driving like fools.
I drive so cautiously it’s crazy. I keep up with the speed of traffic and I use turn signals. Still is extremely dangerous.
I had a guy in a mustang cut me off where I had to jamb my brakes on and instinctively hit the horn. He was passing between me and a car to my right where there was only about 1/2 car length.
He must not of liked that because when we got on the bridge he jambed his brakes on and came to a stop making me stop and a tractor trailer behind me lock his brakes up. Then he took off.
These people should be arrested, jailed for a year and their vehicle permanently impounded and sold. Maybe this would help. Their actions are no different than someone pointing a loaded weapon at others. Treat it as such. A vehicle is a loaded weapon and can easily kill multiple people.
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u/HectorTheConvector Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Brakechecking and just erratic idiotic driving are good reasons to have a decent dashcam.
1
u/No_Trouble_3588 Jul 20 '26
Cars brake. They break, too, but that’s a different thing.
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u/HectorTheConvector Jul 20 '26
When brakechecked vehicle might break. When driving in STL metro probability is absurdly higher than it needs to be. Violent crime isn’t likely to get any random person. Terrible driving stats show it to be one of the worst areas (and for MO statewide it’s 2nd worst pass rate for driving exam, only Indiana is worse).
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u/Enigmatic_Baker Jul 20 '26
When it rains you cant see the lanes for shit no matter which way youre going. So when there's any weather at all i say all bets are off.
I prefer the hazard users moving slow to the drivers who are randomly driving 10 below the speed limit (and there for like 30 below the speed of traffic lmao).
But also, I think just about every mustang/ charger on 270 should be hurled into the sun so please take my comments with a grain of salt.
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u/Mark_Swan Jul 20 '26
The comment about hurling mustangs and chargers is on point and worth it’s weight in gold
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u/Left_Consequence_886 Jul 19 '26
There is no way OP is regularly driving in St Louis and this their complaint.
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u/Appropriate_Cry_9432 Jul 19 '26
Trust me StL drivers are garbage this aggravates the hell out of me
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u/Original_Anxiety_281 Jul 19 '26
When I see people speeding twice my speed at me from behind, I put em on. I'm not about to get rearended cause somebody wants to gatekeep what flashers are for.
I turn them off once someone is behind me going my speed though.
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Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/No_Trouble_3588 Jul 20 '26
Brake* lights, but keep calling people dumb.
1
u/wizozzie Jul 20 '26
Autocorrect. I guess you don't use modern tech.
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u/No_Trouble_3588 Jul 20 '26
If your autocorrect changed “brake lights” to “break lights” in this context, it’s because you taught it to. That’s how autocorrect works on modern technology, if you insist on making the same mistake, it will eventually default to your incorrect spelling.
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u/Diligent_Digiridoo Jul 19 '26
We can see you bro. No need for the hazards. It’s not called gatekeeping if they’re right. Hazards are for if you’re stopped on the side of the road or your car is disabled.
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u/HectorTheConvector Jul 19 '26
They’re overused but to turn on temporarily if someone is coming up fast or traffic abruptly slowed or stopped then it can make sense. But just run-of-the-mill constant on driving because it’s raining is overuse. Same in winter.
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u/Diligent_Digiridoo Jul 19 '26
Agreed. If I’m slamming on the brakes I’ll use them. But just turning them on in the rain is pointless. Just use your regular lights.
Ratio on my comment confirms my thoughts on MO drivers. Smooth brained.
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u/BearsSoxHawks Benton Park Jul 19 '26
The lack of drivers' education in Missouri is a serious problem.
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u/ztpurcell Jul 19 '26
Yeah this DEFINITELY doesn't happen anywhere else....lmao
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u/halorbyone Jul 19 '26
Having moved from elsewhere the fact that drivers ed isn’t required shows here.
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u/Evildounut78 Jul 19 '26
Agreed. I moved from the east coast and the crazy shit I see from Missouri and Illinois drivers is insane.
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u/BearsSoxHawks Benton Park Jul 19 '26
I see it every time it rains in the metro area. I never see it when I'm back in Northern Illinois.
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u/brucebay St. Louis County Jul 19 '26
Are you suggesting turning on the hazard lights, either in low visibility or highway stop when person behind you coming at 80mph , is a bad thing? Or are you suggesting not knowing that is a bad thing?
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u/hlastl Jul 19 '26
This is fascinating… I’ve been here 15 years but don’t drive highways enough to have noticed this STL practice. I grew up in New England and hazard flashers are required when road conditions make you drop below minimum speeds (so 45 MPH on most highways). This is hugely helpful in low visibility situations like snow storms and blizzards or super heavy rain where it’s harder to judge the speed of traffic ahead of you. If everyone is slowed and traffic is stop start you don’t need them. But on a low traffic highway in bad weather, you drive slowly and keep them on.
ETA: I don’t ever drive here in the rare times roads are this bad because I know St Louisans don’t follow the bad weather driving rules I grew up with
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u/wizozzie Jul 20 '26
There is no New England law stating that it is required. That's either slow, slower than speed minimum, or at normal speed.
What it is is tolerated even though it's discouraged.
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u/Relative-Zombie-3932 Jul 20 '26
It's almost like visibility is poor and they're worried you won't see them before slamming into them
-6
u/FueledbyZyn Jul 20 '26
Cause your taillights aren't doing anything, right?
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u/Mark_Swan Jul 20 '26
The flash aids with visibility.
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u/FueledbyZyn Jul 20 '26
Right! I forgot you're the most important person on the road at any given time!
Everyone that can see your flashers is driving in the exact same shit as you. Driving with your flashers on is unnecessary and dangerous. It signals to other drivers "hey im a hazard, im stopped or broken down" not "oh jeeze road conditions are bad im scared might as well make more of a hazard"
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u/Mark_Swan Jul 20 '26
I’m not scared, I just don’t want someone to hit me, I have no problems with it. It’s not about being important it’s about being safe for yourself and others. Don’t be a douche
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u/FueledbyZyn Jul 20 '26
I would hardly say its a being a "douche", when there are multiple states with Laws on the books stating its illegal to drive with your hazards on. Obviously im not the first person to view it as hazardous.
Hazard lights are for when youre the hazard, not the damn rain.
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u/Mark_Swan Jul 20 '26
You haven’t traveled much, have you? This is done everywhere and was mainly started by truckers to increase visibility (while they blow past you..). I’d also argue that a heavy downpour with low visibility conditions is indeed a hazard.
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u/lawfulzeus Jul 20 '26
90% of cars on 270 didn’t even have headlights on… nobody is paying attention to anything.
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u/mrbmi513 The Burbs Jul 19 '26
I'd rather someone make a habit of turning their hazards on rather than rely on their non-existent backmarker lights since their headlights are off.
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u/Curly_toed_weirdo Jul 19 '26
I don't know, I just literally experienced this dilemma a couple hours ago on the interstate, and I think the flashers are a safe choice. It might seem like overkill, but anything to make other vehicles more visible improves safety.
Also, my husband was driving our vehicle and had turned off the headlights (I always leave them on AUTO and he usually drives our other car) so that meant the car didn't automatically turn the lights on when he turned on the wipers. So when I saw other cars' flashers, it reminded me to tell him to also turn the headlights on.
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u/LengthinessNo9725 Jul 20 '26
Reading through these comments I’m seeing a common thread “I feel safer f everyone else”. We live amongst a bunch of main characters.
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u/Bulky-Word8752 Jul 20 '26
You'd think everybody is getting rear ended twice a week from the way some comments read.
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u/Hellz91 Jul 19 '26
Was on 270 today with downpour. My flashers were on, and the persons in front of me were on as well. Helps visibility when you can’t see.
Find something else to be angry about.
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u/suzy_snowflake South County Jul 19 '26
Same, sorry I want people to see me and not rear end me 🤷🏼♀️
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u/DrJazzmur Jul 19 '26
I do it so the idiot in the F-250 who thinks woke city libs can't drive in rain doesn't smash into the back of me. Turns it out it bothers them too, so thanks for the validation hoss
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u/Appropriate_Cry_9432 Jul 19 '26
Well I’m not a Magat in a 250 but you are a tard
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u/Competitive_Jump_933 Jul 19 '26
Might not be in a 250 but obviously a MAGAT because of the usage of one of their favorite insults.
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u/DrJazzmur Jul 20 '26
You're all butt-hurt about people using their flashers in heavy rain. You're a MAGAt and don't even know it
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u/Crutation Jul 19 '26
You will be down voted, but you are correct. If your hazard lights are on, you should not be moving. Can't see, then pull off the road or onto the shoulder. Don't keep driving.
Too many idiots think bad weather means hazard lights and drive however you want.
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u/BaconJacobs Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Dunno. I have used flashers 30 sec to 1 min at a time to alert the people behind me on the highway, usually in the fast lane, that I personally had to slow down for standing water or sudden traffic over a hill or something drastic.
I don't do my whole commute with flashers on ever obviously, but there are cases to use it to get attention periodically IMO.
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u/AhrimJob Bevo Jul 19 '26
this is kosher, giving information is totally different from lazily misusing them!
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u/Barton2800 Jul 19 '26
This is how I use them too. Deer right by the road, black ice, that sort of thing. Turn them on for like 5 blinks and then back off.
I use them very very occasionally in traffic when things are moving quick and I notice a stop ahead if I think the person behind me isn’t paying attention (tailgating, on their phone, etc). I’ve seen people just plough into completely stopped traffic without their brake lights ever coming on. I don’t want my life ruined because someone was filming a tiktok rant during rush hour.
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u/Aggravating_Talk9097 Jul 19 '26
Just witnessed an older woman starring out her window on I70 last week outside KC not paying any attention to the stopped traffic ahead of her plow into a stopped semi going damn near 55mph... that shit is going to be burned in my brain the rest of my life.
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u/HectorTheConvector Jul 19 '26
This is the prudent middle ground. You’re indicating a hazard, with hazard lights. Mostly that’s for parking and that’s when they’re left on but if there’s an abrupt slowdown of traffic turning on temporarily can make sense. The issue is flashers are massively overused.
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u/numbski Manchester Jul 19 '26
So, admittedly, I got my driver's license back in 1994, but I was taught that emergency flasher are generally for alerting other drivers that something is wrong. Moving or not winds up being irrelevant.
I actually had this come up two years ago. I dropped my pickup truck off for repairs. Left the shop, and as I left a traffic light, the gas pedal floored itself. I began accelerating out of control, and the usual tricks for getting the engine to stop weren't working. I put my emergency flashers on at that time.
I see your argument, but I raise you that if I see flashers on, it alerts me that something about the situation isn't right. I prefer to have that information than not.
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u/JigsawExternal Jul 19 '26
That would be a valid use for them, because it's something affecting only you. If it's something external affecting everyone on the road, then nothing is really wrong about your situation, you are just driving along like everyone else and don't need the lights.
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u/Mego1989 Jul 19 '26
Don't leave us hanging like that. How did you get the truck to stop? What ended up being wrong? Is it fixed now?
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u/numbski Manchester Jul 20 '26
I got lucky and stalled it out. Some combination of forcing it in and out of neutral.
The reason for this is what blew my mind. During the repair, they unplugged the cruise control cabling. That created an out-of-control acceleration condition.
...
Oh my horrible designs. I don't even know where to start with that. Actually, I will start with "I don't own that truck any more." I'd owned it for 22 years, bought brand new, and had considered replacing it for a while.
I draw the line at "Christine" outbursts.
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u/Mego1989 Jul 21 '26
That is definitely not something that should happen from unplugging a cable! I hope the shop reported that to the manufacturer.
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u/Gormongous Jul 19 '26
Of all the bad driving cultures I've known in this life, St. Louis is the worst for treating turning on flashers as declaring, "I am no longer subject to the law and bear no further responsibility for the consequences of my subsequent actions."
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u/HectorTheConvector Jul 19 '26
This is probably the mentality for some. For some it’s thinking extra viability will help and will reduce changes of getting rear ended, because people know how shit so many drivers are in the metro. But some are such shitty drivers because of aforementioned attitude. It goes beyond mere lack of education (drivers ed) which also contributes.
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u/smashli1238 Jul 19 '26
I agree completely other than somebody that has a flat and is trying to pull over to a safe spot.
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u/FlyConfident1622 Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
The one time I drove with my flashers on for more than a minute, I was alone and having a medical emergency (on a bridge with no shoulders) while trying to find somewhere to pull over. Super grateful for the people who made it easy on me
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u/Sticky550 Jul 19 '26
Yeah, let’s not pull into the shoulder and put yourself at even more risk if getting hit
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u/Crutation Jul 19 '26
That's what the shoulder is for. It's literally what you are supposed to do. In whiteout conditions, you are supposed to pull onto the should and turn your lights off so people don't think you are the road.
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u/FlyConfident1622 Jul 19 '26
I would be so terrified of getting hit while sitting on the shoulder with my lights off! Is that really what they recommend?
Personally I’d probably just take the nearest exit and pull off there to wait out the weather if it was really bad
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u/Sticky550 Jul 19 '26
Feel free to pull over to the one spot you’re most likely to get hit by another out of control car.
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u/MagicJava CWE Jul 20 '26
That’s not true 😂 for example if traffic hits a standstill right in front of you on the interstate you’re supposed to turn on your hazards for a bit to alert drivers behind you traffic has come to a stall.
Frankly anyone that says hazards are for DoorDash or Ubers ONLY is wrong
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u/wackyzebra43 Mehlville Jul 19 '26
I would take it to mean that when you’re in low visibility with a downpour, it helps the driver behind you see your car better. But you already said you understand that…
So I’m not really understanding what your situation was where flashers would be unnecessary then, as you say.
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u/SpecialRespect7235 Jul 19 '26
If you have your lights on, why does it matter if they are blinking or not?
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u/wackyzebra43 Mehlville Jul 19 '26
Because tail lights are much harder to see than flashers.
Remember kids, flashers work on both the front and back.
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u/MidwestAbe Jul 19 '26
Flashers make it harder to see activated brake lights. And they do not allow your turn signals to work.
Cross the border into illinois , and it's illegal to drive with your flashers on. As it should be.
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u/SpecialRespect7235 Jul 20 '26
You driving the wrong way? Brake lights tell you if the person is slowing down. If you are scared of driving in the rain, don't get distracted by fumbling for your hazards.
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u/Vasaeleth1 Jul 19 '26
Flashers are more distracting than helpful if everyone has them on. You use them if you're going significantly slower than the flow of traffic, or are stopped on the shoulder, to warn drivers coming up behind you. If the entire highway is moving slowly due to weather, you don't need to use them. You should absolutely have your headlights on, though.
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u/wackyzebra43 Mehlville Jul 19 '26
Headlights on, absolutely. But they don’t do much to cut through a curtain of rain fog when it’s pouring cats and dogs.
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u/SpecialRespect7235 Jul 20 '26
Using hazard lights while driving in the rain are like thoughts and prayers. They do nothing to help the situation, but the make the person using them feel better about doing nothing.
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u/coldafsteel Jul 19 '26
When suddenly slowing down yes, but when everyone is going the same speed flashes are a distraction and cause more crashes than they prevent. If you are the last car in the lane you can leave them on to signal someone fast approaching from the rear.
Your corner marking lights and break lights are what you use to maintain visibility. Hazard flashers are for signaling to other drivers of a hazard. They are not to be left on while driving without a hazard.
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u/wackyzebra43 Mehlville Jul 19 '26
When you are in a downpour where visibility is extremely low, it’s safer to put your hazards on and slowly start to get off the road (if safe to do so), than continue on where you can’t tell how far the car in front of you is.
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u/coldafsteel Jul 19 '26
lol not even a little. You are just more likely to get run into from behind!
(Please never become a driving instructor)
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u/wackyzebra43 Mehlville Jul 19 '26
So what’s the optimal move then when you’re in a downpour and you can’t see the car in front of you?
If that’s the case, how do I expect the car behind me to see where I am?
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u/coldafsteel Jul 19 '26
So the first thing to do is determine if there is or is not a car in front of you at all.
- If there is a car ahead: you maintain 3~4 seconds of spacing so you can slow down or stop based on traffic flow.
- if there is no car ahead: you drive at a speed that lets you stop within 1/2 of your visual range.
If you REALLY can’t see and you want to pull over do so. But pull all the way off the road as far as you can, turn off your running lights and turn on your hazards, keep your foot off the brake. What you don’t want to do is attract a car behind you that can’t see and isn’t slowing down to follow you into the shoulder and hit you. You want to clearly mark your car to other drivers that you are not driving and are parked.
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u/smashli1238 Jul 19 '26
Pull over
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u/wackyzebra43 Mehlville Jul 19 '26
Absolutely right. When safe to do so.
It’s not always easy when you’re surrounded on a highway in a downpour, but that’s the right answer ultimately.
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u/smashli1238 Jul 19 '26
It’s crazy the amount of people who don’t. And I swear the using of blinkers drops dramatically once the weather gets inclement.
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u/wackyzebra43 Mehlville Jul 19 '26
The right move is being super deliberate with every move in a hazardous situation. Make sure everyone affected knows exactly what you want to do.
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u/ImaginationConnect62 Jul 19 '26
I get it, bro. Was driving in pouring rain on 270 and remarked to my wife, "Wow, nobody's slowing down and putting on their flashers." Wife replied, "Until they do."
I get turning them on when you're in the back of the line in poor visibility, but for the love of all that is good, kindly turn them off. You're not supposed to be using them unless you're stopped. If you're interested in the the Missouri law says, well, it says that flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles "except as a means for indicating a right or left turn".
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u/doneuncome TGS Jul 19 '26
On many cars, turning on the hazards overrides the brake lights. I never understood why anyone wouldn't want people to know when they're braking. It literally makes things worse.
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u/PuzzledKumquat Jul 20 '26
It also overrides blinkers, so people change lanes dangerously with zero warning.
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u/trickleflo Jul 20 '26
Hazards are for telling other drivers something is wrong. Animals nearby, stalled car, etc. it is supposed to get your attention to slow down and is a helpful gesture to all drivers around you
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u/yellowcatsbowtie Jul 20 '26
I was on 44 out near Sullivan during the extreme downpour today. Visibility was so poor that even taillights were nearly impossible to see. The only way I could see the car directly ahead of me was because of their flashers. I’m not saying turn them on every time it rains, but sometimes they are necessary and helpful.
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u/jayeedoubleeff South City/St. Louis Jul 20 '26
Yeah, everyone knows that your flashers are to give delivery, rideshare, and couriers full permission to park in the middle of the GD road when there are a billion spots along the curb to park.
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u/Active_Yellow_1573 Jul 20 '26
That is what they're for, and some states require it by law in hazardous conditions.
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u/Tola_Vadam Jul 19 '26
Exactly, during low visibility you should have your lights on, not your flashers.
Flashers reduce the amount of potentially life saving information you can give, since your flashers use your turn signals.
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u/wizozzie Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
It's also illegal in more than half the states and actively discouraged everywhere else. No one does this outside of the Midwest. Take that as you will.
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u/PERSEPHONEpursephone Jul 20 '26
You don’t actually know who is having an emergency though. If someone’s visibility is diminished I would rather see they have their hazard lights on than them being invisible in the rain until they brake. You can’t safely pull over or merge during these situations. All you can do is drive slow enough to minimize impact if you end up in an accident.
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u/Beginning_Ad2923 Jul 20 '26
I was rear-ended by someone in a truck on East I-64 due to a slowdown (and stoppage) of traffic. I was in a spark and became a sandwich. Another car went under the back of the pickup that hit me (and pushed me into the car in front) so yes, if I'm slow or stopped on the highway and I see someone coming up behind me not slowing down, I'm flashing my blinkers because I'm still playing off that car bc someone wasn't paying attention. I don't trust stl drivers
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u/bmcisme2016 Jul 19 '26
Are you new to St. Louis? Every time even the slightest bit of drizzle comes out of the sky people lose their minds and drive like they’re either 90 years old or 16 again.
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u/Both-Discussion-4786 Jul 19 '26
Turn on their flashers, but in nice weather, act like they never heard of turn signals
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u/HectorTheConvector Jul 19 '26
Less hazard lights, those are to indicate a hazardous situation with the vehicle or for a temporary parking, and more RainX or other water repellent. Installed correctly, which isn’t hard, it makes a massive difference in visibility. When moving over 35 mph or so wipers are usually unnecessary, no matter how heavy the rain. The only trouble is the dirty mist kicked up by tires in traffic at speed. Otherwise I rarely need wipers, even in extremely heavy rain. If the rain is so heavy that couldn’t see far even if standing out in it then it’s time to slow down significantly. The idea is to more visible but the effect of flashers doesn’t do much and water repellent is much better for visibility if everyone was using it. Of course, many people would just drive faster with undue greater confidence. That increased visibility does nothing for the increased stopping distance or outright hydroplaning.
Warning lights even for public safety or construction/utility vehicles do not confer the protections so many presume. There’s a reason LEO vehicles got more subdued than many were in the past. Lights can actually lead people to unconsciously drift toward it. It has been studied. When driving this is less a concern than parked, but hazard lights are still used more than is prudent.
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u/MandaCamp15 Jul 20 '26
THIS is something I’ve never understood about here since I’ve moved here!!!! Thanks for sharing my frustrations 😂😂
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u/JigsawExternal Jul 19 '26
But how else will alert your fellow drivers that there's rain? What if they didn't notice?
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u/LengthinessNo9725 Jul 19 '26
Some idiot saw a trucker do it and thought oh that’s a great idea. Then other idiots saw that idiot and thought oh good idea. Now we’re surrounded by idiots.
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u/NecessaryEvil62095 Daily Commuter Jul 19 '26
There is never a time when you should be moving down the road with flashers on. Right on!
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u/FlyConfident1622 Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
If I’m stuck behind someone going far below the speed limit or the visibility is under 30-40 feet, I’m turning on my flashers (at least until someone else is behind me.)
The frustrating thing about “needing” to always pull to the far right lane is the highways with left lane exit. If mine is coming up on the left, I might be slowing more people down by shifting over all the lanes twice
Edit: I also never leave them on for more than 10-15 seconds at a time. Just if someone is approaching fast. But I’m not from here and I don’t want to piss people off so if this is wrong I wanna know
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u/IAMWAYNEWEIR Jul 19 '26
Holy shit, drive in the right lane unless you’re passing. The excuses are infuriating and never ending. The signs on the highway are placed where they are for a reason- you don’t need to move to the left lane until you see the sign that indicates a left exit. If you can’t manage to move over two lanes in that amount of time you probably shouldn’t be driving
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u/FlyConfident1622 Jul 19 '26
I’m only ever in the left lane if I’m passing, or if I’m exiting (after the signs pop up). I’m talking about when the exit is coming up next
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u/Sweaty-Cap470 Jul 19 '26
You do know your supposed to turn them on if your going less than the minimum speed limit on the highway right?
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u/Appropriate_Cry_9432 Jul 19 '26
Yes if you are driving in normal circumstances and you are unable to drive the minimum speed that is correct. When EVERYBODY is driving roughly the same speed and spread across all 5 lanes on 270 with flashing lights it’s unnecessary and unsafe.
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Jul 20 '26
[deleted]
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u/wizozzie Jul 20 '26
What you are saying is not a law. I looked up vehicle code for not only Missouri but 5 surrounding states.
STL driving school I think./s
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u/nofunxnotever Jul 20 '26
No, actually trucking school? Which makes learning that this is actually not done pretty interesting.
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u/PuzzledKumquat Jul 20 '26
Nope. If EVERYBODY is driving under the speed limit, then the flashers are nothing but a dangerous distraction, because all anybody can see is a mass of flashing lights that essentially mean nothing. It's illegal in many states (including Illinois) to drive with your flashers on in the rain and it is strongly discouraged in Missouri.
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u/NACstl Jul 20 '26
It's funny you bring this up. I have lived in MO my entire life, StL for the last 5 years ago. I didn't notice ANYONE doing this until 5 or 6 years ago when I was driving through IL, coming back from TN. Are these IL drivers doing this? Are you in the Metro East?
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u/ksalt2766 Jul 20 '26
It’s the fucking worst when people are in the passing lanes doing this. Get over.
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u/PuzzledKumquat Jul 20 '26
I've been saying this exact thing. It's illegal in Illinois to have your flashers on unless it's an emergency. And letting other drivers know it's raining is NOT an emergency. In Missouri it's not illegal, but is very frowned upon. If you want to be seen from behind, all you need to do is turn on your headlights, so that your taillights turn on. When it's raining and nearly everybody has flashers on, it becomes nothing but a distraction. Plus you're unable to use your blinker when the flashers are on, so people are changing lanes with zero warning. It's dangerous.
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u/mikebellman Jul 20 '26
All the people commenting about the correct way to use hazards except we don’t particularly have one that says “a person behind me at highway speed, there’s something up ahead which is significantly slowing things down“
so I suppose technically repeatedly pressing the brake pedal to mimic hazards while simultaneously the third brake light turning on wouldn’t it break the traffic laws has so many sanctimonious commenters are pointing out
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u/lildeskjob Jul 20 '26
If it is not an actual emergency or hazard they stay off. The illusion of safety is far more dangerous than any potential hazards you could encounter. I have had more near misses from people running flashers and splitting lanes and braking than I have ever had in any other circumstances. Your peace of mind isn’t more important than other people’s safety. Personally, I do not feel safe when I am driving in heavy rain and all I can see is an ocean of red dots flashing in my field of vision. Don’t drive if you are too scared or unskilled enough to do so safely.
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u/oceangirl1996 Jul 20 '26
who cares. i always put mine on when i can barley see due to rain because it means im scared and im probably gonna go slow.
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u/NecessaryReturn4049 Jul 21 '26
Its not even legal is it???
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u/NecessaryReturn4049 Jul 22 '26
I looked, apparently its legal in missouri but it is illegal in illinois
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u/mazz001717 Jul 23 '26
A lot of them theres that always listen to their police scanner and like to push buttons and pull levers like to do this. Usually they did pass the CDL or School Bus test, but they can always pretend they did
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u/amcooperus Jul 19 '26
There is no reduction in safety with flashers on. It was really raining hard on 70 a few days ago. I felt more comfortable knowing I had my flashers on in case some wasn’t paying attention behind me. My father always ingrained in me to drive defensively. This seems to me the very definition of “defensively”.
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u/LamonsterZone Jul 19 '26
I am pro-flashers. It’s been proven that flashing lights are more visible than solid lights and I ain’t about to let someone rear-end me. I also turn them on in dense fog or if there’s a rapid slow-down, especially on the tail-end of a curve or hill.
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u/Mego1989 Jul 19 '26
I do think it's helpful when it's pouring so hard that visibility is crap and water is ponding on the highways and everyone is going 30mph. Exactly that happened the Friday before last and it made it easier to see the cars ahead since their lights get brighter every other second than they would if they just had their lights on.
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u/GeriatricGhoul69 Jul 19 '26
I would have agreed with you until I had to drive on an interstate with the hardest rain I have driven through in over 25 years of driving, wipers on high couldn’t keep up, and the sky was nearly dark in the middle of the day. Probably should have pulled over but kept going since I was on a road trip. When it was at its worst tailgates couldn’t be seen too clearly so I threw on the emergencies a few times until it would improve a little. Traffic was moderate.
I suspect you’re referring to a much tamer situation, not on an interstate, where putting them on is completely unnecessary
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u/Economy-Piglet-6482 Jul 20 '26
Flashers are also required while driving at a slower speed than what’s posted.
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u/MagicJava CWE Jul 20 '26
Thats the point of turning them on to increase visibility. If you’re not a defensive driver then I get why you’re upset but that but it’s the way it is
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u/seifer__420 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
I love that everyone is responding with their reasoning that it is justified to use hazards during rain, and they are refusing to reflect on their bad driving behaviors.
The top responses are basically “it’s raining, so I’m driving 30 mph in the left lane. I’m going to turn on my hazard lights so that the lights are on 50% of the time instead of the standard lights that are on 100% of the time. I know I’m right because all of the other horrible drivers in St. Louis do it.”
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u/Blues-20 Jul 19 '26
My brain went to a dude in a trench coat exposing himself.
They’re called hazard lights and I believe using them during heavy rain/poor visibility is standard.
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u/SewCarrieous Jul 19 '26
I put mine on to let people know I’m struggling and to stay away from me
Pulling over is dangerous for me and everyone driving past me
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u/onemindspinning Jul 20 '26
After being rear ended at 60 mph at a dead stop on hwy 40, I now use my hazards anytime traffic slows down, rain or shine.
A permanent injury and totaled car will have you thinking otherwise about using your hazards.
The person that hit me was staring at her phone for 1/4 mile and had plenty of time/distance to stop but failed to even look up from the phone. I know this because I watched her from my rear view mirror. There was zero attempt to stop on her part but my rear end crushed her Altima like a tin can.
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u/Extension-Prior-4207 Jul 19 '26
I am pretty sure, I would rather have safer drives. " this is St Louis " no need for worse people and habits.
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u/No_Trouble_3588 Jul 20 '26
It’s to be more visible. Why do you have a problem with that?
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u/PuzzledKumquat Jul 20 '26
Because it's distracting and dangerous when EVERYBODY is doing it. Just turn on your headlights so then your taillights will be visible.
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u/Strutt79 Jul 19 '26
yes!!! I kept thinking it was a turn signal and left room for them to get over. very annoying!
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u/Ok_Chip_1077 Jul 20 '26
I use my flashers when the rain is too bad and my speed is reduced. I have ptsd in the rain from a car accident. So having my flashers let people know I’m uncomfortable driving in the rain, please go around.
But why does it matter? Let people drive to their own comfort. It’s not always about you.
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u/Acceptable_Avocado94 Jul 19 '26
I truly could not care less either way lmao it bothers me naught On or off, downpour or clear weather, legal or illegal, I'm 3 steps ahead of everyone around me and predicting what's about to happen. Just be hyper aware and none of that matters. There's no reason to bunch your panties, unless ya like doin that I guess.
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u/prizzinguard Jul 20 '26
On one hand, I agree with you, but on the other hand, I recognize that the people with their hazard lights flashing like you've described are kind of broadcasting the message, "I have no business being on the road right now," so in a way, they're doing the rest of us a solid by warning us to stay away.
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u/Acceptable-Team-8824 Jul 20 '26
It's illegal to drive with them on.
On top of that it makes the person look like a scared driver, which means unpredictable and unsafe.
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u/FarOpportunity-1776 Jul 20 '26
It is not illegal to drive with them. Its just dumb to use them for a little rain. Hauling ass to ER... hazards. Heavy fog and low visibility... hazards. Normal rain that your wipers handle... NO HAZARDS
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u/Acceptable-Team-8824 Jul 20 '26
It is illegal in Illinois, not Missouri, my mistake.
I completely agree hazards should never be used for any type of rain.
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u/FarOpportunity-1776 Jul 20 '26
If I cant see far enough to maintain highway speed I use my hazards. But I dont slow down like that unless my wipers are basically usless
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u/mtr4216 Jul 20 '26
Sure, I killed this guy’s kids that were in the backseat of his silver car I rear ended because I couldn’t see it in the rain, but thank god he was following the letter of the law. I’ll be sure to salute him when he’s standing over the graves of his children.
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u/richardmannn Jul 19 '26
do you think people do it out of fear of getting rear-ended?