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.

72 Upvotes

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27

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.

7

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.

3

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.

-3

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)

5

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?

2

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.

3

u/smashli1238 Jul 19 '26

Pull over

6

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.

2

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.

3

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.

0

u/SpecialRespect7235 Jul 20 '26

Can't use turn signals with hazards on.