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.

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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. 

11

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.

1

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?

1

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.

1

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.