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Question

Difficulty: HardLighting and Horn Usage

You are travelling at 70 mph on a motorway when you observe traffic ahead braking severely due to a sudden obstruction. Which action is the legally correct method of using your vehicle's warning systems to alert following drivers?

  1. A
    Flash your headlights repeatedly to signal to approaching vehicles behind that you are conceding right of way.
  2. B
    Come to a complete stop in the running lane and deploy a portable warning triangle behind your vehicle.
  3. Briefly switch on your hazard warning lights until following traffic has observed the danger and slowed down.Answer
  4. D
    Leave your hazard warning lights operating continuously while changing lanes to bypass the slowing queue.

Answer

Briefly switch on your hazard warning lights until following traffic has observed the danger and slowed down.
According to Rule 116 of The Highway Code, hazard warning lights must not be used while driving or being towed, except on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway when you need to warn traffic behind of an obstruction or severe deceleration ahead. You should only use them long enough for following traffic to react.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the driving environment and nature of the hazard.
You are travelling on a high-speed motorway with rapidly decelerating traffic ahead, creating a rear-end collision risk.
Recognising the high-speed motorway context is crucial because specific lighting exemptions apply here that are prohibited on normal roads.
2
Apply the statutory rule governing moving hazard warning light usage.
The Highway Code Rule 116 permits hazard warning lights while in motion exclusively on motorways or unrestricted dual carriageways to alert following traffic to sudden danger.
Hazard lights normally must only be used when stationary to indicate a temporary obstruction.
3
Determine the proper duration and operational limits of the signal.
Activate the hazard warning lights only until following traffic has clearly acknowledged the hazard and begun braking, then switch them off immediately.
Leaving hazard warning lights on indefinitely or while changing lanes masks turn indicator signals and causes dangerous confusion.

Key Concept

Permissible use of hazard warning lights on high-speed motorways
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Lighting and Horn Usage

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