[Mustang Sammy]

My ScorpioN hazard lights automatically come on for a few seconds if I apply the brakes hard.
I also use the lights to signal an upcoming hazard like a stopped vehicle, animal crossing or dangerously placed barricades to the vehicles behind me.

[igar]

- Avoid driving at night as much as possible, especially between 2 to 6 am, as this is when people are typically in deep sleep and accidents are more likely due to fatigue and lack of concentration.
- If night driving is unavoidable, stop at the first sign of tiredness, such as yawning. This indicates your body needs rest. Park at a petrol station for safety, lock your doors, keep the engine running, and set the air conditioning to a comfortable level. Take a nap before continuing your journey.
- If you are unfamiliar with the roads, drive cautiously and avoid pushing the car too hard.
In hilly or ghat sections, be extra vigilant. Avoid overtaking even if it seems safe because these areas are unpredictable. Follow the vehicle ahead at a safe distance.
- Use hand signals in ghat sections, prioritizing larger vehicles and giving them the right of way.
Learn to use engine braking to slow down the vehicle as much as possible.
- Always check the condition of your tires when you stop, and ensure you have enough windscreen washer fluid before starting your trip.
Use low beam headlights and dip them for oncoming traffic. Honk briefly when overtaking large vehicles or at junctions.
- To prevent adrenaline rush from disrupting your sleep before and after the trip, engage in physical activities like walking, cycling, or meditation the day before. This will help you tire out and get adequate rest before your journey and after you arrive.
- Never stop your vehicle if someone tries to flag you down on the highway. Security checks are usually conducted at toll gates, not in the middle of the road. Stay alert and keep an eye on the road ahead to anticipate any potential issues.

[Raghu M]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

My experience of hazard lights is totally different and how it has been effective for me, here the car speeds are way high, so when a car is ahead of you say around 400m, human brain won’t be able to perceive its true speed, now if this distance is longer than this, it’s bit more difficult for you to comprehend the actual speed.

So if the lead car 400m ahead switches the hazard light, I get aware in time for the some oncoming hazard in time, doesn’t matter if it’s stopped or broken down and I can slow down the vehicle in time rather than hard braking at the fag end. This feature is very very common here and everyone uses it when rapidly deaccelrating from high speeds. Have saved me zillion times. So I’m happy among the stupids if it saves me and appreciate the stupids who give that signal well in time irrespective of what the law/rule says.

Exactly my thoughts. The XUV 3OO automatically switches on the hazard lights when you brake tightly. I don't fully get this concept of only using hazard lights while parking. There are situations where I used them to alert the cars behind me on multiple occasions. I understand their purpose but India is not for beginners!

[Raghu M]

Originally Posted by Vikash Kumawat

I have seen some stupids/legends using hazard lights while driving the car, even there are some YouTubers who have millions of subscribers use hazard lights while raining and fog, these things mislead the people, hazard lights are to be used while in any breakdown or your car parked just near the road.

Some modern cars have their hazard lights automatically switched on while braking instantly or in urgency. So, they have more than one use that is apart from parking or breakdown. Switching them on while driving in heavy pothole area or broken roads/barricades set up helps the traffic right behind you.

[Mr.Fawlty]

Originally Posted by ashkamath

...what will they use to indicate an actual hazard such as a breakdown of their vehicle that is stationary on the road? what is the differentiator between a hazard and inconvenience and driving hassle or irritant?

Very valid argument. The use of blinkers (hazard, as well as, indicators) have taken all sorts of different interpretations. Some even regional. I always indicate when changing lanes or turning, even in an empty road. Now, recently while driving along a two lane state highway in the hinterlands of Bengal, I was following a slow moving truck waiting for a chance to overtake. This guy suddenly turns on his right indicator. I assume he's going to take a right somewhere and slow down behind. A few seconds later I notice he's waving his hand asking me to pass, indicator still blinking. I was utterly confused! I did pass him eventually as quickly as possible, after I noticed a clear lane with no right turns coming up. Checked in the rear view and see he has turned off his right blinkers and now driving behind me in straight line. In fact there was no turn for KMs after. That's when it struck me: he uses his right blinkers to indicate traffic behind to pass. But then what does he do to actually indicate a turn?!

Coming to weird application of the hazard lights...many people seem to use those for everything other than an actual hazard. Thus so many of those rear ending of stationary vehicles. Some drivers just go away leaving their broken down trucks/buses, a few throw around some tree branches. How many drivers of LMVs actually place the warning/hazard triangle in recommended safe distance behind their vehicles when say changing tyres etc. though?!

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by Mr.Fawlty

The use of blinkers (hazard, as well as, indicators) have taken all sorts of different interpretations. Some even regional.

That's when it struck me: he uses his right blinkers to indicate traffic behind to pass. But then what does he do to actually indicate a turn?!

Coming to weird application of the hazard lights...many people seem to use those for everything other than an actual hazard. Thus so many of those rear ending of stationary vehicles.

I agree with your point "he uses his right blinkers to indicate traffic behind to pass". This is where the education is important for these drivers.

You use blinkers (indicators/harard lights) to show others 'YOUR INTENTION". You use the right blinker to say " I AM TURNING RIGHT SOON"
or you switch on the hazard lights to say "I AM IN A HAZARDOUS CONDITION /SITUATION"

When the truck driver used his right blinker indicating you to pass, what's happening is, instead of expressing his intentions, he is telling you "YOU CAN OVERTAKE ME NOW".

Did you notice the narrative here. The blinkers usage turned from "I AM" to "YOU CAN". They are two totally different intentions flashed out.

Now, the question is, why should the truck driver intent to tell us to do anything at all. If he intended to tell / help us, then the right way is to use left blinkers indicating "I AM VEERING TO MY LEFT, SO THAT YOU CAN OVERTAKE ME SAFELY".

See, here again it is the right usage of blinkers because the narrative is "I AM" doing this because this is within my control and this is my intention.
when you say "YOU CAN OVERTAKE ME" you lose the narrative because you do not control my actions and you don't know or control my intentions.

Please do not mind my usage of "YOU" & "ME" here to put across my point of view. I am using them metaphorically / figuratively. The point is all the drivers just have to use their blinkers to express their intention, whether they are turning left or right etc instead of advising the vehicle behind to overtake. This is some education, that every driver should learn and understand.

[glovins2004]

Sharing some of my experience - Perils of 4 lane National Highways

Try to stay on left lane or close to the center while driving through 4 lane highways, especially on NH44 between Hyderabad and Bangalore stretch.

I was driving towards Bangalore from Hyderabad a week ago, as I was approaching Anantapur around 21:00 Hrs. I noticed some object on middle of the right lane, it appeared like a plastic use and throw cover, so thought of go over it but much to my surprise it was a medium size plastic bucket lying on middle of the India’s longest Highway.

It was less than 50 meters by the time I realized, hence the impact was imminent and no way out. This is what happened in few seconds, the bucket went below the chassis on got stuck underneath in the middle section, vehicle was cruising around 90 to 100Kmph.

I could hear a loud noise as the bucket was scrapping along the road at this speed, I gracefully pulled over to the shoulders, but it was very narrow, no other options at this point. Got down from the car and noticed a paint bucket stuck underneath, I did not turn off the engine, head lights and hazard lights were on.

I tried to pull out of the bucket, but it did not budge an inch coz one end of the bucket was bit hard and firmly stuck, used mobile torch and with my full force I tried to pull out, somehow it came out and by god’s grace no impact to engine components nor any leaks observed.

Time to reflect.

I’m sure there was some window left when I initially noticed the object, should have tried to safety switch lanes instead of waiting till point of no return. As per the first sight, it appeared just like a plastic bag, never thought it would be a hard paint bucket on middle of the highway.

Henceforth, I’ll make a point to move away if I can do it safety. On the following day I noticed a small cup on the road, and I tried to move away, I told myself penny wise and dollar foolish.

Takeaway

If you spot any object more than 50% tall of your cars ground clearance and no vehicles in the close vicinity, safety switch lane if you can.

Well, doesn’t matter how good the road ahead but there always be perils along the way, watch out and drive safe.

[KrisTvpm]

Would like to bring a pertinent issue faced on highways -particularly across TamilNadu, could be the same in other states too- highways authority or whoever they sub-contract to maintain the flowering plants on dividers between the two stretches of roads on either side place diversion cones haphazardly across many stretches, without even a warning sign

At some stretches they even place these cones just after sharp curves/turns on roads. By chance if one were on the "wrong" lane, they are sure to get caught surprised.

This is no way to make temporary diversions across highways; have tweeted to Nitin Gadkari/NHAI about this menace - hope they don't brush it off with disdain