Vehicles with indicators/hazards on in laybys

[Tim Cognito]

When driving on dual carriageways when it's dark, does anyone else dislike it when cars are parked up in a layby with the left indicator (or worse - hazards) on?

I find often you can see the hazards/lights ahead but it's not initially possible to be 100% sure that they haven't broken down/had an accident and could be partially blocking the left lane, which would be a very bad situation if I am still travelling in that lane, which leads to a precautionary move into the outside lane (not always easy in something underpowered like a van)...only to get closer and see they are just sat safely in a layby.

[Pebbles167]

Can be a bit annoying, tail lights alone would do.

Still, at least they're thinking about others instead of just themselves, not a given in modern driving standards.

[Pica-Pica]

Doesn't bother me. Hazards in a lay-by in daytime would. Not as annoying as, when on a bus, cars wait in a bus-stop lay-by. But even worse, was when a car overtook a bus waiting at a standard bus stop, and went onbthe other side of the road around the wrong side of a keep left sign. You see all sorts of crap driving when on a bus.

[Haltamer]

Depends on the quality of lay-by...

On one with proper separation from traffic, no, if it's just a pullout (Only in case of passenger plea to pee / puke) then I will consider leaving the indicator on, simply as an extra flashing light to catch attention -

With the hope that it would prevent someone from target fixing on the taillights expecting me to be at road speed!

[whimsical ninja]

Wouldn't bother me. Whether they're broken down or parked, the effect is the same: a stationary car on a (possibly) high speed road, maybe in a situation where driver or passengers may exit the car without warning. Regardless of motive they are a hazard and vulnerable so it's useful information and a flashing indicator/hazards are going to flag it up just that little bit more.

[PhilAsia]

Would not bother me, but hazard use for parking is not a good idea. It is a distraction and also confusing if another vehicle parks behind, as it looks as if their intention is to move off.

[Sheepshanks]

PhilAsia said:

Would not bother me, but hazard use for parking is not a good idea. It is a distraction and also confusing if another vehicle parks behind, as it looks as if their intention is to move off.

It’s illegal to use them when parked.

[Sebring440]

Sheepshanks said:

It s illegal to use them when parked.

Got a source for that?

[Sheepshanks]

Sebring440 said:

Sheepshanks said:

It's illegal to use them when parked.

Got a source for that?

Road vehicles lighting regulations 1989.

It's very limited when you can use hazard lights - pretty well only while causing an obstruction on the road.

It used to be technically illegal to use them on the hard shoulder of a motorway but IIRC they fixed that by making it part of the highway.

[dvenman]

Sebring440 said:

Sheepshanks said:

It s illegal to use them when parked.

Got a source for that?

Maybe an interpretation of https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/lighting-requireme... - section 116.

Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking

[PhilAsia]

dvenman said:

Sebring440 said:

Sheepshanks said:

It s illegal to use them when parked.

Got a source for that?

Maybe an interpretation of https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/lighting-requireme... - section 116.

Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking

114 & 116

[balham123]

It annoys me that Waze reports them as 'stationary vehicle ahead'. They are parked. Off the road, I don't need to know