Why do vehicles travelling through pedestrian areas flash their hazard lights?

Question

Do the drivers (and possibly the Highway Code - its been a while since I've read it) think that we won't see, or hear, their 7.5 ton lorry travelling through the shopping precinct if they haven't got those little orange lights blinking?

Answer 1

i totally agree with twisted ace,,
i drive a van and sometimes i have to reverse into customers site it's amazing the people that DON'T see reversing lights
or they are wearing blinkers,maybe it's a case of OH LETS BEAT THE VAN.
WHAT THEY FAIL TO REALISE I HAVEN'T GOT REAR WINDOWS THUS CAN'T SEE THE LITTLE DARLINGS
i use hazard warning lights thus giving THE STEVIE WONDERS of this world something to look at before i hit them
so people if you see a van/truck about to reversae acoss your path STAY WHERE YOU ARE it's bad enought with the IDIOTS on the road,,,,,
thats it gripe over :)

Answer 2

When Im travelling through a city on a street with several lanes of traffic and I see someone crossing at a crosswalk where there are no traffic lights, I look in my mirrors and if the traffic is heavy I do put on my hazard lights as well as tap my brake lights several times to warn others behind me who may not be aware of the pedestrian who is crossing.
Hazard lights are used to warn other drivers and communicate that they are broken down or moving slower than other traffic or that there is something very important up ahead.
I think drivers should take every precaution possible to prevent injury to others.

Answer 3

hazard warning lights are for vehicles that are standing still causing a hazard to other road users lorry's by law need reversing warning signals fitted these days.
if a driver uses his hazard waring lights in a pedestrian zone it is simply the fact he is just trying to stand out more in case anything happens.
but he should not use them unless the vehicle is not moving

Answer 4

Twisted ace is a fool pedestrians are not stupid ,motorists are ignorant.When your shopping in a pedestrionised area the last thing your expecting to bump into is a large lorry driven by a big hairy sweatty monkey.The high way code is outdated you can use your hazard lights when moving motorists on motorways put them on when traffic is slowing down to warn motorists behind of the danger thats why there called hazard lights get it?

Answer 5

Some newer models automatically flash the hazard lights if the driver brakes sharply.

Answer 6

Vehicle hazard warning lights should only be used while the vehicle is stationary and not while in motion.

The Highway Code96: Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. ...
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/08.htm

Answer 7

hazard waring lights are for when the car,truck what ever is not moving,it is against the law in the UK to move your vehicle with the hazards on

regards x Kitti x

Answer 8

who knows? when I was traffic warden people used to put their hazard lights on thinking it exempted them from regulations. Maybe these people think the same

Answer 9

Yes, exactly that.

Pedestrians are remarkably stupid and often don't see or hear vehicles. Therefore, utility and delivery vehicles using pedestrian areas will use their hazards in the hope that some idiot will actually see them, before walking under the vehicle and thus avoid getting hurt.

I used to do shop deliveries and I have even had pedestrians stood behind my truck, whilst I'm reversing, absolutely fascinated by the warning alarm shouting "Danger, this vehicle is reversing"!

You cannot legislate against stupidity...

Answer 10

Hazard lights dont have nothing ta do w/ ped....
either hes double parked, to unload something,
or hes gettin ready to back up..........or forgot to turn them off......