In the rainy season, it is quite common to see someone flashing their hazard lights. In a severe thunderstorm, Florida drivers will flash their lights to signal a stop or to warn of a hazard blocking the road.

Florida drivers who use hazard lamps on roads can make it more dangerous to drive in a downpour. This is an offense punishable with a fine of up to $129. You can only use hazard lights while your vehicle is moving during a funeral procession.

Hazard lights indicate a stationary object blocking a road. They should be used only when the vehicle isn’t in motion, disabled, or at the side. If a vehicle is using hazard lights while it is moving, it indicates that it will stop abruptly. It can make it hard for other drivers to see the vehicle’s location.

You can cause danger for other drivers and yourself by using these lights while driving. Instead of turning on the lights to make other drivers avoid you, slow down. If you feel uncomfortable driving in heavy rainstorms, pull over to the side of traffic and then use your hazard light once you have stopped completely.

Be sure to inform your family and friends about the laws governing hazard lighting if they are frequently using their hazard light in a storm. Inform them about the dangers and benefits of using hazard lights. You should always make sure your headlights work and not switch to high beams during rainy or foggy conditions. This can create glare for other drivers.

This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is a car accident attorney in St Petersburg. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injury. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your individual situation.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.  This website contains links to other third-party websites.  Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.