Using hazard warning lights
Only use hazard lights to alert other drivers to your presence when you have stopped. Do not use hazard lights even moving except on limited access highways. Here you can used hazard lights briefly to warn the vehicles behind that there is a hold-up.
Using the brake light
Use the brake light to indicate that you are slowing down or intend to stop. Remember to carry out rear observation before using your brakes.
- Use your brake light as an early indication of your intention to slow down. Lightly touch your brakes, well in advance of the anticipated hazard, to alert the driver behind you to your intention
- Remember that rear fog lights are as bright as brake lights and may mask them when you are slowing down
Flashing your headlight
Use headlight flashes when the horn would not be heard and in place of the horn at night. Headlight flashes should only be used for one purpose: to inform other road users of your presence. Never assume that a headlight flash from another driver is a signal to proceed.
A headlight flash can be used before overtaking in day light to alert other driver your presence. Flash your headlight early enough to allow the other drivers to react to it.
The purpose of the flash is to inform the drivers in front of our presence, not that you intend to overtake. Use it when speed makes it likely that the horn would not be heard.
During darkness use headlight flashes to inform other road users of your presence:
- on the approach to a hill crest or narrow hump-back bridge
- when traveling along very narrow winding roads
Do not give these signals when they might be misunderstood by road users for whom they are not intended.
