--- title: "Driving With Your Hazards on in Bad Weather Might Be Illegal Where You Live" date: "2026-01-05" modified: "2026-01-05" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/driving-with-your-hazards-on-in-bad-weather-might-be-illegal-where-you-live" categories: - "Culture" - "News" --- # Driving With Your Hazards on in Bad Weather Might Be Illegal Where You Live ![GREENBRAE, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Cars drive along Highway 101 as rain falls on January 04, 2023 in Greenbrae, California]() *\Justin Sullivan/Getty Images\* It's no secret that this time of year means [trickier commutes]() in many parts of the country. When snow and icy rain start falling and visibility diminishes, some drivers like to flip on their hazard lights for peace of mind. The trouble is, according to experts, doing that can actually hinder safety to the point that multiple states actually forbid it. That last detail was surprising to me. I'm a Pennsylvania resident, and even I didn't know before doing a little research that the state has very specific laws about when and where hazard lights are permitted. As it turns out, the Keystone State *does* allow them in motion, [but only when]() the driver cannot maintain a minimum posted speed limit, or 25 mph in a "business or residence district," causing a disruption to the flow of traffic. Other states are more strict. [California's code]() doesn't mention a carve-out for driving with hazard lights in bad weather; just "to warn other motorists of accidents or hazards on a roadway." Otherwise, you pretty much have to be stopped. Florida was notably anti-hazards-in-motion until 2021, [when its law changed]() with explicit mention of "extremely low visibility on roadways with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour or higher." And [Louisiana]() and [New Mexico]() flatly disallow the practice. So it's clear that every state's legislature has a different opinion on this matter and, in some cases, those opinions are changing. AAA used to have a running list of the regulations in every state (and Canadian province, for good measure), but that page was seemingly taken down roughly five years ago. You can still [access it via Internet Archive](), but of course it's not current, predating more recent amendments like Florida's. ![LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Traffic flows on the 5 Freeway on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA.]() **Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images** As for the question of why some states—not to mention, AAA itself—have taken a hardline stance on this, the rationale is simple. Hazard lights were originally intended to be used by stopped, disabled vehicles on a roadway, and that's it. From a distance, you can't tell if the car ahead, with all its signals pulsing, is standing still or moving, which is confusing. Active hazard lights also prevent drivers from signaling turns and lane changes, which is even more crucial to do when visibility is hampered. There's a psychological element at play, too. "People tend to drive where their eyes are looking, and you don't want them driving towards you when your hazards \[are\] flashing." Dr. William Van Tassel, AAA's Manager of Driver Training Programs, recently told [AccuWeather](). Plus, the idea that you can reduce the risk of driving in inclement conditions by using your hazards could give someone false confidence. "There's no additional traction on their tires," Van Tassel added. "The hazard flashers don't affect that." Driving in bad weather can obviously be stressful, and it's only natural that people will engage in behavior to reduce that stress, even if it doesn't pose any objective benefit. Rest assured that your vehicle's normal lights are good enough for the job of letting everybody know where you are in a storm. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()