When Did Driving With Emergency Flashers Become a Thing?

[8thTon]

Every time it's a little slippery half the vehicles are driving around with their emergency flashers on. "Hey thanks, I would never have noticed if it weren't for your flashers!" So now in addition to all the things you have to pay attention to there are lights flashing everywhere. We had a dusting of snow that turned to ice on some roads, and it took me 2hrs to get home. I detoured 3 times and turned around twice, all thanks to panicked idiots driving 15mph, most of them with their flashers on - and even then they ultimately failed to keep on the road, causing backups.

I guess I should be thankful they use the flashers, as it's a great advertisement that here's a panicked fool who's gonna do something stupid.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I don't remember it ever being an issue in Michigan... but in the Chicago area... it's a damn flasher fest. Even in just a steady rain.

 

[G8orFord]

It's actually against the law in Florida, but that doesn't stop a lot of folks.

 

[adsm08]

Typically they are to be used if you are travelling more than 5 MPH under the speed limit.

Also, apparently it is possible to live in PA and not have a clue how to drive in anything but sunny warm weather.

 

[8thTon]

Also, apparently it is possible to live in PA and not have a clue how to drive in anything but sunny warm weather.

Certainly seems so. It wasn’t always like that, but now even the threat of snow turns it into a festival of idiocy.

Who am I kidding, it’s a festival of idiocy on a clear dry day. Any little difficulty pushes them well past their capability.

Hey I know, let’s brake all the way down the hill while other traffic tries not to pile into the back end. Then, we can accelerate up the other side from a dead stop on our bald tires!

 

[RonD]

Its Trumps fault

 

[Dirtman]

I find there are three types of snow/ice drivers.

# 1 People who have no idea what to do and drive 5 mph in a panick with their flashers on. Usually dead center in the middle of the road so no one can safely pass them.

# 2 People who take appropriate precautions and drive at an appropriate speed and know how to drive in severe weather.

# 3 People who think they know how to drive through anything because they have a 4x4 and go way too fast in fits of rage swerving around everyone else because they aren't going fast enough.

Most accidents I see are when #1 and #3 meet...

 

[8thTon]

Its Trumps fault

I thought it was the snowflakes!

 

[Curious Hound]

It's an old thing. As Adsm08 mentioned, it is to alert other drivers that you are traveling significantly below the speed limit. My dad taught me that back in the 70's way before I was old enough to drive. Dad was a good driver until the last few years. Then he sometimes scared me.

What gets me are these people who put their flashers on and drive fast as if having the flashers on gives them permission to drive like s police officer or something. " Hey! Get out of my way! I have my flashers on so I'm privileged!"

 

[Dirtman]

I only use my flashers when I need to pull over on the side of the road for some reason. People who drive with them on are more dangerous because guess what doesn't function with flashers on... turn signals.

I don't know how many times I've seen delivery vans and garbage trucks almost hit or get hit by someone because they leave their flashers on between stops and when they go to make a turn no one can effing tell.

 

[Josh B]

I thought they were meant for breakdowns/or possibly parked (to talk on phone )
and well uhmmm, emergencies

 

[4.0blue98]

Nobody in Maryland other than me use turn signals anymore. Their trying to save energy I guess.

Everyday is an asshole parade...

 

[Curious Hound]

Nobody in Maryland other than me use turn signals anymore. Their trying to save energy I guess.

Everyday is an asshole parade...

Maryland is extremely close to Washington DC. You may have more than your fair share of asshole drivers. But trust me. They're everywhere.

 

[RonD]

I thought it was the snowflakes!

Well Global warming is causing the snowflakes, yes its a stretch, and Global warming is Trumps fault

 

[4.0blue98]

Maryland is extremely close to Washington DC. You may have more than your fair share of asshole drivers. But trust me. They're everywhere.

I seem to attract them... Like flies to a pile of sh!t.