It is Now Legal to Drive with Your Flashers and Hazard Lights on in Florida

It is Now Legal to Drive with Your Flashers and Hazard Lights on in Florida

The new law in Florida will now allow drivers to do something that was illegal for years: using their flashers or hazard lights, while driving in the rain.

The Florida Highway Patrol, says that the new "Sunshine State law" no longer prohibits driving with flashing hazard lights in certain severe weather conditions on certain roadways. This law goes into effect: July 1, 2021.

Specifically, drivers can now activate their "flashing lights" when conditions create "extreme low visibility" while they are on roads with speed limits at or above 55 mph. Those weather conditions include heavy rain, fog, or smoke. 

Florida joins more than 40 other states allowing drivers to use hazard lights while driving in certain situations. . 

Before this new law on July 1, 2021... if a Florida driver had their hazard lights on – even during a downpour – they were driving illegally. 

Under the previous law, hazard lights were only meant for when your car has broken down or stopped on the side of the road. The only time it can be used while driving your vehicle is if you are in a funeral procession. It would then be a signal to other drivers not to drive in between or interfere with the procession.

The Florida Highway Patrol, with this new law, wanted to offer some tips and reminders about driving in bad weather

Turn lights and wipers on. Florida law requires that if a vehicle’s wipers are in use, headlights must be on. To ensure high visibility, headlights should be clean and clear and wipers should be replaced at least once a year.

·Slow down. Keep a safe stopping distance between vehicles and avoid passing and/or changing lanes. Wet pavement can result in skidding and hydroplaning. Be patient and stay alert. Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide.

·Turn around; don't drown. Never drive through flooded areas. The area of roadway beneath the water may be washed out or may conceal debris or even power lines.

·Never stop on the road. Doing so may result in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal first and carefully pull off as far as possible. After pulling completely off the road, turn on hazard flashers.