Recently, the Columbus area experienced its wettest May in decades and continued rainfall in June brought roughly 6.3 more inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Continued rainfall also brings issues of low visibility and slick road conditions for drivers, raising discussions of how best to remain safe during hazardous conditions.
Is it best to use your car’s hazard lights? Is it legal to drive with your hazards on in Mississippi? What about surrounding states?
What is the law in Mississippi and other states in the southeast?
While it’s not uncommon to see hazard lights used in times of severe weather, not all states allow their use in that situation.
While in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia it is legal to drive with your hazards on during inclement weather, currently Louisiana law prohibits driving with your hazards unless they’re used to indicate a hazard.
Similarly, it is illegal to drive with hazard lights on in Arkansas and Tennessee unless indicating a hazard, like a car stopped on the side of a road. Some vehicles are allowed an exception in Tennessee, like motorcycles leading a funeral procession or authorized vehicles carrying an organ for transplant.
The varying state laws appear to stem from the mixed outcomes that can occur when driving with your hazards on.
Is turning on your hazard lights during inclement weather conditions the best option?
Driving with hazard lights on isn’t necessarily the best method of remaining safe in hazardous weather conditions, said Mississippi State Highway Patrol Sgt. Derrick Beckom.
“I don’t think it’s a safe thing to do, as far as having your hazards on and driving in poor weather conditions, because you could have a person thinking that you’re pulled over and you’re not pulled over and you’re continuing to drive, or vice versa,” he said.
Before driving in poor weather, drivers should make sure their brake lights are working properly to ensure the vehicle is visible in hazardous conditions, Beckom said.
Beckom said using hazard lights during bad weather is a decision best left up to the driver, who should weigh their own experience level when deciding whether to drive in inclement weather.
“Unless there’s a dire emergency, with the type of weather we’ve been having, just simply stay home,” he said.
What are some other ways to stay safe on the road during hazardous weather conditions?
While hazard lights may be one of the tools on a car that drivers think of to aid in inclement weather conditions, there are a number of other ways to stay safe,” said Beckom.
When driving in low visibility conditions, Beckom said it’s best to drive slowly and be aware of your surroundings.
“What people don’t understand is speed limits are for ideal weather conditions,” Beckom said. “… When (you’re) talking about rain, high winds and things like that, that’s when you want to adjust… to a slower speed, to where you can have better control of your vehicle.”
Drivers should also maintain their vehicle’s windshield wipers, tires, headlights and tail lights to avoid issues of hydroplaning and visibility during storms, Beckom added.
“All this can sound expensive, but it’ll never be too expensive when we’re talking about the potential life being lost or a crash happening,” he said.
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