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DriveSmartBC - 2013/06/01 - 11:22
Four way flashers are meant to be used as a warning.
Flashing lamps
4.28 (7) Turn signals, or side-marker lamps used in conjunction with turn signals, may be used as warning lights by a slow moving vehicle as described in Division 7B or as warning lights whenever a vehicle is disabled on a highway.
The Ministry of Transportation also posts warning signs (not regulatory) on steep grades.
W-325 SLOW TRUCKS USE 4-WAY FLASHERS ON GRADE SIGN
The W-325 SLOW TRUCKS USE 4-WAY FLASHERS ON GRADE warning sign advises commercial vehicle operators and other large vehicles to use their 4-way flashers when traveling downhill to alert other motorists of the speed differential between their vehicle and the other vehicles.
This sign may be used on grades where the operating speed of large trucks is expected to drop 30 km/h or more below the posted speed limit.
It is restricted in use, and should be used on high speed, multi-lane highways or freeways only under the authorization of the Senior Traffic Engineer in consultation with Highway Safety Section. W-326
This sign should be installed at the start of and intermittently along steep and/or long grades.
Some motorcycles exhibit strange behavior on the blinkers when switching out from Incandescent to LED blinker lamps. You may experience what we call the 4-Way Blink Problem, where all turn signals on the motorcycle blink simultaneously - regardless of the direction you choose on the handlebar turn signal selector switch! Basically, the blinkers behave like hazards anytime you try to use them.
What Causes the 4-Way Blink Problem?
This problem actually has nothing to do with the flasher relay on the motorcycle. A flasher relay can not cause, or fix this particular issue.
The problem stems from a lack of restive load (incandescent bulbs) on a blinker system that was designed for incandescent bulbs - however the best solution is actually NOT to add resistors. It is actually best to solve the problem at the source, which is the turn signal indicator lamp in the gauge cluster. The turn signal indicator lamp is the little light that blinks next to the speedometer when you are turning.
It is at the turn signal indicator lamp where both the left and right turn signal circuits are brought together. Left turn circuit on one side of the indicator lamp "filament" and right turn circuit on the other side. With the incandescent turn signal bulbs installed, the system behaves as designed where voltage on either the left or right turn signal circuits illuminates the turn signal indicator lamp. This is achieved simply by allowing the opposite side turn signal circuit from the one activated, to function as a ground path for the indicator lamp. The small amount of current that passes through the indicator lamp in the gauge cluster is not enough to illuminate the power-hungry incandescent bulbs, and they simply function as a ground path without lighting up at all. When removing these incandescent bulbs and installing LEDs, you have removed this ground path - which usually leaves the turn signal indicator lamp inoperative - AND you have introduced voltage to the opposite side turn signal circuit which is enough to illuminate the super efficient LEDs.
OK, So How Do I Fix the 4-Way Blink Problem?
The pure solution to the 4-Way Blink Problem (not the simple one, but the correct solution) is to diode isolate the two turn signal circuits leading to the gauge cluster, and provide a dedicated ground for the indicator lamp.
This is done by finding these two turn signal circuit wires leading into the gauge cluster (typically the same wire colors as found at the blinker lamps themselves). Once you properly identify them in the harness leading to the gauge cluster, you cut them and install a Diode (1N4001) in each circuit (with the gray band towards the gauge cluster) on the two wires feeding power from the turn signal circuit. You will then combine the outputs of the diodes into one of the two wires leading into the gauge cluster, and ground the other wire going into the gauge cluster.
The diodes will keep electricity from being able to cross over from one turn signal circuit to the other, but it will allow the two circuits to be combined to power the indicator lamp properly.
The following crude sketch illustrates the concept.
The 1N4001 diodes can be purchased from our website here. You will need 2 diodes for a proper install.
Dude, You Lost Me!
If installing the diodes seems too involved for you, don't despair, there is another solution. The simplest way to fix this problem is to add some resistive load to your blinker system to damp out these crossover voltages and restore the ground path for the indicator lamp. One pair of our Stage I Load Equalizers may sufficient to solve this problem on some modern sportbikes, however most bikes do require more than one pair, or larger Load Equalizers altogether. Older bikes require as much as 25 Watts to be dissipated through a resistor to eliminate this problem!
I'm afraid it will take a little experimentation to get the right amount of load. But, if installing one pair of the OEM blinkers back on the motorcycle eliminates the 4-way blink problem, then you can be sure that an equally sized Load Equalizer will do the same (match the wattage of the original incandescent bulb, to that of our Load Equalizer).
When should you flash?
With whiteout conditions around the area yesterday, conversations about when it is appropriate to use your hazard lights came to the forefront.
A number of websites pointed to the fact that anytime you are going considerably below the posted limit due to conditions, one should use the four-way flashers.
But a conversation with Constable Joe Ayotte of the Peterborough OPP confirms that police believe the best practice is to not drive with hazards on.
“There is nothing against the Highway Traffic Act stating that you can’t drive with your four-ways on but we are not recommending it,” says Ayotte. “Four-ways should be used when you are on the side of the road, stopped and are in an emergency situation waiting for a tow truck.”
The logic is your turn indicators do not work once the four-ways are going, so other drivers cannot predict what lane you are going to be in.
“People can’t tell where you are going,” he says.
Most drivers have seen tractor-trailers merging onto highways or on inclines use their four-way flashers because they are driving at much slower than the posted limit.
Ayotte, who was at a training course said it even created a conversation among colleagues, who all offered opinions.
“I clarified with some of our highway safety division guys and there was even a little bit of a debate between us so that’s what we came up with,” he offers.
Some people who were participating in online conversations on My Muskoka Now’s Facebook page referenced the Ontario Driver’s Handbook, which in part indicates that using hazards anywhere but when a vehicle is stopped or broken down should be avoided.
As Ayotte points out, “Your turn signals are being used by your four-way flashers most times so people can’t tell if you are changing lanes if you are turning at all, so those are Highway Traffic Act infractions.”
Across the country, only four provinces ban the use of four-way flashers while driving. The laws in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan state that hazard lights should only be used in emergency situations where a vehicle has stopped on or beside a roadway. PEI states, “Hazard lights may not be used on a highway when a vehicle is moving.”
Saskatchewan gets the most specific, citing, “Hazard lights may not be used unless a vehicle is coming to a stop or is standing on a highway, it is necessary to do so for the safe operation of the vehicle, or the vehicle presents a hazard to other vehicles on the highway.”
The remaining provinces and territories all say it is either not against the law, such as Ontario, or recommends the use of four-way flashers.
In the North-West Territories, the law states, “A vehicle that is travelling at less than 40 km/h, owing to vehicle impairment, must have its hazard lights activated.”
One of the most versatile, and important, lights to know on a vehicle is your car hazard lights. Whether you are broken down on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck to come and help you, or you are delivery driver making a side delivery pick up, there is many reasons to use the car hazard light. But, are you effectively using the hazard lights on your dash board? We’ll discuss the following uses and best practices for the car hazard lights.
What Are Hazard Lights
Hazard lights are used on vehicles to warn those cars surrounding them that there is an issue with your vehicle. Hazard lights are normally amber front and tail lights that flash on and off to be visible to every driver on the road beside you. Enabling your hazard lights is normally done through the use of clicking the hazard light symbol on the front of your vehicle, whether it be an individual button or part of an array of buttons.
When to Use Hazard Lights
Hazard lights on the road are used to alert others of an event happening to your vehicle, though use of hazard lights is widely used by construction vehicles to inform those on the road that there is active roadwork happening. Some other good cases for hazard lights are as follows:
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Being Pulled Over
When you are being pulled over by a police officer there is no confusion that it is happening, between the loud whooping of the vehicle as well as the distinguished red and blue LED lights. Simply enabling your hazard lights, you will be able to inform the officer that you are complying with their wishes so there’s no confusion.
Emergency need to change tire
If your tire pressure warning light illuminates and you pull over to find your tire flat, you will need to change your tire itself. Illuminating your hazard lights will all you to communicate with those passing you that you are stopped on the side of the road and to avoid driving too close. Once your tire is completely changed you can simply put turn your hazards off an continue driving down the road.
Roadside Assistance
If you find your car needs to make an emergency stop on the side of the road, resulting in a towing service. The best thing to do would be to turn your hazard lights on, and wait for the tow truck to arrive. When slowing down to move to the side of the room you should first turn on your turn signal to warn those behind you. Once your car is parked fully turning on your hazard lights is advised to make sure that there is no one coming too close to your car.
When Not to Use Hazard Lights
With most things that are loosely regulated there is a correct and incorrect way to operate a certain car indicator:
Parking Illegally
Parking illegally is one of the biggest offenders of this abuse, with people using their hazard lights to create them a parking spot instead of waiting for a spot to open. This is a large occurrence in city driving, with extremely limited amount of spaces available there is a large amount of time people will create their own spaces. This is not only illegal and can be a ticket able offense, but it Is also a generally dangerous thing to do in general as limiting the area for others to drive around can prove to be dangerous.
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Using a Turn Signal Instead
Unfortunately, more people than not have found themselves needing to exit the highway or parkway due to an issue with their vehicle. The worst case of this, though, is the event where your car is slowing down and losing power and exiting is the only answer. Using a turn signal in these situations are normally more effective than driving with hazard lights on. While you are using them to attempt to warn those around you of a problem on the vehicle, stopping the flow of traffic is just even worse. When you turn your hazard lights on both of your turn signals are disabled, not allowing you the ability to warn others getting off at the same exit. Once your car is stationary and stopped is the most optimal time to use your hazard lights.
Hazard Lights in the Rain
If you have ever caught yourself driving in a bad rainstorm you know the hassle of being able to see with full visibility. This is due to the amount of reflections bouncing off the wet road from the headlights of oncoming cars. When you enable your hazard lights you light themselves will blink, causing an interruption to visibility while driving. Best practice is to avoid enabling hazard lights when you are driving and wait until you are securely parked.
Practicing good habits when using your hazard lights is advised as to not ever run into trouble with the law, since certain states have different laws centering around the use of your hazard lights. Being courteous with the operation of your hazard lights is also advised as everyone is sharing the road and safety should be priority. Doing this will allow for the best driving experience for all.