Another example of legislation run amok . . . . nothing wrong with the prior law or guidance and now this change will create more confusion and potentially dangerous situations on FL interstate and state highways.
Legislative incompetence or ignorance, you decide.
This is a tough one. The law has always been that flashers should not be used when driving. But like the article stated it is common for drivers to do it in a downpour (and Florida has some doozies) and rarely enforced. In fact it would have been nearly impossible to enforce. I could go either way on it. Some drivers are going so slow during a hard rain that the flashers do make it easier to see them. While it’s probably best for a driver to pull over completely and stop, I can see their reluctance on stopping on the shoulder of the interstate.
So instead of allowing drivers to warn others via hazards when visibility is low, you’d rather have cops risk their lives pulling people over in blinding rainstorms to ticket people for trying to be safe. Not sure that’s the best use of their time, is it?
Has anyone ever had to slam their brakes on the highway because the cars stopped so fast? How many of you had to pump your brakes to let the people behind you know that the traffic is stopping suddenly fast? I rest my case. I do not let any entity dictate my safety on or off the road.
Another example of legislation run amok . . . . nothing wrong with the prior law or guidance and now this change will create more confusion and potentially dangerous situations on FL interstate and state highways.
Legislative incompetence or ignorance, you decide.
What’s the worst that could happen? You see hazards blinking up ahead in the pouring rain so you slow down.
“And many drivers disobey the law during the state’s extreme thunderstorms, which can come out of nowhere and reduce visibility to just a few feet.
Those drivers include Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Palm Harbor, the lawmaker responsible for changing the law this session.
“I will admit I’ve done it more than once,” said Hooper, a retired firefighter. “I turn those lights on just so I don’t get rear-ended.””
This is a tough one. The law has always been that flashers should not be used when driving. But like the article stated it is common for drivers to do it in a downpour (and Florida has some doozies) and rarely enforced. In fact it would have been nearly impossible to enforce. I could go either way on it. Some drivers are going so slow during a hard rain that the flashers do make it easier to see them. While it’s probably best for a driver to pull over completely and stop, I can see their reluctance on stopping on the shoulder of the interstate.
Put flashers on and then try to move to the side of the road. Sometimes we can’t even see the side of the road so flashers may be a good idea.
Don’t change the law inforce it
So instead of allowing drivers to warn others via hazards when visibility is low, you’d rather have cops risk their lives pulling people over in blinding rainstorms to ticket people for trying to be safe. Not sure that’s the best use of their time, is it?
Has anyone ever had to slam their brakes on the highway because the cars stopped so fast? How many of you had to pump your brakes to let the people behind you know that the traffic is stopping suddenly fast? I rest my case. I do not let any entity dictate my safety on or off the road.