<font color="blue"> </font> ( § 547.331. Hazard Lamps Permitted
(a) A vehicle may be equipped with lamps to warn other vehicle operators of a vehicular traffic hazard that requires unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing.
The problem lies, when ALL the vehicles, on an interstate for example, slow down due to heavy rain. All the vehicles travel at a slower speed due to conditions and many turn on their hazard lights. We all know rain is a hazard. Its hard enough to concentrate on what the other vehicles around you are doing without your brain having to constantly assess the dozens of flashing lights. Is this one signalling a turn? Is that one applying the brakes? Its unecessary and dangerous.
If everyone else is doing 60 MPH, and you slow down to 25 MPH, due to rain, flat tire, or mechanical problem then the hazard lights would seem more appropriate. Thats what subsection (a) appears to be addressing.
Florida State Staute is a little more direst and clear.
FSS 316.2397(7)"Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as a means of indicating a left or right turn, to change lanes, or to indicate that the vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled upon the highway . The remainder of the statute deals with flashing lights for emergency vehicles and buses.
The safest solution on most busy roads in heavy rain, is to slow to a speed safe for conditions AND turn on your head/tail lights. If the general flow of traffic is, in your opinion, too fast for conditions, pull well off to the side of the road, stop, and activate your hazard lights.
I'm not aware of any jurisdiction (In the U.S.)where "travelling below a certain speed requires the use of hazard lights". If that's a Canadian law, Egon, I'd like to see a link to the statute.
