Driving in the rain can be scary, so, many Filipino drivers turn on their hazard lights thinking it makes them safer. But the advice from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and road safety experts are clear: Do not use your hazard lights while driving, even during heavy rain. Hazard lights are only for emergencies when your vehicle is stopped or stalled. Using them while moving can confuse other drivers and make the road even more dangerous.
The best practice is simple: keep your low-beam headlights and taillights on, slow down, and pull over only if visibility becomes too poor. Hazard lights disable your turn signals, remove important communication between drivers, and make your moving vehicle look like a stopped obstacle. This is why the LTO guidance and the 1968 Vienna Convention—recognized in the Philippines—both say hazard lights are strictly for stationary emergencies.
Why You Should Not Use Hazard Lights While Driving in the Rain
Drivers often think hazard lights make them easier to see—but the effect is the opposite. Hazard lights are designed for warning other motorists of a specific danger, not regular rain, no matter how strong it is.
Here’s why using hazard lights while moving is unsafe:
- Confuses drivers: They may think your vehicle is stalled or stopped.
- Disables turn signals: You can’t show your intention to turn or change lanes.
- Makes your car harder to judge: Other drivers can’t tell if you’re braking or moving.
- Creates sudden swerving: Motorists may abruptly avoid you, causing accidents.
The law is clear: Hazard lights should be OFF whenever your vehicle is moving unless you are part of a slow, special convoy such as a funeral procession.
What the Law Says
The Philippines follows the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (Article 32), which states hazard lights may be used only to warn other road users of specific danger such as:
- A broken-down vehicle
- A vehicle that cannot be moved after an accident
- Immediate risk or danger on the road
This is backed by LTO standards, including Memorandum Circular No. 2020-2240, which also outlines proper hazard lamp wiring and use.
What You Should Do When Driving in the Rain
Instead of hazard lights, here are safer and LTO-aligned steps when rain becomes heavy:
- Turn on low-beam headlights
- Turn on taillights
- Use fog lamps (allowed during heavy rain, fog, or similar conditions)
- Slow down — speed limits apply only in ideal weather
- Avoid sudden lane changes
- Keep a safe distance — three car lengths or more
- Lower your music volume to stay aware
You must pull over if:
- Visibility drops to near zero
- You feel unsafe driving
- You can’t see markings, curbs, or lights ahead
Expert tip: Make sure to stop only in a safe spot such as an emergency bay or shoulder.
When You Can Use Hazard Lights (Emergency Only)
Use hazard lights ONLY when your vehicle is not moving or when you are a road hazard:
- Stalled vehicle (breakdown, flat tire, engine won’t start)
- Accident where your vehicle becomes an obstruction
- Emergency stop due to sudden danger (not heavy traffic, not rain)
Simply put, use hazard lights only when your vehicle is stopped or stalled and in an emergency. Otherwise, road safety experts say don’t.