As streets become more heavily monitored and traffic enforcement stricter, road users are being cautioned against making this potentially costly mistake many motorists believe is just good manners
UK drivers are being warned that a courteous habit a great many have picked up behind the wheel over the years could actually leave them hundreds of pounds out of pocket.
A gesture that feels polite and routine is in fact against the law – breaking this rule could result in fines of up to £500. The habit in question is the brief flashing of hazard lights to thank another motorist for letting you merge into traffic, move across lanes, or pull out of a busy junction.
This common custom is seen ubiquitously on roads and motorways up and down the country every day, with the majority of motorists believing it’s just a small signal of gratitude. However, what many people don’t realise is that using hazard lights in this way goes against the Highway Code and can be classed as improper use of a vehicle’s safety features.
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The law on this is much stricter than many assume. Highway Code Rule 116 sets out that hazard lights are permitted “only when your vehicle is stationary” to indicate to other road users that you are temporarily blocking traffic, or “when moving on motorways or unrestricted dual carriageways” if you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard further up the road.
Importantly, those rules do not include using hazards as a thank you. Any other scenario is officially regarded as misuse, something that can result in police issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice, which usually fall between £100 and £500.
The potential dangers are also more serious than they first appear. Activating hazard lights while in motion can confuse fellow road users, who may wrongly assume there is debris on the carriageway, a broken-down vehicle, or an obstruction just out of sight. This can cause unnecessary braking, distraction, or even collisions — particularly in poor visibility conditions, such as heavy rain, fog or darkness.
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A spokesperson from Pure Digital PR explained: “Most drivers think they’re being courteous with a quick hazard light flash, but they’re actually creating confusion on the road. Your hazard lights are safety equipment designed to warn of genuine emergencies or obstructions – not for social pleasantries.
“When someone sees hazard lights, their immediate thought is ‘what’s wrong?’ – they start looking for the problem, which takes their attention off the road. The £100 to £500 fine might not sound enormous, but it’s an expensive way to learn that your good intentions are actually breaking the law. The safest approach is simple: save your hazard lights for genuine emergencies and use a wave through your window if you want to say thank you.”
So despite the common misconception that it is harmless, misusing hazard lights is not only unlawful and could see you slapped with hefty fines, it could also put others at risk on the road.
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