Is it illegal to drive with your hazards on?

Photo: iStock/oatawa

It's almost second nature to flick your hazards on in severely adverse conditions, but did you know that hitting the little red triangle on your dash can land you a fine in certain circumstances?

We've seen hazard lights used for a number of reasons, such as warning people behind you of a potential hazard, stopping in a loading zone, or even saying 'thank you' to people who let you in.

But there is a little-known road rule that can land you a few hundred dollars poorer if caught with them on in certain scenarios. We investigate when it is and isn’t okay to use your hazards.

In some cases, switching your hazards on is illegal. Unlike most road rules, the laws surrounding hazard use are actually the same in all states and territories.

"The driver of a vehicle fitted with hazard warning lights must not use the hazard warning lights, or allow them to be used, unless:

• The vehicle is stopped and is obstructing, or is likely to obstruct, the path of other vehicles or pedestrians
• The vehicle is a slow-moving vehicle and is obstructing, or is likely to obstruct, the path of other vehicles or pedestrians
• The vehicle is stopped in an emergency stopping lane
• The driver stops the vehicle to sell a product (for example, ice creams) that may attract children onto the road
• The driver is driving in hazardous weather conditions (for example, fog or smoke)
• The vehicle is a bus carrying children, and the driver stops the vehicle to drop off or pick up a child and is required or permitted to operate the hazard warning lights under another law of this jurisdiction
• The hazard warning lights are operating as part of an anti-theft device, or an alcohol interlock device, fitted to the vehicle."

All other times, using hazard lights incorrectly can land you with a fine.

The fine for "use/allow use of hazard warning lights when not permitted" is $116, with no demerit points.

The exact fine amount for misuse of hazard lights is not specific, with the road rules stating a "maximum of 20 penalty points". However, it is likely that it will be at least one, which is $161.30.

Photo: iStock/PraewBlackWhile

The fine is larger in Victoria. The road rules specify three penalty units for misuse of hazard lights, which will cost $592.77.

The South Australian road rules specify a fine of $258 for "use hazard warning lights when not permitted to do so".

For misuse of hazard lights in WA, you will receive one penalty unit, which will cost you $50.

No exact fine amount is specified for this road rule in the Northern Territory.

As in Queensland, the exact fine amount for misuse of hazard lights is not specific, with the road rules stating a "maximum of 20 penalty points". However, it will likely be at least one, which is $160.

The Tasmanian road rules specify a fine "not exceeding five penalty units". Each penalty unit in Tasmania is $202.

Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.

Read more about Zane Dobie