Thanks for the responses, both positive and negative, however I will continue to use hazard light as I said because I'd rather get a ticket than a coffin, or in the case of reversing a car, hit a pedestrian in a supermarket car park or have a repair to deal with.
The Road Code doesn't say you shall not use hazard lights at various times but rather that you should use them only at certain times. Should is a conditional word and not an ordering one. Shall is an ordering word.
About 35 years ago I was stopped by a cop because my bike had two headlights going, something unheard of at that time. He pointed out that the law said that a bike shall have one headlight. I argued, successfully that my bike did have one headlight and that the law didn't preclude me from having two. Now if the law had said only one headlight he'd have been right. Maybe the writers of the present Code chose the word, should, knowingly?
An aspect to consider might be two words "best practice" and possibly not what you were expecting
Legalities aside, do what you wish. My view is that using hazard lights as described is a passive form of safety. If it works for you, great. I'd favour active safety, growing my following distance, assuming I couldn't just scoot to a forward safe area.
Good to hear you're still riding at a mature age though
Unlikely given how relatively unimportant they are in the scheme of things. But if people start putting them on a few seconds before they brake or indicate to give them a comfort zone or when they are changing radios stations I imagine the word should might get replaced with shall.
Not sure I understand what you mean with the reversing car comment. Is that you driving it wanting to give more warning than the reverse lights do which are designed for that express purpose? If so you probably want to get air horns fitted so you can lean on them just in case the pedestrian has failing eye sight, better safe than sorry.
Sorry, I am being sarcastic but I just don't get it. The New World car park would be like a disco.
Hazard lights do not remove the onus of responsibility from the driver in such cases. Those that choose to ignore you and your hazard lights (and most will) ... have the right to lay a complaint with Police if you hit somebody. Your use of hazard lights will be no defense.
When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...
I've got them on the 1290, but never used them. Could see them being useful if I want to leave motorists guessing as to whether I'm over or undertaking.
Nunquam Non Paratus
"Statistics are used as a drunk uses lampposts - for support, not illumination."
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From the New Zealand Road Code.
Only TWO examples given.
Cassina should have them hardwired ON ...
Hazard lights
When you turn on your hazard lights, both indicator lights flash at the same time as a warning to other road users. You should only turn on your hazard lights when your vehicle becomes a temporary hazard to other road users, such as when:
you're changing a tyre on the side of the road
your vehicle has broken down and is being towed.
When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...
They start to come on as soon as it starts to rain here. Bloody annoying!
And, of course, illegal!
"Statistics are used as a drunk uses lampposts - for support, not illumination."
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