If a vehicle is stopped on a highway or shoulder for a reason other than a necessary traffic stop, the driver must turn on the vehicle’s hazard warning system, which is to be left on until the vehicle’s external warning devices are in position. The hazard warning system must again be utilized when the warning devices are being picked up before the vehicle moves on.
Warning devices (warning triangles, fusee flares, or liquid-burning flares) must be placed within 10 minutes in three locations:
- One on the traffic side, four paces (approximately 10 feet) from the vehicle, in the direction of approaching traffic;
- One in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder, 40 paces (approximately 100 feet) from the vehicle, in the direction of approaching traffic; and
- One in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder, 40 paces (approximately 100 feet) from the vehicle, in the direction away from approaching traffic.
If flares are used, the driver is responsible for ensuring that at least one flare remains lit at each location as long as the vehicle is stopped.