A NEW set of road rules coming this week will see “red lantern” warning lights used to alert drivers to breakdowns.
The decision to relax the laws around the lights is likely to make them a more common sight on UK roads.
1
Previously, red warning triangles were only to be used in emergencies.
The triangular lamps are set on stands, allowing them to be placed on the road to warn oncoming traffic of an obstruction.
For example, if you crashed down on a stretch of motorway with no hard shoulder, you could place a triangle a few hundred yards behind and ahead of the vehicle to alert others to your presence.
However, from this week, they will no longer be reserved solely for emergencies.
Breakdown, roadside recovery and tyre service vehicles will be able to make an application to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for permission to use the lights.
They would then be deployed as standard for situations like breakdown recovery in addition to flashing amber hazard lights.
If the application is successful, operators will be granted a temporary permit, ahead of a permanent change to the law later this year.
However, there are still limits to when they can be used under DfT guidelines.
The rules state that the triangles can only be put in place “when necessary or desirable to warn motorists of the presence of breakdown, recovery or tyre technicians working on or near a live carriageway.”
They cannot be used while the vehicle is in motion and the reason for their usage must be recorded in a “dynamic risk assessment”.
Breakdown companies have been campaigning for the change for close to 30 years and have met the announcement with delight.
Dom Shorrocks, chief operations manager for the RAC, said: “Being able to use red flashing lamps will unequivocally improve the visibility of roadside workers and help save lives.
“There have been too many tragic collisions where lives have been lost involving stationary recovery vehicles at the sides of high-speed roads where more prominent red lights might have made a difference.”
It comes after holidaymakers were urged to avoid a busy motorway when driving to a major UK airport amid a series of “planned closures”.
