Fog Alert: Hazard Lights Could Get You Fined
As thick fog swept across parts of the UAE on Thursday, with visibility in some areas dropping to just a few metres, road safety experts are once again urging motorists to avoid a common but dangerous mistake: switching on hazard lights while driving.
Despite widespread misconceptions, using hazard lights in fog makes driving more dangerous and is illegal. Motorists caught doing so can face a Dh500 fine and four black points.
Automotive technician Syeda Aisha Atif says many drivers wrongly assume hazard lights help other motorists see them better.
“Several people think using their hazards is safer,” she explained. “But when you drive with your hazard lights on, you confuse the drivers around you. You cannot indicate your turns or lane changes, and other drivers will not be able to react in time. This leads to accidents.”
Atif advises that motorists should follow proper fog driving practices instead. “Use your fog lights, keep your low beams on, maintain a steady speed, use indicators normally, and stay alert.”
Authorities across the UAE remind motorists that hazard lights are for emergencies only, such as breakdowns, crashes, or when a vehicle is stationary. Using them while driving in fog or rain obscures turn signals and causes confusion, which often results in abrupt or unsafe movements from other drivers.
With fog expected to return throughout the season, officials urge drivers to follow correct safety practices to protect themselves and others on the road.
