/ Tips & Advice

Are hazard lights important on a motorcycle?

These can be a practical tool during emergencies—if you know when and how to use them.

Jet Sanchez Jet Sanchez on Oct 19, 2021
Are hazard lights important on a motorcycle?

Hazard lights are invaluable for modern vehicles. While they've been a staple in cars for some time, they're less common on motorcycles in the Philippines. 

When used properly, these safety lights provide other motorists with a visual cue to indicate something has gone wrong with your vehicle. Whether on a sportbike like the KTM RC 390 or a scooter like the Honda BeAT 110, a hazard light would realistically be a practical tool. The lack of them in many local models is curious, as bikes arguably need to be more visible on the road, especially during emergencies. 

So, it's worth asking, are hazard lights important on a motorcycle?

When to use hazard lights

In the European Union and the UK, the law mandates hazard lights on every motorcycle. Within these areas, this type of safety lighting system is a fixture and part and parcel of how motorists use the road.

Some countries don't require hazard lights on motorcycles. In these areas, it can be more confusing to know when to use motorcycle hazard lights. Strobing lights can be distracting to motorists, so only use them with the utmost caution. You don't want to cause an accident just because you can't use your hazard light properly.

You should only use your hazard light at a stop. For example, when something is wrong with your bike or an accident has occurred. Avoid using your hazard light while moving, as this can be confusing to other motorists, especially in low visibility conditions. Say it's raining heavily, it can get challenging to determine whether a flashing light is a hazard, turn signal, or something else entirely. So, you can imagine how that could turn out to be disastrous on the road.

Should I get aftermarket flasher lights?

If your motorcycle doesn't feature a hazard light, you may be wondering if buying an aftermarket product is worth it. There are many options that you can consider. Before you pull the trigger on an aftermarket hazard or flasher light, you should vet the product thoroughly. Check the brand and model. How long has the company been producing these products? Does the product have a warranty period? Are the parts of quality? 

These questions may be worth asking before you add something like this to your motorcycle. Remember, a motorcycle's electrical system can be sensitive, and buying a faulty or low-quality product can damage your bike in the long run.

Conclusion

Hazard lights can be a practical tool for roadside emergencies. While it's uncommon on motorcycles, we can't understate how valuable it is when a bike features a hazard light. You never know when you might need one, and it's better to have it and not need it than the opposite scenario.

If your bike doesn't have a hazard light, and there's a good chance it doesn't, then you can consider an aftermarket product. Going this route will require you to do research and take on some risks. 

If you end up buying a hazard light for your bike, it could be good to enlist a professional to do the installation for you. This is especially true if you're not one to mess with electronics or mechanical components. As always, ride safe and remember the proper scenarios to use a motorcycle's hazard light.

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