When should you turn on your 4 way emergency flashers?

Turning on your 4-way emergency flashers is an important practice when parking on the side of the road, especially if you are unable to move your vehicle due to a breakdown or an emergency. This action serves as a warning to other drivers that your vehicle is stationary and potentially poses a hazard. The flashing lights help increase visibility and alert passing motorists to approach with caution, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

In contrast, driving through mountains or crossing railroad tracks typically does not require the use of emergency flashers, as these scenarios do not suggest that the vehicle is parked or in distress. When stopping at traffic signals, regular brake lights are sufficient to communicate your intention to stop to other drivers. Thus, activating the emergency flashers in these situations would be unnecessary and might confuse other road users.