If your vehicle must stop on the roadway and you are not moving, which safety device should you activate first?

• A. Lift the hood to signal an emergency.
• B. Turn on emergency flashers if you are not moving.
• C. Place emergency flares or triangles 200-300 feet behind your vehicle.
• D. Call for emergency roadside assistance, follow the above guidelines, and stay in your vehicle until help arrives.

Answer: (B)

When a vehicle must stop on the roadway and isn’t moving, the first safety step is to activate the emergency flashers. Turning on the hazard lights immediately warns approaching drivers that your car is stationary and helps reduce the risk of a collision as traffic approaches.

After the flashers are on, place warning devices like emergency triangles or flares behind the vehicle (about 200–300 feet) if it’s safe to do so, creating a buffer zone for oncoming traffic. Then, if needed, call for emergency roadside assistance and stay with the vehicle if you’re in a hazardous location.

Lifting the hood isn’t a reliable traffic signal to other drivers, and while calling for help is important, it should come after you’ve made yourself as visible as possible with the hazard lights.