Highway safety in traffic jams.

The key part, and sad part is... the OP states "And I've never even seen a professional driver do this either."
I can assure you rizob, that many of us do put our hazards on asap, in these situations. I hope it would be "most/all" of us.
It's sad that some drivers don't, and sorry those were the only ones you've seen so far.

It's also important not only to be looking at the vehicles/traffic right ahead of you, but also the vehicles/traffic well up the road from you.
And all of this is useless if there's not enough safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front.

 

Well covered.
I'll put em on when approaching a backup or sudden slow down.
They'll remain on till I have enough of a crash barrier behind me.

 

I guess they do not recommend using hazards in CDL school.

 

I don't think I've ever heard of a CDL school that taught real world survival skills.

 

You mean to tell me that it's against the law to drive with your hazards on? HOLY CRAP I THOUGHT USING THE BLINKERS WAS AGAINST THE LAW UP IN THE NORTH EAST!

 

Using turn signals certainly seems to be against the law. As is using low beams when there is oncoming traffic, specially in New York.

I can't believe there are states that actually have laws AGAINST using hazards.... I mean, you see signs all the time that say, "Wipers on, lights on!" The thought being that the lights provide extra visibility for other traffic. Wouldn't hazards serve the same purpose?

 

Well said, almost any real driver does just that ASAP. (turns on hazards) When coming up on a parking lot... And another thing, hey... get yourself a CB, and turn it on. Many times you can get a heads up miles away and even avoid the issue with a route change. Oh yeah, you can adjust your CB to pick up ONLY chatter that is really close, and avoid the 'deep' conversations about Obama, Unions, Obamacare, No panties, or whatever idiot is polluting the airwaves with... just saying.

 

Hey I've got some get out of scale free cards...

i use my hazzards for traffic, or if conditions require me to slow my safe speed below a reasonable speed for the flow of traffic, I.e. Steep grades, dense fog, extremely slick roads (in which case I'm looking for a place to stop) I have never seen a cop nail a driver using their hazzards for those reasons even in states where it's illegal...did see a few guys get nailed for running 70 in fog so thick you could see maybe 10 feet in front of you, but that's an entirely different ticket

 

You guys lost me, what IS stupid? Turning your hazards on when approaching stopped traffic on a freeway? Guess, I'm stupid... as plenty of others trying to safely warn other motorists behind them.