Why blinking lights are hazardous

Updated: August 26, 2025

When traversing the many roads of the Philippines, you will at least encounter a vehicle with blinking lights once in a while. This can come in the form of either blinking brake lights or other accessory lights that aren’t standard with the vehicle. As fun as they may be as an idea, in reality, they can pose a potential hazard to you and other road users, as they can bring about confusion and make it hard to distinguish what they are trying to do. With that in mind, here are a couple of reasons why blinking lights for cars are hazardous for other road users.

Strobe-type brake lights or blinking brake lights were used in some European cars as a legitimate safety feature. They were made to help road users distinguish between if the car at the front was coming to a regular stop or a quick emergency stop with the blinking feature. These lights were made so that they can flash in the event of an emergency, but not all the time. It is important to note that these brake lights will only blink three times in the case of an emergency stop.

However, the ones that you see on cars nowadays that constantly blink are in no way safe. It makes it harder for drivers to distinguish if the car is stopping or if its running lights are just turned on. Aside from this, these kinds of lights also make it harder to see the vehicle at night as they constantly blink instead of being one steady light that gets brighter as you apply the brakes.

Blinking brake lights are also illegal and break the Transportation and Traffic Code or also known as Republic Act 4136. Chapter III, Article IV, Section 34 of that law from 1964 states that “Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least one lamp which shall throw a sustained bright red light visible under all conditions, even under bright sunlight, when the brakes are applied.” 

Aside from this republic act it blinking brake lights also go against Presidential Decree No. 96. Under this decree, it states that “it shall be unlawful for the owner or possessor of any motor vehicle to use or attach to his vehicle any siren, bell, horn, whistle, or other similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices.” In addition, as if it even needed to be said, changing your brake lights to any color other than red is illegal and dangerous.

Blinking accessory lights come in many shapes and sizes, but are often not part of a vehicle’s standard lighting kit. These can come in the form of flashers similar to what is seen on police cars or security detail vehicles of VIPs. While these are legal to be used by the correct personnel, their use on civilian vehicles is illegal. Not only can these confuse other motorists, but in some cases, they can even blind the drivers behind the vehicle if they are too bright or aimed at the wrong spot. With that in mind, it is best to avoid such lights as they could land you some serious fines and other legal repercussions.

Another form of why blinking lights can be hazardous to other motorists is your hazard lights. Driving with these lights on could easily confuse motorists, who might think that you are in some sort of car-related emergency. This will not only endanger you but may even give a faulty heads-up to other drivers. If you’ve been fooled into thinking that activating your hazards on during heavy rains, it’s time to kick that habit. Driving with your hazard lights on will confuse other drivers, making them think you’re stationary and, worse, making it harder for them to predict where you’re going and when you’re turning.

Another light you may see on the road is the illuminated tailgate light bar fitted on many SUVs and crossovers. These aftermarket accessories function as an additional set of brake lights, glowing red when the brakes are applied and white when not in use. Aside from being an aesthetic issue, these auxiliary lights can blind other drivers since they are positioned almost at eye level. The white light they emit when inactive can also strain the eyes of drivers behind the vehicle.

There is a right time and place to use blinking lights, and these come in the form of your hazard lights. As the name states, these lights are only to be used if your vehicle is a hazard to other users. Its main purpose after all is to warn other motorists that something is wrong with your vehicle and that they should avoid it as much as possible. 

Only use your hazard lights if your car has broken down or if the weather you are driving in is so bad that it causes you to pull over to the side of the road. In this case, it is acceptable to use your hazard lights in conjunction with your normal lights to better make yourself visible to other motorists who may be traveling on the road with you. Again, do not use your hazard lights in the event of heavy rain. If you can still drive through it at speed, then your headlights and running lights will do just fine. Lighting technology has evolved through the years, after all, as LED, HID, and even laser light technology have made their way into more modern vehicles.