Are you allowed to switch on emergency lights when you are driving a hauled vehicle?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
NO
Explanation
In the photo you are sitting at the wheel of a vehicle that is being towed on a red and white tow rope by a dark car, and you are driving along a residential street. When driving a towed vehicle, you are not allowed to switch on the hazard warning lights. The answer is: no.
The Road Traffic Act states that a towed vehicle, except a motorcycle, is marked at the back on the left side with a reflective warning triangle, and during poor visibility it must also have its sidelights on; instead of the triangle, the towed vehicle may show flashing amber signals visible to other road users. The towing vehicle must have its dipped headlights on. A flashing amber signal is a separate warning lamp fitted on the vehicle, not the hazard warning lights - these are used to signal that a vehicle has stopped because of a breakdown or an accident, and in a moving combination they would confuse others and make it impossible to show a turn with the indicator. As the driver of the towed vehicle, you keep the rope tight, brake gently and signal changes of direction in the same way as the towing driver.
Legal basis: Art. 31 para. 1 point 2 and 5 and Art. 50 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)