Breakdown signal and flashing warning lights

The prescribed breakdown signal must be easily accessible in the vehicle.

The breakdown signal must be set up at the edge of the carriageway as soon as a vehicle is parked on the carriageway in contravention of the regulations for compelling reasons or is too late to be seen by other drivers due to a lack of vehicle lighting or exceptional weather conditions (e.g. due to fog), and also to indicate a vehicle parked on a breakdown lane. It must be placed at least 50 m, on roads with fast traffic at least 100 m behind the vehicle, on the breakdown lane at its right edge. In case of emergency stop on signalized parking places for broken down vehicles, the breakdown signal does not have to be set up.

Warning lights may be used on stationary vehicles in addition to the breakdown signal only to warn of danger.

On a moving vehicle, hazard warning lights may be used to warn of hazards, namely an unexpected accident scene, a vehicle traffic jam, or on highways and highways during towing

In addition, breakdown lights with steady or flashing, non-blinding yellow light may be placed behind the vehicle. Open fires and flammable objects (e.g. flares, fuel cans with warning paint) are prohibited.

The installation of the breakdown signal and the switching on of the flashing warning lights do not release the driver from the obligation to observe the traffic regulations, in particular those concerning lighting, stopping and parking, as far as possible.

The breakdown signal must also be displayed on the rear of towed vehicles.

If a vehicle has to stop for cargo handling where it could endanger traffic, e.g. on a winding mountain road, breakdown signals or warning posts must be installed

Obstacles to traffic must not be created without compelling reasons; they must be adequately marked and removed as soon as possible

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