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New Florida law starts Thursday which allows you to use hazard lights in certain situations

Jacksonville FL — On Thursday, all those people with their hazards on while driving through those hot Florida afternoon downpours are no longer breaking the law.

A new Florida law goes into effect which allows you to use your hazard lights while driving through certain situations. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Dean Lewis said the new law allows drivers to use their hazards when driving through “extremely low visibility” situations like heavy rain, fog, or smoke on roadways with a speed limit of 55 MPH or higher.

“If drivers feel unsafe while driving in severe weather, the safest option would still be to pull over on the side of the road or off the road until the conditions improve,” Lewis said.

Florida is joining 40 other states in allowing for the use of hazard lights during certain situations, according to AAA.

Lewis said driving with your hazards outside of “extremely low visibility” situations on roads with a slower than 55 MPH speed limit is still prohibited.

Steven Ponson

Steven Ponson, News 104.5 WOKV

Steven Ponson is the Co-Anchor of Jacksonville's Morning News. He has been with Cox Media Group since the summer of 2015, and with WOKV since mid-2017.