Roadside flares are used to alert drivers of hazards and are carried by emergency services and motorists. They consist of an insulated stick with explosive material that burns brightly for 15-20 minutes. Safety recommendations include placing several in a row and collecting them for proper disposal. Drivers should use caution when lighting flares and slow down when approaching them.
Highway flares are safety equipment used to alert people to road hazards such as lane closures, accidents, downed trees, and other problems. Law enforcement officers, ambulances, and fire trucks often carry roadside flares as part of their emergency response kit, and motorists may carry flares as well. Sources of roadside flares include automotive safety catalogs, auto shops, and catalogs carrying equipment and supplies used by emergency services.
The road flare consists of an insulated stick that carries explosive material. When the torch is activated, typically by pulling a tab, the fuse at the end of the torch ignites and will stay on for 15-20 minutes depending on the torch’s manufacture. Substances can be added to the torch to make it burn red, green, blue or yellow, and the torch can include safety features such as a spark deflector or sway preventer bracket to prevent starting a fire.
The light emitted by road flares is extremely bright, making it visible from a long distance and in low visibility conditions. Safety recommendations for road flares generally include placing several in a row to attract the attention of oncoming traffic and collecting the flares after they burn for proper disposal, as they can be dangerous. It’s also important to store sparklers in a cool, dry place away from light, and many companies sell their sparklers in protective containers for this purpose.
Individual drivers can light flares after an accident, to alert oncoming traffic to the fact that there is an obstacle in the road. Flares should be placed in the accident lane in both directions to avoid confusing drivers, and it is important to use caution when lighting flares to avoid being hit by cars. Emergency response personnel set up roadside flares to signal road closures, alert drivers to obstacles in the road, and map approaches for emergency responders arriving by air; For this reason, people should not disturb the road flares.
When drivers see that flares have been set up, they should slow down until they know why the flares are in place. If a lane is closed and someone is directing traffic around an accident or ordering drivers to swerve, they should do so in a calm manner, aware of the risks, such as approaching traffic that may be speeding or traffic on side roads they may not be waiting cars. Drivers who carry flares for safety should ensure they are stored in a secure location in the vehicle, such as inside an under-seat safety kit.
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