WIBU to use my hazard lights?

[LadyintheLoch]

On the way to work this morning, I had to pull over into a layby on a country road to take a call (husband trying to sort child for nursery!). As the road is quite narrow and quite busy, I put my hazards on in a bid to highlight my presence. I wasn't blocking the road or anything. Another car swiftly pulled in behind me and the driver - a mother on the school run - very kindly asked if I was ok. I explained that I was on the phone and she went on her way. She didn't seem angry or anything, but I was consumed by guilt that this kind woman had taken the time to stop and check on me, thinking I was in difficulty. I really appreciated it - and hope she didn't drive off thinking I was an idiot for using my hazards in this way.

If you are reading this, lovely raven-haired mum in the black Audi - thank you, and I hope I didn't put you out too much

I'd have just kept my indicator on of the side you were pulling into- hazard warning lights well the clue is in the name, their purpose is to alert other drivers to an actual or potential hazard and I know talking to husbands about childcare is a chore but it can't be classed as hazardous (quite)

Oh, what a nice woman.

But yes, I think you didn't need hazard lights. If you were really worried you shouldn't have stopped, but I don't see why given you weren't blocking the road. Hazard lights don't help anyone to see you - they're not bright enough to notice round corner in daylight or above the light of ordinary headlights in the dark - so there's not a lot of reason to put them on.

I think if I saw a woman on her own on a country road, I'd worry she'd broken down too (and I hope I'd stop!).

I would have stopped too. I always think hazards on means there's a problem so would have just left indicator on. Don't worry-it's reassuring to know there are nice people out there.

Nice of her, but no you shouldn't really use hazards if you are tucked neatly into a proper parking space or layby. They are meant for when you are actually causing a hazard to traffic, which you weren't at the time.

If you were in a layby, then yes, ywbu to use hazards. But it's hardly crime of the century so I wouldn't worry too much.

I'm reluctant to use hazards for that reason, and probably only if I was in a dangerous/hazardous position
For example last week I was broken down, recovery called and boyfriend informed. I felt I should put them on, so recovery truck would find me as I couldn't tell them exactly what layby I was in, but equally didn't want to highlight I was broken down to other motorists as I was in a safe position and didn't need help. (In the end recovery called me - gave me an ETA and I switched them on around that time, and he found me shortly after)

I live on the edge of LOndon. Round here hazard lights mean "I'm doing something illegal but as I've put my hazards on it's actually OK". This covers parking on double yellows, blocking lanes of traffic because someone else has parked on the double yellows, stopping off at the takeaway etc [cross]
But OP - if you weren't actually on the carriageway, you probably didn't need them on, but no harm done. What a nice lady to stop though - I'm not sure I would

Hazard warning lights also mean you are showing that your car is a hazard. If you were in a layby though, you would not have been causing an obstruction so not sure why you would need to have them on. If your car being where it was mean others had to wait to pass if there was an oncoming vehicle, then you shouldnt have parked there to use your phone.

It was a farm track entrance, I was probably a little bit into the road. So I guess my thinking was that they might have to move out a little, and that my left indicators would be obscured by the hedges either side. But I stand corrected and will not use my hazards for such purposes again! I think as seeline said, it's becoming code for "I'm in the way". I seem to remember my husband asking me to put them on when we had to pull into a farm track to try to find our missing dog once. must never trust husband

I am still genuinely heartened by the fact that she stopped and would feel awful if she felt inconvenienced. Thanks for your input. Indicators all the way from now on.