Why Don't We Use Flares?

There was an accident about a week or two ago, someone parked on the side with just flashers (Big no no) but it was in the fog. Got me thinking of this past winter and some interesting times in heavy or blowing snow. Why don't we use flares as well as DOT mandated itty bitty triangles?

I've only ever seen flares deployed once. And I want to say it was a cop who had them out. It was night on a two lane highway and there was a disabled vehicle on a narrow shoulder.

But I've never seen them any other time. Maybe due to the fire risk?

I agree with ChikieMonster. Only time I've ever flares is when they were in useby law enforcement or firefighters.

Oh and my triangles aren't itty bitty. They're about a foot on each side sitting on a very heavy sand filled bar/weight. You have to unfold them then snap them into their triangle shape, then twist the base to make them stable. I've seen those tiny ones you're talking about and my guess is drivers bought them because they're cheaper. My company provides the good ones with every truck. They permanently mount a case for them in the sidebox.

I would be willing to bet it has something to do with hazmat. If you have trucks that haul hazmat , they can't use flares. I only haul class 1.4, and 3. I know flares are no no on both of those loads. Also might be a dot thing as well I don't know if flares are allowed in lue of triangles, triangles never burn out or roll into the brush and ketch it on fire.

Yep, I haul hazmat gasoline so definitely a giant no-no.

Too many factors, some can use and some can't, another thing the shop needs to keep in stock for drivers. Triangles are just cheaper.

I can see Prime supporting this since they will just forcibly resell it to the driver for a profit.

ChickieMonster said it right. Usually the only people placing flares out are law enforcement people and probably due to regulations regarding hazmat situations. They used to be very useful but the fire risks were too great. Just be sure to use the triangles and place them properly.

I think some of you are over thinking the question.

Are they still legal to use?

I don't pull hazmat/rolling bombs. I am not convinced of the effectiveness of reflectors in extreme weather conditions. *Read Snow Storms, ultra dense fog. Both of which are regular issues north of the Mason Dixon line.

Knock on wood, I've only needed to emergency stop once so far, and conditions were just a bit Rainey so in that instance the triangles were fine.

Now one more time :) Non-HazMat, Extreme weather. Are they legal?

I think some of you are over thinking the question.

Are they still legal to use?

I don't pull hazmat/rolling bombs. I am not convinced of the effectiveness of reflectors in extreme weather conditions. *Read Snow Storms, ultra dense fog. Both of which are regular issues north of the Mason Dixon line.

Knock on wood, I've only needed to emergency stop once so far, and conditions were just a bit Rainey so in that instance the triangles were fine.

Now one more time :) Non-HazMat, Extreme weather. Are they legal?

I read all the replies, I don't see "over thinking". I see several people trying to sincerely answer a rather obscure question. Not sure why you're obscessing over this. DOT requires us to carry three reflective triangles, in working order. Although I am not aware of any legal restriction, I suggest you first ask your company if carrying flares is in compliance with their policies. Many times company rules trump DOT.

DOT requires us to carry three reflective triangles, in working order.

Straight from the Colorado CDL Manual, page 20:

Emergency Equipment.

Vehicles must be equipped with emergency equipment. Look for:

• Fire extinguisher(s).

• Spare electrical fuses (unless equipped with circuit breakers).

• Warning devices for parked vehicles (for example, three reflective warning triangles or 6 fusees or 3 liquid burning flares).

So, in Colorado anyway, they're interchangeable. As others have said, I'm sure it's just a matter of cost combined with the fact that they aren't legal for certain types of loads. They aren't always the best option, but they are always legal and easy to use, so why not?

Does anyone know if flares are even legal in every state? If not, that could be another reason.

As far as I know they are legal in every state. I can think of a few reasons most companies prefer triangles though.

Triangles are reusable.

Triangles can be used by everyone. Regardless of load type.

Triangles don't burn out.

And that's just of the top of my head