When is it unacceptable to use your four-way flashers?

Using four-way flashers is primarily intended to alert other drivers to a stationary vehicle that poses a potential hazard on the roadway. When considering bus operations, specifically at a bus stop, the use of four-way flashers can create confusion for other drivers about the bus's intentions, as it may signal that the bus is in a state of emergency or needs caution. Instead, it is more effective to use the bus's designated stop lights to indicate that the vehicle is stationary to pick up or drop off students.

In contrast to bus stops, using four-way flashers is appropriate during inclement weather to increase visibility, and backing up requires the driver to be fully aware of the surroundings while potentially communicating with pedestrians and other vehicles via the vehicle's warning lights. On residential streets, four-way flashers might be used cautiously but typically should follow the guidelines for awareness rather than signaling a permanent stop, highlighting the importance of context in their usage.