A warning triangle is, together with warning lights, used in order to secure a

traffic accident A traffic collision, also known as a motor vehicle collision, or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Tr ...

site. The legal rules in the individual states partly order a warning triangle to be brought in the

vehicle A vehicle () is a machine designed for self-propulsion, usually to transport people, cargo, or both. The term "vehicle" typically refers to land vehicles such as human-powered land vehicle, human-powered vehicles (e.g. bicycles, tricycles, velo ...

(in Germany according to § 53a StVZO). The warning triangle consists of three reflective beams, similar to a cat's eye, and a stable foot. Except from this form, which is prescribed in road traffic, there are also collapsible signals or triangles, used by

emergency services Emergency services and rescue services are organizations that ensure public safety, security, and health by addressing and resolving different emergencies. Some of these agencies exist solely for addressing certain types of emergencies, while ot ...

, but also for short road closures by other firms with workers in the road, perhaps gasworks or power plants. Collapsible signals also have further inscriptions, as the example photo shows. As they are collapsible, they need smaller space in vehicles than fixed boards.

Legal

Germany

According to § 15 StVO, a stranded vehicle must be secured with a warning triangle at a sufficient distance, whereby the law orders a minimum distance of 100 metres in the case of fast traffic, such as motorways. This applies not only to the driver of broken-down vehicles, but also the rescue service that stops and offers help. If the vehicle is removed from the breakdown site, the warning triangle must be collected; it is not allowed to leave it standing. In a few cases, a warning triangle may not be placed, if the circumstances do not allow it to be placed safely or practicable (e.g. due to rescuing severely injured people, which may be prioritized).

United Kingdom

When present, a warning triangle must be placed at least 45 metres ahead of the accident site. Placement of triangles on motorways is, on the other hand, strongly dissuaded.Highway Code, Rule 274
Breakdowns
(retrieved 2 January 2014)

Russian Federation

Paragraph 7.2 of the traffic regulations: When the vehicle is stopped and the alarm is turned on, as well as in case of its malfunction or absence, the emergency stop sign must be immediately displayed: in case of a traffic accident; when forced to stop in places where it is prohibited, and where, taking into account the visibility conditions, the vehicle cannot be noticed by other drivers in a timely manner. This sign is installed at a distance that provides timely warning of danger to other drivers in a specific situation. However, this distance must be at least 15 m from the vehicle in populated areas and 30 m outside populated areas. Paragraph 7.3 of the traffic regulations: In the absence or malfunction of an alarm system on a towed mechanical vehicle, an emergency stop sign must be fixed on its rear part.

Australia

Under the

Australian Road Rules The Australian Road Rules are a set of model road rules developed by the National Road Transport Commission which form the basis for state and territory road rules across Australia. The first edition of the rules was published on 19 October 199 ...

, all heavy vehicles ( GVM over 12

tonne The tonne ( or ; symbol: t) is a unit of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms. It is a non-SI unit accepted for use with SI. It is also referred to as a metric ton in the United States to distinguish it from the non-metric units of the s ...

s) must carry 3 portable warning triangles which comply with AS 3790.{{Cite web , date=12 October 1992 , title=AS 3790-1992 Portable Warning Triangles for Motor Vehicles , url=https://www.intertekinform.com/en-au/Standards/Product-Details-122534_SAIG_AS_AS_257231/?ProductID=122534_SAIG_AS_AS_257231 , access-date=14 January 2025 , website=Intertek Inform , publisher=

Standards Australia Standards Australia is a standards organisation established in 1922 and is recognised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian government as the primary non-government standards development body in Australia. It is a co ...

If the driver stops on a road, or if the load being carried falls onto the road, warning triangles must be used to warn other road users. For roads with a speed limit of 80 km/h or more, if the vehicle (or load) cannot be seen for at least 300m in all directions, the warning triangles must be placed: * 200-250m behind the hazard, * 200-250m in front of the hazard, and * directly alongside the hazard. When the speed limit is under 80 km/h, if the vehicle (or load) is not visible for at least 200m in all directions, the warning triangles must be placed: * 50-100m behind the hazard, * 50-100m in front of the hazard, and * directly alongside the hazard.

References