Where Must Warning Triangles Be Placed When a Truck Is Stopped on the Road?

Under 49 CFR 392.22, a driver stopped on the traveled portion or shoulder of a highway must turn on hazard flashers immediately and place warning devices within 10 minutes: one about 10 feet from the vehicle on the traffic side and two about 100 feet ahead and behind. Special rules cover hills, curves and divided highways.

Hazard flashers. When a CMV is stopped on the traveled portion or shoulder of a highway for any reason other than necessary traffic stops, the driver must immediately activate the hazard warning flashers and keep them on until the warning devices are placed. Flashers are also used while picking the devices back up (49 CFR 392.22(a)).

General placement (392.22(b)(1)). As soon as possible, and in any event within 10 minutes, place:

• One device on the traffic side, 4 paces (about 10 feet) from the vehicle, toward approaching traffic.
• One device 40 paces (about 100 feet) from the vehicle, in the center of the occupied lane or shoulder, toward approaching traffic.
• One device 40 paces (about 100 feet) from the vehicle, in the center of the occupied lane or shoulder, away from approaching traffic.

Special rules (392.22(b)(2)).

• Hills, curves and obstructions. If stopped within 500 feet of a curve, hill crest or other obstruction, place a device toward the obstruction 100 to 500 feet from the vehicle.
• Divided or one-way highways. Place devices at 200 feet and 100 feet toward approaching traffic, and one within 10 feet of the rear on the traffic side.
• Business or residential districts. Devices are not required unless lighted lamps are required and street lighting does not make the vehicle clearly visible at 500 feet.
• Flammable leaks. No flame-producing signal may be placed near leaking fuel or flammable material.

Required equipment. Each truck, truck tractor and bus must carry three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles or at least six fusees, with limits on flame devices for certain hazardous materials (49 CFR 393.95(f) and (g)).

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