What is the primary purpose of a vehicle's hazard lights?

The primary purpose of a vehicle's hazard lights is to alert other drivers of a potential hazard. When a driver activates the hazard lights, it indicates that the vehicle may be experiencing mechanical problems, is stopped or unusually slow, or otherwise poses a safety risk on the roadway. This signaling is crucial for enhancing safety by notifying other motorists to exercise caution or to be aware of an unexpected situation on the road. Hazard lights are designed to catch the attention of nearby drivers, helping to prevent accidents by informing them to pass carefully or to use alternative routes if necessary.

The other choices represent different functions of vehicle signaling; for instance, signaling lane changes or turns requires specific indicators and serves a different purpose than announcing a hazard. Parking indications may involve different lighting setups and may not necessarily alert other drivers to an immediate danger. Thus, the effectiveness of hazard lights lies specifically in their role of hazard communication to ensure safety for everyone on the road.