Warning switch

Original distress fire switch for car without license:

- Ligier Ixo ( VJRJS36 )

- Ligier JS50 phase 1 with engine Lombardini DCI (to the serial number VJRB1....2669 )

- Ligier JS50 phase 1 with engine Lombardini Progress (to the serial number VJR....662 )

- Microcar Mgo 3 ( VJR82 )

- Dué 2 P85 ( VH882 )

- Jdm Xheos ( VGP11 )

Baseline: 0063421

The distress lights, or warnings, are mandatory on all cars since 1979. Their use is regulated by the Highway Code. Thus, they must be used to indicate a danger to traffic: sharply reduced or immobilized vehicle on the carriageway.

What are the distress lights for?

The distress lamps, which is also often called warnings, are some of the lamps present on your vehicle. They illuminate thanks to a easily spotable button, located in the middle of the dashboard and red color with a white triangle in the middle.

The distress lights are flashing and are used to warn other motorists of immediate danger. They are mandatory on all cars and trucks since 1979.

The operation of the distress lights is transplanted to the flashers and uses the same flashing centre. When the driver presses the distress lights button, the power station allows the lights to be fed according to an opening and closing sequence, which makes them flash.

Unlike flashers, distress lights use a additional electrical housing which connects the circuits located on each side and thus allows to flash the two bulbs simultaneously, contrary to a change of direction.

When do we light the distress lights?

The distress lights are mandatory on all cars. Their use is regulated by the Road Code, which states, inter alia, that a driver who is forced to travel at a very reduced pace must notify other road users of the traffic with the distress lights.

In addition, a vehicle immobilized on the roadway, which represents a danger to traffic, must also use its distress lights in addition to a pre-signalization with the triangle to equip the vehicle.

Therefore, you must light your distress lights in the following situations:

• For report a very strong slowdown ( sudden corkscrew, problem on your vehicle, etc.): it is usually that the last vehicle of a thread jammed or forced to suddenly slow down to the approach of a cap lights its distress lights until the next one triggers its own.
• For report an accident vehicle (or yours is a vehicle immobilized on the public road).
• For report a vehicle broken down or immobilized : this sign must be accompanied by the use of the pre-signalization triangle.

Some uses of distress lights not provided for in the Highway Code are also tolerated. This is especially the case of courtesy : it is possible to briefly activate its distress lights to thank a driver located behind.

On the other hand, the use of distress lights to report a short stop at a place where temporary parking is not allowed is abusive and constitutes a twist to the Highway Code.

In the event of misuse of distress lights, you may be at risk fine fine fine 2nd or 4th class lump sum, or an amount of 35 or 135 €, according to the article of the Highway Code that is not respected.