How to place emergency triangles on 3 types of roads
How to set up the emergency triangle
When every driver stops on a highway section or shoulder, especially when an emergency triangle signal is issued, the first thing every driver should do is to turn on their four-way flashing lights. This ensures that your vehicle is more easily seen by drivers approaching.
The driver should always wear a reflective device when putting down and collecting the emergency triangle, and should carry the triangle so that the reflective surface of the warning device faces the oncoming vehicle.
How many reflective triangles should you carry in your truck?
The driver needs to carry three emergency triangles and place them in three positions when parking.
How far should you place the reflective triangle?
The emergency triangle sign must be placed within 10 minutes after parking and should be kept in the passenger side box so that the driver can stay away from traffic. The triangle placement may vary depending on where the driver stopped, and are spaced to ensure that other drivers can see the parked truck from a distance, but still allow lane changes or slowing down.
Here are some of the most common emergency triangle locations for truck drivers:
Two-lane (two-way traffic and undivided highway)
A triangle 100 feet in front of the vehicle, in the center of the lane where the vehicle is located.
A triangle 10 feet behind the vehicle on the traffic side of the vehicle.
A triangle located 100 feet behind the vehicle in the center of the vehicle's lane.
A semi truck was parked on the side of two lanes. The safety triangles are located 100 feet in front of the truck and 10 feet and 100 feet behind the truck.
Drivers will not always stop on the side of a straight, two-way road. This is why every truck driver should also know how to place emergency triangles on separate highways, one-way roads, and roads with blocked views.
Separate highways and one-way roads
When parking on the shoulder of a one-way or branch road, you don’t have to worry that the driver will see you from the front, because everyone should come from one direction. This means that drivers should place all three triangles behind their vehicle in the following configuration:
A triangle 10 feet behind the vehicle on the traffic side of the vehicle.
A triangle located 100 feet behind the vehicle in the center of the vehicle's lane.
A triangle 200 feet behind the vehicle, in the center of its lane.
A semi-truck that appeared to have had an accident was parked on the shoulder of a divided highway. Emergency triangles were placed 10, 100, and 200 feet behind the truck.
Block the line of sight (hills and curves)
Stopping on a hillside or on the side of a bend can be particularly dangerous, because oncoming drivers’ vision is even more obstructed. Due to the increasing lack of visibility in these types of locations, the emergency triangle should be placed farther than in other situations.
If you park on a two-lane road, place a triangle at least 100 feet in front of the vehicle.
A triangle should be placed on the traffic side of the vehicle 10 feet behind the vehicle.
Move the rearmost triangle back between 100 feet and 500 feet to provide adequate warning (maximum distance from the vehicle must not exceed 500 feet).