What should you do if your stopped vehicle is not visible to drivers behind you due to a hill or curve?

When your stopped vehicle is not visible to drivers approaching from behind because of a hill or curve, moving the rear reflective triangle back down the road is crucial for safety. Placing the reflective triangle at a suitable distance behind your vehicle alerts other drivers that there is a hazard ahead. This advance warning can help prevent accidents by giving those approaching time to react appropriately and either slow down or change lanes.

Using a reflective triangle is part of standard protocol for ensuring roadside safety, particularly in visibility-limiting situations. The rule of thumb is to position the triangle at least 200 feet behind your vehicle on the side of the road where you’re facing oncoming traffic, thus maximizing visibility and ensuring that other drivers can see the warning from a sufficient distance.

In contrast, leaving the vehicle as is or simply signaling for assistance could result in collisions, as other drivers may not have enough warning to react. Removing the vehicle from the road can also be a viable option, but it may not always be immediately feasible or safe depending on the circumstances. Hence, repositioning the reflective triangle is the most effective way to enhance safety for all road users in such scenarios.