Drivers could pick up the charge if they accidentally knock their hazards on or if they use the lights for a genuine reason but leave them flashing for too long. According to the law, road users are only allowed to use the lights when a car is stationary.
But in some severe cases, road users could be issued charges for careless driving which could see fines increase.
This could include offences where hazard lights have distracted road users or caused confusion on the roads.
Motorists are unable to use their indicators when their hazard lights are active which may be considered dangerous by police officers
Drivers may be issued fines of up to £2,500 and nine penalty points and could even be temporarily banned from the roads.
If police officers feel your actions have put yourself or other road users in server risk of suffering a car crash and possible injury, dangerous driving charges can be issued.
This will see fines rise to a maximum of £5,000 with nine points issued to offenders.
Careless or dangerous driving charges are likely to be enough to see newly qualified motorists lose their licences.
Car insurance costs are also likely to be affected as motorists will be considered to have a higher perceived risk.
Neil Greig, spokesperson for IAM RoadSmart warns hazard lights are a “grey area” which could catch out road users.
The group have urged road users to use their lights sensibly and wish to see police be “flexible” in enforcing the rules.
He said: “According to Rule 116 in the Highway Code, hazard warning lights may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic.
“It is a grey area because you can use them when moving to alert other traffic to a hazard ahead and they don’t define ‘only use them long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed’ so our advice would be to use them sensibly and for the police to be as flexible as possible in enforcing the regulations.
“Hazard warning lights should not be used when they could cause confusion. If you are driving very slowly due to a car problem and are about to stop, ensure you switch them off if you are carrying out a manoeuvre, such as turning left or right.
“It would be ironic if your use of hazard warning lights became the cause of a collision. If you were fined, it would most likely be £100 plus three points fixed penalty for careless driving.