Disabled vehicle warning devices — Montana Permit Test

When a truck, bus or trailer is disabled on the highway or shoulder while lights are required, the first warning device goes immediately at the traffic side of the vehicle.

Traffic bearing down on a stalled truck needs a warning right at the truck while the others are set out.

A warning device as previously described shall be immediately placed at the traffic side of the vehicle in the direction of approaching traffic.

A warning device goes 100 feet behind the disabled vehicle, in the center of its lane.

A warning set too close leaves a driver no room to change lanes before the truck.

1 - 100 feet (200 feet if divided highway) in back of the vehicle in the center of the lane occupied by the vehicle

On a divided highway, the rear warning device goes 200 feet behind the disabled vehicle.

Divided-highway traffic comes faster, so it needs the warning farther back.

1 - 100 feet (200 feet if divided highway) in back of the vehicle in the center of the lane occupied by the vehicle

One warning device goes at the traffic side of the vehicle, not less than 10 feet away, toward the nearest approaching traffic.

A warning right against the truck's side gets lost in its shadow.

1 - at the traffic side of the vehicle not less than 10 feet, in the direction of nearest approaching traffic

If the vehicle is disabled within 500 feet of a curve, hill or other blocked view, the warning in that direction goes no less than 500 feet away.

A driver coming over a hill sees a warning placed 100 feet back too late to stop.

Whenever any of the above vehicles is disabled within 500 feet of a curve, hill or other obstruction to view, the warning signal in that direction shall be placed no less than 500 feet from the vehicle and so as to afford ample warning to approaching traffic.

When the warning devices are not required, the driver of a disabled truck must display two red flags in its lane or 100 feet to the front and rear.

Even in daylight, a stopped truck in a lane is a surprise to a driver looking farther ahead.

Whenever any of the above vehicles is disabled on a roadway when the above warning devices are not required, the driver shall display two red flags in the lane occupied by the disabled vehicle or at a distance of 100 feet to the front and rear of the vehicle.

When a truck is disabled at night, where does the first warning device go?

At the traffic side of the vehicle. Traffic bearing down on a stalled truck needs a warning right at the truck while the others are set out. Montana Driver Manual, p.18: “A warning device as previously described shall be immediately placed at the traffic side of the vehicle in the direction of approaching traffic.”