Best Road Flares To Avoid Unnecessary Roadside Deaths

There are two main types of roadside flares being used today:

1. LED electric flares
2. Pyrotechnic “fusee” flares
3. SnapLight Flares

LED Electric Flares

Modern LED flares are battery-operated, running on several AA or AAA cells.

Most of them are waterproof designs, shaped like a hockey puck with bright LEDs on the outer edge.

These flares can run for hours (even days) on a single set of batteries.

Pyrotechnic Flares

Pyrotechnic flares are often called “fusee” flares.

They are handheld-sized cardboard cylinders filled with a bright-burning chemical mixture.

The exterior is often treated with wax or other waterproofing materials. But beware, the fusees can absorb moisture and lose their efficiency over time.

They typically burn for under an hour and produce a lot of heat. So they can also double as firestarters in an emergency.

SnapLight Flares

These are more like the traditional Pyro flares but without dangerous fire components.

Snaplights work the same way Halloween safety lights work for kids.

You know, those neon light sticks parents force their kids to wear, hoping to make them more visible…

You apply pressure to them (or “snap” them), creating a chemical reaction of neon-bright light.

Simple, safe, and effective.

The entire point of a road flare is to alert other drivers.

So it’s important to consider how other drivers will see your flares.

They’re not doing their job if they’re hard to see or don’t provide enough warning distance.

How Many Flares?

Most kits contain 3-4 individual flares.

This is plenty for the majority of road emergencies.

If you decide to go with pyrotechnic fusee flares, get multiple sets, as they only burn for a limited time.

Otherwise, with LED flares, make sure you keep some spare batteries with your set.

Where Do You Place The Flares?

The best location for the flares is determined partly by the type of road you are on.

All traffic should be approaching from behind your car on a one-way road.

In this case, you can place all your flares behind your vehicle to warn drivers before they reach you.

If you’re on the side of a two-way road, be sure to place at least one flare in front and behind your car.

This allows you to warn drivers coming from either direction.

How Far Do You Space The Flares?

Spacing changes based on the type of road you are on. You want to give drivers enough warning to stop or avoid your vehicle.

Let’s go over 2 extremes to give you some rough guidance:

On a limited-access divided highway with traffic moving at 70mph –

In this case, you’ll want to put the first warning flare pretty far back behind your vehicle.

This may mean putting the first flare 200-300ft (or further) before your car, with a second flare 100ft closer.

A third flare can be placed near the vehicle to give a final warning.

On a two-way, undivided road on a residential street with traffic moving at 25 mph –

Place flares roughly 100ft in either direction.

The bottom line is:

You must give other drivers enough warning to slow down or stop to avoid your vehicle.

Speed and “divided vs. undivided” are the two biggest factors for optimal placement.

How Can You Make Flares More Visible?

Some LED flares come with magnetic bases or hanging hooks.

Why? Because height can drastically increase the mounting options for your flare.

Guard rails, traffic cones, and even roadside vegetation can provide a higher location.

This allows it to shine further down the road.

For flares used at the vehicle location, a magnet base makes the side or roof of the vehicle a great location as well.

How Does Weather Affect Flares?

Wet or snowy conditions can present challenges to both LED and pyrotechnic flares.

Snow or mud can build up on the flare, obscuring its light until it’s cleaned off.

Be sure to check your flares frequently if they show signs of being blocked.

Heavy slush or deep puddles can soak pyrotechnic flares, putting them out prematurely.

Again, keeping your flares elevated can help with these weather-related problems.

The best-LED road flares have some common features, so be sure to look out for these:

Waterproof Design

Chances are that you’ll need a set of flares most when the weather is worst.

A waterproof design means an LED flare will withstand the worst that nature can throw at it.

And not fail when you (and innocent travelers) need it the most.

Multiple Strobe Modes

Most LED flares have a flashing strobe mode, while some also have SOS and flashlight modes.

Either can be helpful and while similar, they are not the same.

SOS is a universal urgent call for immediate help or assistance.

This should only technically be used if someone needs immediate assistance, usually due to injury.

A regular strobe signals a warning of a hazard up ahead.

Magnetic Base

A magnetic base allows you to mount the flare to any steel object – cars, signposts, guard rails, etc.

Hanging Hook

Sometimes it’s best to have another mounting option that doesn’t require steel surfaces.

A folding hook is a great way to hang the flare from branches or other objects.

Rugged Design

Like all emergency equipment, look for a flare with a rugged design.

They need to be able to withstand weather, drops, and falls. Or, more likely, being run over by vehicles and still functioning.

A cheap design will not last; you’ll find they fail at the worst possible times.