How to place flags and reflectors when stopping on a divided highway.

Stalling on a divided highway isn’t just inconvenient—it can be dangerous. When your car is stopped on the shoulder, the first line of defense is visibility. Flags and reflectors aren’t decorative; they’re warning signals that give approaching drivers the heads-up they need to slow down and steer clear. Let’s break down the right way to place them and why that spacing matters.

What’s the right setup for flags and reflectors?

When you’re parked on the side of a divided highway, the standard recommendation is simple and effective: place one flag or reflector about 10 feet behind the vehicle, then a second at 100 feet behind, and a third at 200 feet behind. That creates a progressive, easy-to-read signal for drivers who are coming up fast in either direction.

Why these distances? Here’s the reasoning in plain terms.

• The 10-foot signal: This is your immediate notice. It’s close enough to catch the eye right away as someone looks toward the shoulder. It gives a quick nudge that something’s on the side and needs caution, especially if you’re in or near the lane of travel.

• The 100-foot signal: This one buys you more reaction time. On busy roads where traffic moves fast, a driver should have enough space to slow and steer safely without overreacting. The 100-foot mark acts like a gentle reminder to decelerate with care.

• The 200-foot signal: The farthest of the trio provides a long lead-in for drivers who are cruising at highway speeds. By the time a car reaches that point, drivers should be fully aware of the hazard and ready to adjust speed or lane position well before reaching the vehicle.

In other words, the setup works because it balances immediate notice with extended warning. The shortest flag catchs attention right away; the longer distances give a comfortable cushion for braking and maneuvering, which matters most on divided highways where speeds are high and traffic is often moving in two directions.

Why the other options aren’t as reliable

If you’ve peeked at multiple-choice alternatives, you’ll notice a few common patterns. Some place signals too close to the vehicle, others cluster them in front, and a few leave out one or more signals entirely. Here’s why those don’t measure up:

• Too close, or in front: A single flag just a short distance behind or in front of the vehicle can fail to provide enough warning for drivers who are quickly closing in from behind or approaching from the opposite direction. On a divided highway, those near-spot warnings can be missed in a moment of distraction.

• No progression: A setup that lacks the farthest signals doesn’t give coming traffic a long enough horizon to react. Drivers have less time to slow down safely, which increases the risk of a sideswipe or a sudden swerve into a neighboring lane.

• Only two signals or odd distances: Inconsistent spacing creates confusion. Consistency helps drivers quickly interpret the scene without having to puzzle out what each flag means while they’re already trying to avoid an impact.

So, the right answer isn’t about cleverness; it’s about a predictable, simple cue that works at speed. The 10/100/200-foot spacing gives everyone a better chance to react calmly, not crash through a hazard.

Tips for applying the signal in real life

If you’re ever faced with this scenario, a few practical habits can make the setup even more effective:

• Visibility first: Use bright, clearly colored flags or reflectors. Fluorescent orange is a classic, especially in daylight. At night, reflectors are worth their weight in caution because headlights will bounce off them.

• Keep it level and clear: Place each device on the road shoulder in a straight line behind the vehicle. If the shoulder isn’t level, use any stable surface you can find—trees aren’t ideal, but a clearly visible marker helps.

• Use multiple devices, not just one: Even if there’s a big gap in visibility (fog, rain, or glare), the series of signals creates a trail of warning that your approach drivers can read.

• Don’t rely on your lights alone: Hazard lights are helpful, but they don’t replace the need for physical markers. The human eye notices color and movement; combine both for best effect.

• Consider the conditions: Nighttime, rain, or snow can reduce visibility. In those cases, maximize the distance between signals if you can, and consider additional warning devices if available.

A quick mental model you can carry with you

Think of these signals like the three steps of a slow, friendly wave. The first wave (the 10-foot mark) says, “Hey, pay attention.” The second wave (the 100-foot mark) says, “We’re still here and we’re warning you to slow down.” The third wave (the 200-foot mark) says, “Take your time to adjust your course; there’s a vehicle here you need to respect.” When drivers receive that steady, escalating signal, the hazard doesn’t feel sudden or arbitrary—it feels predictable and manageable.

A note on rules and regional differences

Rules can vary by state or country, so it’s worth confirming the exact guidelines where you drive. In many places, the 10/100/200-foot sequence is the widely taught standard for stopped vehicles on highways. If you’re ever in doubt, check the local roadway manual or the official transportation department guidance. The goal is simple: be seen, be predictable, and give other road users room to react safely.

A tiny check-in you can use next time you’re out on the road

• Do I have at least three warning signals? Yes.

• Are they positioned in a straight line behind the vehicle? Yes.

• Is the closest signal only a short distance away (about 10 feet)? Yes.

• Are the middle and far signals spaced at 100 and 200 feet, respectively? Yes.

If you can answer yes to those questions, you’ve got a straightforward, dependable setup. It’s not about cleverness; it’s about reducing risk and keeping people moving with less stress and less chance of a crash.

Putting it all together

Let’s circle back to the big idea: the way you place flags or reflectors when you’re stopped on a divided highway matters as much as the decision to pull over in the first place. The right sequence—10 feet, 100 feet, then 200 feet behind the vehicle—gives approaching drivers a clear, scaled warning. It helps them slow down, adjust course, and pass with confidence, or to switch lanes safely if needed.

If you’re studying for the EDLT Special Requirements assessment, you’ll likely encounter scenarios like this one more than once. The core lesson isn’t just the numbers; it’s understanding why those numbers exist. It’s about thinking through speed, sightlines, and human reaction time. And yes, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little “how am I supposed to know this in the moment?” because emergencies test our clarity under pressure. The good news is, with a simple, repeatable system, you minimize the guesswork and maximize safety.

A few final reflections

Sometimes safety shines through in small details—like a trio of signals that works in harmony rather than a single, loud alarm. The road teaches us to respect space, to anticipate the unexpected, and to communicate clearly across the noise of traffic. The 10/100/200-foot rule for flags and reflectors is one of those small, practical rules that make a real difference when every second counts.

If you want to carry this idea into everyday driving, start by imagining your own vehicle as a temporary landmark on the road. Your goal isn’t to attract attention with flashiness; it’s to be seen when it matters most and to give others the time they need to respond safely. That’s the essence of good roadway judgment—straightforward, dependable, and human at heart.

Wherever your journey through the EDLT assessment takes you, keep the focus on clear signals, calm planning, and a mindset that safety always comes first. After all, the highway is a shared space, and a few well-placed signals can keep it that way for everyone.