Truckers no longer need to carry liquid-burning flares for safety

The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposes removing liquid-burning flares from its list of required warning devices for commercial vehicles. This means truck drivers will no longer be legally required to carry a device that is rarely used and considered obsolete.

For decades, federal rules have required commercial truck drivers to carry liquid-burning flares, even though modern alternatives like reflective triangles are safer and more common. This small change removes an outdated requirement that added unnecessary cost and complexity for truckers. It reflects a broader, slow-moving trend of agencies updating regulations to match current technology and practices.