What safety measure should be taken to warn other drivers of a vehicle breakdown?

Placing flares 200-300 feet behind the vehicle is an effective safety measure to warn other drivers of a vehicle breakdown. Flares are designed to be highly visible and can signal to approaching vehicles that there is a hazard on the roadway. Positioning them at a distance allows drivers enough time to react and safely navigate around the breakdown. This distance also helps to ensure that the warning is seen well in advance, reducing the risk of a collision.

Other options, while they may seem helpful, do not provide the same level of clear and proactive warning. Using the car horn is often ineffective as it does not signal the presence of a hazard, and it may simply create noise without conveying crucial information. Standing outside the car and waving does not effectively alert other drivers because it relies on visual cues that may not be as noticeable as flares, especially in low visibility conditions. Turning on the headlights can help make your vehicle more visible, particularly in low-light situations, but it does not provide a distinct warning to alert other drivers to a potential hazard, especially from a distance.