If you're one of many drivers who has switched on your car's hazard lights while negotiating heavy rain, guess what: You've broken the law.

But it's not too likely you're going to get a ticket for it.

Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Mark Wysocky said the law is probably not very frequently enforced, noting that both the officer and driver would get "soaked" if a citation was issued in the pouring rain.

"It's more about awareness, reminding people that it is illegal to drive with hazard lights on," he said.

State statute forbids drivers – with the exception of police, fire and other officials – from using flashing lights unless their car is pulled over or disabled. Those who break the law could be subject to a ticket of about $115.

How frequently that happens is not readily available. The state's uniform traffic citation statistics are not broken down to that level.

One thing that is for certain is many drivers do it when fighting South Florida's frequent showers. Wysocky said they think they're helping other drivers and don't realize they're breaking the law.

"We see it all the time and it's a pet peeve," said Boca Raton police spokesman Marc Economou, who posted a video on the subject to the department's YouTube page.

"When you see somebody with their hazards on, it indicates you're stopped, need assistance or something's wrong."

The law comes down to safety, Wysocky and Economou said. The turn signal and brake lights on some cars don't work when hazard lights are activated, Wysocky said. And people who see hazard lights may think the car is already stopped.

"If people are worried about driving in the rain, instead of putting hazard lights on, they should just pull to the side and wait it out," Economou said. "Rain usually stops pretty quickly in Florida."

bshammas@sunsentinel.com, 561-243-6531 or Twitter @britsham