When should you place the first warning device if you break down on a one-way or divided highway?

Placing the first warning device 200 feet behind your vehicle on a one-way or divided highway is essential for ensuring the safety of both the driver and other road users. This distance provides adequate space for approaching vehicles to see the warning device in advance and react appropriately.

It allows other drivers sufficient time to spot the hazard and adjust their speed or lane position to avoid a potential collision, especially since vehicles on highways often travel at high speeds. By marking the breakdown location from a distance of 200 feet, you help create a safer environment until assistance arrives or the vehicle can be moved.

The choice of 200 feet is consistent with recommendations from safety guidelines, which emphasize the importance of visibility and reaction time on high-speed roadways. This approach increases safety for everyone involved, including pedestrians and other motorists who may not be expecting a stopped vehicle on the road.