h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...they use the hazard lights all the time - because flashing the hazard lights in Japan simply means that you're pulling over.
Interisting (and quite surprising!).

I too have a large red button on the steering column of my car. When I refer to my Owner's Manual, I was puzzled to find it illuminated what it called the "I'm-getting-my-dry-cleaning-lights".

I've only picked up my dry-cleaning twice since I've had my car (two years) but on both occasions I found them invaluable in that I was allowed to plough through swathes of pedestrians in shopping precincts/malls on a Saturday mornings, and park conveniently right outside the dry-cleaners. Sometimes the lights even allow me to park inside the dry-cleaners, which of course means I am spared the trouble of actually getting out of my car.

I've witnessed many-a road traffic accident recently, but can locate no button to illuminate anything that could warn others of the impending danger. I therefore resort to turning my indicator lights on – left and right – in rapid succession, and find this works adequately.