I noticed that on the 99s the hazard button is promenently displayed in the center console and kind of sticks out.<p>Ive noticed on a lot of new cars, the button has been placed in an easily reachable place for all passengers and sticks out like a sore thumb so that everyone can see it.<p>It used to be that they hid the button behind the steering wheel somewhere.<p>The question is why the sudden change? We know that 99% of the time we never use the button except to double-park with it. Why does it get such a prime location?<p>Is it the automaker lawyers contemplating avoiding lawsuits by putting a safety device in such an obvious place?<p>Is it the government mandating it?<p>I have to say that its a good place for it for that sudden hazard, but frankly I would rather have it somewhere else and make room for a better button like the defogger or fog lights or something more useful. It isnt a lifesaving device so you dont need to get to the hazards quickly from any angle in the car. "Oh know, a ditch! Hit the hazard lights!"<p>Can anyone explain this?

to thank truckers who kindly move out of my way on the highway when I travel between Seattle and the Tri-Cities, WA. A couple of flashes of the Hazards, as you coast by in the left lane, is the accepted "speak" for "thank you."<p>I have also noticed that the trucks further down the road seem to be that much more courteous to me as I come up on them. Maybe those trucks that I have "thanked" for getting out of my way so quickly radio up the road to "be nice to the guy in the cool silver Audi."<p>You never know, but it never hurts to Play Nice...<p>Kirk<br>blink blink...Thanks for playing...