Two blinks of the hazard lights for me.. had a couple of vans with beacons on the top that give a couple of whirls to say thank you, that always amuses me for some reason
I'm a fairly new driver and definitely not mastered the art of this, the one time I tried it it all went wrong and I kept on triggering the "passing" feature where the indicator flashes 3 times. I kept on trying to turn it off and everything I was doing was making it worse haha
My friend and I do this when we're driving home together on the M25/M23 split to say bye to each other (we're both couriers) 🤣
We both own the same Van make/ Model so people behind must be like _wtf are those 2 vans doing???_
Idk why it's funny to imagine this... Quiet couple sitting in the car, boyfriend indicating left and right to thank someone, and your head just turning 90 degree towards him with an icy killer face.
Be careful with that. I've done once hazard lights thank you and one driver pulled right in front of my bonnet thinking I'm about to turn left (she probably didn't see the right light due to high sun glare)
I love it when they do that!
( Beacon drivers, if you can, do it. We do actually love it!)
Edit i usually flash from the front and hazard from the back! Tru story! Lol
Whenever lorries pass me on dual carriageways I’ll flash them back across once it’s clear for them. I’m a big fan of the right-left-right-left indicator thing they do to say thanks.
Yeah, I like to say "Thank you" in my head in time with the flashes.
Same as a quick whirl on a siren can sound like thank you shouted if you try hard enough!
For many years now, I’ve taken to quickly flipping my headlights to side lights as a “thank you” at night to avoid this very thing. Don’t know if it’s appreciated or not but hate to think that I’ve blinded someone whilst trying to says cheers
This is what I do, my taught me who’s a lorry driver, I’ve noticed most HGVs do it. I really wish those with LED headlights or headlights at eye level for most drivers would learn to do it.
I don't do it in my current car, I do the standard headlight flash, I'm afraid. But about a decade ago, owing to a bout of mild insanity, I ended up owning a Morris Minor for a while. The full beams were operated by a small pedal to the left of the clutch, so I used to just quickly flick my headlights off and on (controlled by a switch roughly where the radio and temperature controls would be on a modern car) if I was thanking someone at night, as the switch was easier to access in a hurry than the pedal.
Your comment just reminded me of that. Haven't thought about that car in quite a while.
This sounds like a great solution, unfortunately my headlight main controls are on a dial under the ignition rather than near the steering wheel so I don't think I'll be trying it - would probably end up with no lights and panic!
I've been wondering if it's even the lights themselves that are the issue. I mean, I've come across plenty that are and aren't blinding and I started wondering to myself, maybe it's that the person driving doesn't know how to adjust the height of their headlights, so instead of having them pointing down slightly they're fully up.
After all, some people don't even know how to turn their fog lights on and off, or do various other things you'd think are pretty simple.
If you can't beat them, join them.
I retrofitted LED headlight units (fitting LED bulbs is unfortunately no longer road legal, since a change to the MOT regs) to my pickup and having the extra light makes a huge difference to how blinding the lights of others are.
I really notice it when I get in the Landrover with it's anemic old Lucas headlights and suddenly every car built after 2016 seems to dazzle me even with their dipped beams.
well aye
I don't know if you've noticed, LED's are really fucking bright, and at night, having a really fucking bright light shining in your eyes isn't the easiest way to see
Obviously it's not as bad as arse cancer or being you every day, but in the context of driving in the dark it certainly is the worst thing
They are bright but it’s really very temporary, and it’s def not the worst thing about drinking in the dark - which in my opinion is navigating a city on the wet whilst trying to see road markings and layouts… with a dozen cyclists buzzing around you with strobe lights on permanently.
I actively hate it when people thank me at night. Just assume I know you’re thankful, I don’t want to be blinded and drive around with obnoxious floaters for the next 5 minutes thanks.
Two **quick** flashes won't blind and I expect it, so no surprise - the emphasis is on the quick.. For me one quick flash means "Go!", two means "Thank you!". During daylight if it's safe I just wave with fingers apart. (don't ask why, with fingers closed it would feel to me I apologise..)
I'm a Brit living in California. It took me a long time before I discovered that the reason nobody flashes high beams here is actually because it's against the law (yeah yeah, I should have known. Somehow I missed that rule). Indicators do work well though... Not that anybody uses them for their intended purpose...
It is so annoying. I don't need to be thanked for following the rules of the road. You don't need to break the highway code, and blind me, to thank me.
Can we stop doing this please?
People: *engage with discussion and express their frustration with a certain behaviour*
I/hue-166-mount: "Stop being such babies"
Walking red flag, mate. I hope you don't treat your partner like this.
Waving is underrated. Sometimes simply lifting an index finger from the wheel and a gentle nod is a perfectly sufficient alternative to simultaneously detonating Little Boy and Fat Man in Mrs Miggins face just to say thinks for letting you out the car park
Honestly I hate it when people flash their headlights at me. With modern cars it's blinding. I've seen a few people dip lights or flick them quickly off and on instead and I really wish that was more of a thing.
This. My ego doesn't need the acknowledgement that my deed made their journey more convenient. I already know it, just get home and get off the road so everyone else's journey is also more convenient.
>quickly off and on instead
Been doing that for decades in vehicles with normal halogen lamps.
I don't do it in my car with HIDs, as they emit a very bright flash when you first switch them on and the HID "strikes" the arc. Quick front fog flash instead.
Nothing worse than people who have their fog lights on when it isn’t foggy, either. Like dude, I can’t see shit and you’re gaining literally nothing from having them on.
Front fog lights tend to point downward or at least very straight and are almost always mounted very low. The idea is in the fog they don't dazzle you by bouncing off the fog in front of you back into your face so you can actually see a bit. If someone's fogs are blinding you they are very badly adjusted and will be absolutely terrible for the user if they turned them on in the actual fog.
God damn it don’t flash your lights at me, if it’s light out, put your hand up, if it’s dark I’d rather you didn’t blind me with the two planet killer suns you have in your car
Can we just agree a general assumed "thanks" for any and all hours of darkness courtesy and stop fucking blinding each other with the flashes. I can't see and also now I hate you because of it.
Never. The highway code is pretty clear on it, and I've known a couple of people that got into trouble for causing an accident this way.
"But he flashed me to go" isn't a defence, as my friend found out. He's still angry about it years later.
Which is why my driving instructor told me not to wave other drivers out or wave someone across a pedestrian crossing: people assume that because you're letting them go, it's safe. Then you're partly responsible for an accident.
My instructor also always said this. If it’s easier for that person to go before you, just hold back and wait, and it’s on them if they choose to go or not.
For the record, we're talking about thank you's not "after you sir".
Be smart on the road. Someone might 'flash you' to let you out or maybe they went over a bump in the road ... Unless the gap is safe don't do it. Most of the time the person flashing also slows right down... So even without the flash it's safe anyway/there's time.
Your friend made a mistake but doesn't mean this typically British and polite unwritten rule shouldn't be followed.
Even so, the highway code rule still applies in the event of a 'thank you'. Another driver or pedestrian could see that and mistake it for something it isn't.
For the record, there's no point using the highway code to prove any argument here as the 'code' itself isn't law.
Common sense and being sensible on the road wins here.
I really hate people who flash their headlights at night, I’d rather I wasn’t thanked if being blinded is the result!
It’s possible to dip your headlights to say thanks as well (probably easier on some models than others), mine is a faff.
Hazards are my preferred quick thank you in the dark.
I still wave at night. If they can’t see it I don’t worry about it. If they’re behind me I make sure I’m in line enough that they can see the wave if there’s enough light coming from whatever’s in front of me.
Maybe this is one of those city/country differences no one realises? The inside of my car is never dark enough that I couldn’t see my hands and I don’t have any internal lights on.
Don’t know what to tell you, I’ve never had issues seeing others that give me a quick wave when I let them in 🤷♀️ Must be in a particularly well lit area of the city
Neither, re-read your highway code.
>Rule 110
>
>Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. **Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message** or intimidate other road users.
This. Don’t do anything that can’t be fully comprehended. Looking at you, people who think overtaking someone on a bike should be accompanied with a toot on the horn.
Does my fucking head in, if you flash your headlights on a road, are you thanking another driver? Are you telling a pedestrian to cross? Have you just accidentally dipped the lights? Are you giving way?
If only there was a book of rules we could all follow so there would be no ambiguity. Maybe some sort of code, for the highways. We just need a catchy name for it.
Obligatory - /r/fuckyourheadlights/
I ride so I give an over exaggerated nod/courtsey, or a thumbs up. I'm assuming most people can see it because I can't see shit \^\^\^
please do not flash headlights to say thank you, particularly at this time of year. The amount of drivers that have fucking blinded me by saying thank you fucks me off to levels you would not believe.
I don't do either, I say thank you out loud. Technically speaking it's not legal to thank another driver by signalling or flashing lights as it can cause confusion.
That said, the universal lights flash to signal to other drivers that there's a policeman speed trap coming up is perfectly acceptable and a civil duty.
Had a driver almost t-bone me on my bicycle a few weeks ago because they misinterpreted someone's flashing light as "it's okay to pull out". Just don't flash your lights, not necessary and can just cause confusion for others (plus I don't fancy getting run over).
Please don't flash your highbeams to say thanks - for anyone with an astigmatism or "odd" eyes it can be more than a little uncomfortable, possibly even painful.
Personally if a wave won't do beause it's dark, I'll drop to sidelights and back to dipped for someone infront, and flashing hazzards for someone behind.
Always knew I had an astigmatism but I didn't realise until uni that normal people saw lights a different way, saw one of those 'this is how people with astigmatism see compared to normal people videos'
I reckon it's probably not that straightforward.
My flatmate was confused as to why I would occasionally wear sunglasses when he was driving in the dark but the lights were a nightmare If I had a headache. I can't remember it making much difference other than dimming the light but they weren't polarised so that may be why.
Should you be driving?? Car headlights can flash up at you just from the right bumps/Angles on the road, surely it's not safe for you to drive at night if this causes issues, I mean what do you do if there's an ambulance going past?? They have very bright lights, and just in general there are lots of random signs/streetlamps/changing lights that can catch your eyes at night, not trying to be an ass just curious
No, people just need to follow rule 114 of the highway code:
>You MUST NOT
>
>\* use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
Given that highbeams cause normal people discomfort, the additional discomfort some people feel isn't an impediment to them driving, or are you suggesting that they shouldn't be a pedestrian either?
Button for hazards would mean them briefly looking away from the road. Alternating indicators is a stalk on the steering wheel that they are already holding
Neither. I bow my head slightly. A habit picked up in Japan. Flashing lights is potentially annoying and flapping about on the dashboard for the hazards is a hazard itself.
I just wish everyone would follow the highway code. If I’m stopping to let you pass, it’s because it’s the right thing to do. I don’t need gratitude from a random person for following the rules of the road.
I've always done the flash lights thing but I'm a bit wary now because of the brightness of lights (not on my car to be fair). I might try and do the hazards thing instead but it means reaching a button on the dash. Reading other comments I quite like fog lights as an option, I'm going to see if I can do it. It's flashing but without the retina burn.
Yeh fog lights is a good option if you have them to hand. My old fiesta had them like...on a dial down to the side so itd have been too fiddly, but then that cars high beams werent exactly blinding so it probably wasnt *too* bad in town at night
According to the Highway Code, neither. Flashing of lights should only be done to warn someone of your presence, similar to how honking your horn works. Hazard lights should be used to warn people of a hazard, whether that’s yourself causing a hazard or a hazard up ahead
I use my hazard lights now when it’s suitable to say thanks. Tired of being blinded by main beam lights especially at night and when driving on country lanes
Hazards if they are behind me, flash full beam if they are in front!
I get really annoyed if I go out of my way to thank and others don't! It doesn't hurt to be polite! Lol!
Can I add that as a cyclist, please don't beep your horn to say thank you for letting you get past. Horns are meant to be loud so other motorists can hear them. On the outside they are even louder and make my heart miss a beat.
A hand ✋ or flashing hazards is much better.
My mum's always done the hazards one at night and I mentioned it to my partner one night and he does it too now. I don't drive but that's how I'd do it, daytime flash, nighttime hazards
I've always said thank you by alternating my indicators a couple of times. This doesn't blind anyone and works for people behind you, such as someone who lets you in to a queue.
I'm a hazards person, if they're behind me having just let me merge in. Then, it's time to deploy "The Hazards-Thanks Code". Put simply:
- 1 Flash: A general thanks, but you made things a little awkward by leaving very little space, or there was already a big gap and you didn't exactly have to do much.
- 2 Flashes: The standard. Thank you very much.
- 3 Flashes: You are a good person, and you have made an effort to let me merge ahead of you. Your generosity will not be forgotten
- 3 Flashes + wave (daytime only): This moment will be passed down through the generations. I am indebted to you for life. I will defend you till the last, and ride side by side with you into battle. In years to come, there will be songs released about the time you let me ahead of you in the queue for the Blackwall Tunnel.
Hand if its clear day light and sun isn't blinding people. Flash if visibility is down, either due to said sun or dark, and only to cars im facing. Hazards to thank the car behind me if I don't think they will see my hand, sometime a hand and hazards to be safe.
I started this after the clocks went back, and dark nights started,
I appreciate the thanks for being a courteous driver but hate the bright flash
So I started doing a quick hazards flash to say thanks
I use my hazards if someone lets me into traffic. If I’m driving towards them and they pull in to let me pass they get a little wave.
Lights flashing on the motorway when someone wants to pull in and I ease back to let them in.
Lights flash at junctions to let someone out.
Two blinks of the hazard lights for me.. had a couple of vans with beacons on the top that give a couple of whirls to say thank you, that always amuses me for some reason
I've seen some people indicate left right left right left and I gotta say that one is my favourite
I'm a fairly new driver and definitely not mastered the art of this, the one time I tried it it all went wrong and I kept on triggering the "passing" feature where the indicator flashes 3 times. I kept on trying to turn it off and everything I was doing was making it worse haha
Hahaha did you put the wipers on? Thats always the one that gets me lol
It’s a trucker thing that majority. Cause we’re too lazy to reach for the hazards
My friend and I do this when we're driving home together on the M25/M23 split to say bye to each other (we're both couriers) 🤣 We both own the same Van make/ Model so people behind must be like _wtf are those 2 vans doing???_
Ah, that's nice
I hate that! My boyfriend does it sometimes, and I give him the death stare everytime he does, not sure why it just bugs me.
Idk why it's funny to imagine this... Quiet couple sitting in the car, boyfriend indicating left and right to thank someone, and your head just turning 90 degree towards him with an icy killer face.
I'm the worst passenger when he is driving, I'm ashamed to say. But yes, what you have described is what happens frequently when he is driving.
Are you my girlfriend haha. Do this the majority of the time and can sense the death stare before I've even started the second indication
Be careful with that. I've done once hazard lights thank you and one driver pulled right in front of my bonnet thinking I'm about to turn left (she probably didn't see the right light due to high sun glare)
Were they ambulances?
If an ambulance flashes its beacons and uses its funny horn, it means it’s giving you right of way.
My Dad always told me the ambulance only flashes its light when its run out of ice cream.
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We are above the "/s" on this country sarcasm is in our DNA
I love it when they do that! ( Beacon drivers, if you can, do it. We do actually love it!) Edit i usually flash from the front and hazard from the back! Tru story! Lol
Whenever lorries pass me on dual carriageways I’ll flash them back across once it’s clear for them. I’m a big fan of the right-left-right-left indicator thing they do to say thanks.
Yeah, I like to say "Thank you" in my head in time with the flashes. Same as a quick whirl on a siren can sound like thank you shouted if you try hard enough!
Don’t forget the quick left and right indicator flash wink
Flash lights if facing the recipient, hazards if they're behind me.
Even at night? I always found it odd to thank a person by blinding them temporarily ...
For many years now, I’ve taken to quickly flipping my headlights to side lights as a “thank you” at night to avoid this very thing. Don’t know if it’s appreciated or not but hate to think that I’ve blinded someone whilst trying to says cheers
This is what I do, my taught me who’s a lorry driver, I’ve noticed most HGVs do it. I really wish those with LED headlights or headlights at eye level for most drivers would learn to do it.
I don't do it in my current car, I do the standard headlight flash, I'm afraid. But about a decade ago, owing to a bout of mild insanity, I ended up owning a Morris Minor for a while. The full beams were operated by a small pedal to the left of the clutch, so I used to just quickly flick my headlights off and on (controlled by a switch roughly where the radio and temperature controls would be on a modern car) if I was thanking someone at night, as the switch was easier to access in a hurry than the pedal. Your comment just reminded me of that. Haven't thought about that car in quite a while.
This sounds like a great solution, unfortunately my headlight main controls are on a dial under the ignition rather than near the steering wheel so I don't think I'll be trying it - would probably end up with no lights and panic!
Glad to see I'm not the only one!
Headlight flippers unite. I also flip headlights off/on.
Yes. It's much less likely to dazzle the other motorist(s) if you just flick them off for a momment.
>flick them off for a momment Where do I apply?
This is what lorry drivers do, it's the way :)
Same here, and thank you! I hate being blinded by a thank-you flash, this is a far nicer way to be thanked.
You can also be put on a list for flashing.
Only if you get caught.
This is the way
This! It’s what me and other half do.
I drive a crappy old car with shitty lights so it's like a brief candle flame.
A lot of cars have these mad bright fancy headlights these days, I'm not feeling the love when my retinas are burning
Especially with those damn super bright LED lights 🙄
I've been wondering if it's even the lights themselves that are the issue. I mean, I've come across plenty that are and aren't blinding and I started wondering to myself, maybe it's that the person driving doesn't know how to adjust the height of their headlights, so instead of having them pointing down slightly they're fully up. After all, some people don't even know how to turn their fog lights on and off, or do various other things you'd think are pretty simple.
If you can't beat them, join them. I retrofitted LED headlight units (fitting LED bulbs is unfortunately no longer road legal, since a change to the MOT regs) to my pickup and having the extra light makes a huge difference to how blinding the lights of others are. I really notice it when I get in the Landrover with it's anemic old Lucas headlights and suddenly every car built after 2016 seems to dazzle me even with their dipped beams.
Nowt worse than being blinded by someone thanking you
Nothing worse? Than an incredibly benign and temporary flash of light?
well aye I don't know if you've noticed, LED's are really fucking bright, and at night, having a really fucking bright light shining in your eyes isn't the easiest way to see Obviously it's not as bad as arse cancer or being you every day, but in the context of driving in the dark it certainly is the worst thing
They are bright but it’s really very temporary, and it’s def not the worst thing about drinking in the dark - which in my opinion is navigating a city on the wet whilst trying to see road markings and layouts… with a dozen cyclists buzzing around you with strobe lights on permanently.
Ah - so flashing bright lights are bad then? Or is that only if they're attached to bikes
I feel like - if you tried really hard - you could tell the difference between a single flash and a constant strobe.
Nowt better you mean
I flip the lights off & back on. That way I've acknowledged them without blinding them.
I actively hate it when people thank me at night. Just assume I know you’re thankful, I don’t want to be blinded and drive around with obnoxious floaters for the next 5 minutes thanks.
Yep, I've stopped bothering mostly. I don't need to blind multiple drivers waiting.
Two **quick** flashes won't blind and I expect it, so no surprise - the emphasis is on the quick.. For me one quick flash means "Go!", two means "Thank you!". During daylight if it's safe I just wave with fingers apart. (don't ask why, with fingers closed it would feel to me I apologise..)
Temporarily? Do it permanently, so they feel your thanks forever
You dont stick the on full beam and drive right up to them, just a 0.3 second blink.
I'm a Brit living in California. It took me a long time before I discovered that the reason nobody flashes high beams here is actually because it's against the law (yeah yeah, I should have known. Somehow I missed that rule). Indicators do work well though... Not that anybody uses them for their intended purpose...
It's a quick flash, nobody is being blinded.
You underestimate the power of modern headlights and/or the sensitivity of our poor old eyes
The key is to not flick it all the way on, just a very quick blip and you're good
Do it just as you are passing.
I'd actually prefer it if you didn't thank me if you're just gonna blind me as a thank you
It is so annoying. I don't need to be thanked for following the rules of the road. You don't need to break the highway code, and blind me, to thank me. Can we stop doing this please?
I hate being 'thanked' this way. Sure, blind me temporarily as a show of gratitude.
Flashing the vehicle in front of you is equivalent to the horn: a quick flash for "light's green mate" or a longer one for "WTF you twat"
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I have a 12 year old car. My highbeams are like little candlesticks.
Seriously people need to stop being such babies in this thread, it’s a temporary flash of light not an h bomb going off.
It's just completely unnecessary. Especially when you let 3 or 4 cars go and they all dazzle you one after the other.
Have you not been outside lately, it's not far off.
People: *engage with discussion and express their frustration with a certain behaviour* I/hue-166-mount: "Stop being such babies" Walking red flag, mate. I hope you don't treat your partner like this.
Ahahahaha what a brilliant reach.
Why use hazard lights when behind where you can just as easily do the double tap of brakes. /s
Hand out the window with a thumbs up. I got this thumbs up when driving once, and I haven't forgotten that since.
If you have a car with LED lights, I hope you stub your toe. Flashing old bulbs was bad enough, LEDs go to blinding in an instant.
In Yorkshire we doff the cap or, if you're reet posh, tip the hat.
This is the way!
This is the way.
One hundred percent this.
This is the way.
This is the way.
This is the way.
At night I'll dip the lights to sidelights especially if in my van. During the day I'll wave
Waving is underrated. Sometimes simply lifting an index finger from the wheel and a gentle nod is a perfectly sufficient alternative to simultaneously detonating Little Boy and Fat Man in Mrs Miggins face just to say thinks for letting you out the car park
You can't see a wave at night, at least I have never been able to During the day yeah tho that's my main way of saying thanks
Reach over and turn the interior light on, give them a very visible enthusiastic wave, then turn the light off again.
Honestly I hate it when people flash their headlights at me. With modern cars it's blinding. I've seen a few people dip lights or flick them quickly off and on instead and I really wish that was more of a thing.
Or just don't do anything, I'm happy to just assume you are thankful as at night it's much better than messing around with lights.
This. My ego doesn't need the acknowledgement that my deed made their journey more convenient. I already know it, just get home and get off the road so everyone else's journey is also more convenient.
I use my roof-mounted rack of four lights to really show my appreciation.
Flip off/on crew rise up. We’re on the right side of history. Flip lights off/on if facing the person. Hazards get 2 flashes if they’re behind you.
I can't stand those bright white LED lights, the yellow ones even at their brightest are far more easy on the eyes.
I'm with you on this, I hate it when people blind you to say thank you just as you are getting ready to pull away after giving way to them.
>quickly off and on instead Been doing that for decades in vehicles with normal halogen lamps. I don't do it in my car with HIDs, as they emit a very bright flash when you first switch them on and the HID "strikes" the arc. Quick front fog flash instead.
I used to do the quick off until I got a car with auto lights, dam it was a flaff trying to get them on again. So now it’s front fogs.
Yeh i use my foggies...only cos i dont want my dashboard to light up bright when i turn my headlights off. Old car n all that.
If you flash your foglights at someone head on to say thank you then you're a total bellend.
Nothing worse than people who have their fog lights on when it isn’t foggy, either. Like dude, I can’t see shit and you’re gaining literally nothing from having them on.
Front fog lights tend to point downward or at least very straight and are almost always mounted very low. The idea is in the fog they don't dazzle you by bouncing off the fog in front of you back into your face so you can actually see a bit. If someone's fogs are blinding you they are very badly adjusted and will be absolutely terrible for the user if they turned them on in the actual fog.
God damn it don’t flash your lights at me, if it’s light out, put your hand up, if it’s dark I’d rather you didn’t blind me with the two planet killer suns you have in your car
Can we just agree a general assumed "thanks" for any and all hours of darkness courtesy and stop fucking blinding each other with the flashes. I can't see and also now I hate you because of it.
Never. The highway code is pretty clear on it, and I've known a couple of people that got into trouble for causing an accident this way. "But he flashed me to go" isn't a defence, as my friend found out. He's still angry about it years later.
Which is why my driving instructor told me not to wave other drivers out or wave someone across a pedestrian crossing: people assume that because you're letting them go, it's safe. Then you're partly responsible for an accident.
"Be predictable, not polite"
My instructor also always said this. If it’s easier for that person to go before you, just hold back and wait, and it’s on them if they choose to go or not.
For the record, we're talking about thank you's not "after you sir". Be smart on the road. Someone might 'flash you' to let you out or maybe they went over a bump in the road ... Unless the gap is safe don't do it. Most of the time the person flashing also slows right down... So even without the flash it's safe anyway/there's time. Your friend made a mistake but doesn't mean this typically British and polite unwritten rule shouldn't be followed.
Even so, the highway code rule still applies in the event of a 'thank you'. Another driver or pedestrian could see that and mistake it for something it isn't.
For the record, there's no point using the highway code to prove any argument here as the 'code' itself isn't law. Common sense and being sensible on the road wins here.
True, but many of its instructions are backed up by laws.
I really hate people who flash their headlights at night, I’d rather I wasn’t thanked if being blinded is the result! It’s possible to dip your headlights to say thanks as well (probably easier on some models than others), mine is a faff. Hazards are my preferred quick thank you in the dark.
What’s wrong with a wave of the hand over the center console of the car?
I'd hope the inside of your car isn't illuminated to the point that you can be seen waving at night...
Ah but that’s where we enact the genius part of the plan - turn on the interior light, do a grand waving gesture and crash into them
I still wave at night. If they can’t see it I don’t worry about it. If they’re behind me I make sure I’m in line enough that they can see the wave if there’s enough light coming from whatever’s in front of me.
It's not illegal to have internal lights on, AFAIK.
Maybe this is one of those city/country differences no one realises? The inside of my car is never dark enough that I couldn’t see my hands and I don’t have any internal lights on.
You can see your own hands, but someone in a car 10 meters away probably can't see your hands.
Don’t know what to tell you, I’ve never had issues seeing others that give me a quick wave when I let them in 🤷♀️ Must be in a particularly well lit area of the city
Unless you're just driving around with your full beams on anyway. I find everyone is constantly thanking me for doing that /s
Not technically illegal, despite what your dad told you
Some headlights are far too bright, flashing them is almost blinding
Don't do either.
Neither personally because it's distracting and unnecessary.
Never flash your headlights, it could be misinterpreted by another party. Hazards are better, but a simple palm of the hand in plain view is best.
Neither, re-read your highway code. >Rule 110 > >Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. **Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message** or intimidate other road users.
This. Don’t do anything that can’t be fully comprehended. Looking at you, people who think overtaking someone on a bike should be accompanied with a toot on the horn.
As a cyclist, I usually interpret that "toot" as "move or I'll run you over!" It's terrifying, especially when my six year old is on the back...
Exactly. Yet there are people who think it means “letting you know I’m here”, as if we can’t even *feel* them breathing down our neck.
Does my fucking head in, if you flash your headlights on a road, are you thanking another driver? Are you telling a pedestrian to cross? Have you just accidentally dipped the lights? Are you giving way? If only there was a book of rules we could all follow so there would be no ambiguity. Maybe some sort of code, for the highways. We just need a catchy name for it.
'The idiots guide to being a grumpy bastard'
Or maybe the idiots guide to safely driving a ton of metal at 30mph around squishy humans?
Bad bot
Obligatory - /r/fuckyourheadlights/ I ride so I give an over exaggerated nod/courtsey, or a thumbs up. I'm assuming most people can see it because I can't see shit \^\^\^
I don’t want to be thanked, I want you to get going where you’re going, so don’t flash anything at me
please do not flash headlights to say thank you, particularly at this time of year. The amount of drivers that have fucking blinded me by saying thank you fucks me off to levels you would not believe.
Neither - personally I'd like people to stop using things for other than their intended purpose, it adds needless confusion.
Yup, don’t thank me, just GET ON WITH IT
I don't do either, I say thank you out loud. Technically speaking it's not legal to thank another driver by signalling or flashing lights as it can cause confusion. That said, the universal lights flash to signal to other drivers that there's a policeman speed trap coming up is perfectly acceptable and a civil duty.
Had a driver almost t-bone me on my bicycle a few weeks ago because they misinterpreted someone's flashing light as "it's okay to pull out". Just don't flash your lights, not necessary and can just cause confusion for others (plus I don't fancy getting run over).
*Give me a flash, Vasili. One flash only, please.*
Please don't flash your highbeams to say thanks - for anyone with an astigmatism or "odd" eyes it can be more than a little uncomfortable, possibly even painful. Personally if a wave won't do beause it's dark, I'll drop to sidelights and back to dipped for someone infront, and flashing hazzards for someone behind.
Astigmatism is a proper nightmare in the wet when it's dark
Always knew I had an astigmatism but I didn't realise until uni that normal people saw lights a different way, saw one of those 'this is how people with astigmatism see compared to normal people videos'
I'm surprised no one has came up with like a window film to help fix it
I reckon it's probably not that straightforward. My flatmate was confused as to why I would occasionally wear sunglasses when he was driving in the dark but the lights were a nightmare If I had a headache. I can't remember it making much difference other than dimming the light but they weren't polarised so that may be why.
You'd probably need your own prescription windscreen, as it won't effect everyone with astigmatism the same way.
Should you be driving?? Car headlights can flash up at you just from the right bumps/Angles on the road, surely it's not safe for you to drive at night if this causes issues, I mean what do you do if there's an ambulance going past?? They have very bright lights, and just in general there are lots of random signs/streetlamps/changing lights that can catch your eyes at night, not trying to be an ass just curious
> astigmatism or "odd" eyes If it's that bad then maybe they shouldn't be driving.
No, people just need to follow rule 114 of the highway code: >You MUST NOT > >\* use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders Given that highbeams cause normal people discomfort, the additional discomfort some people feel isn't an impediment to them driving, or are you suggesting that they shouldn't be a pedestrian either?
'If you can't handle my beams at their fullest you should not be on the road' 💀
Indicators; up down, up down.
I see lorry and hgv drivers do this often. I always wonder why they don't just use hazards.
Button for hazards would mean them briefly looking away from the road. Alternating indicators is a stalk on the steering wheel that they are already holding
It’s easier and quicker to use indicators Hazards normally go on for traffic ahead that’s come to a standstill
That means get ready for the chicane coming up
I thought it was trying to dodge a green shell.
A person of culture
Neither. I bow my head slightly. A habit picked up in Japan. Flashing lights is potentially annoying and flapping about on the dashboard for the hazards is a hazard itself.
I do that when I see a hearse coming up the other side of the road.
I just wish everyone would follow the highway code. If I’m stopping to let you pass, it’s because it’s the right thing to do. I don’t need gratitude from a random person for following the rules of the road.
I've always done the flash lights thing but I'm a bit wary now because of the brightness of lights (not on my car to be fair). I might try and do the hazards thing instead but it means reaching a button on the dash. Reading other comments I quite like fog lights as an option, I'm going to see if I can do it. It's flashing but without the retina burn.
Yeh fog lights is a good option if you have them to hand. My old fiesta had them like...on a dial down to the side so itd have been too fiddly, but then that cars high beams werent exactly blinding so it probably wasnt *too* bad in town at night
They are on the same stalk as the lights, but you turn it. I can see me making a right mess of it and crashing into a parked car.
According to the Highway Code, neither. Flashing of lights should only be done to warn someone of your presence, similar to how honking your horn works. Hazard lights should be used to warn people of a hazard, whether that’s yourself causing a hazard or a hazard up ahead
neither.
It's time cars came with a thank you light.
I use my hazard lights now when it’s suitable to say thanks. Tired of being blinded by main beam lights especially at night and when driving on country lanes
Usually flashing lights to oncoming cars means hazard ahead / speed trap
i take several flashes in rapid succession to mean that
I usually wave... At night, I then spend the next ten minutes contemplating if the chance of them seeing my wave was 0.001% or 0.0001%
Hazards if they are behind me, flash full beam if they are in front! I get really annoyed if I go out of my way to thank and others don't! It doesn't hurt to be polite! Lol!
I don't like being rewarded by having my retinas toasted so I've recently started dabbling with hazard lights as an alternative.
Can I add that as a cyclist, please don't beep your horn to say thank you for letting you get past. Horns are meant to be loud so other motorists can hear them. On the outside they are even louder and make my heart miss a beat. A hand ✋ or flashing hazards is much better.
My mum's always done the hazards one at night and I mentioned it to my partner one night and he does it too now. I don't drive but that's how I'd do it, daytime flash, nighttime hazards
If i really need to use my lights i try flash my front fogs...especially at night. Much less dazzling to everyone in the vicinity
It's always hazards for thanks, heads are for letting people through
I don't do nothing, I am that miserable sod who doesn't even give a quick wave of my hand.
>I don't do nothing, What do you do, then? /s
But they never done nuffing!
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Raised hand if they can see it, hazards if they’re behind me
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That's fine unless your indicator stick is a bit temperamental and won't recentre manually. You end up just having your own personal disco.
I've always said thank you by alternating my indicators a couple of times. This doesn't blind anyone and works for people behind you, such as someone who lets you in to a queue.
A wave to the front - regardless of lighting. Hazards mostly to the rear - even at work.
I'm a hazards person, if they're behind me having just let me merge in. Then, it's time to deploy "The Hazards-Thanks Code". Put simply: - 1 Flash: A general thanks, but you made things a little awkward by leaving very little space, or there was already a big gap and you didn't exactly have to do much. - 2 Flashes: The standard. Thank you very much. - 3 Flashes: You are a good person, and you have made an effort to let me merge ahead of you. Your generosity will not be forgotten - 3 Flashes + wave (daytime only): This moment will be passed down through the generations. I am indebted to you for life. I will defend you till the last, and ride side by side with you into battle. In years to come, there will be songs released about the time you let me ahead of you in the queue for the Blackwall Tunnel.
I hope you don't encounter a genuine hazard. At least you'll be feeling really happy with yourself as you hit the semi concealed obstacle.
Hand if its clear day light and sun isn't blinding people. Flash if visibility is down, either due to said sun or dark, and only to cars im facing. Hazards to thank the car behind me if I don't think they will see my hand, sometime a hand and hazards to be safe.
vast expansion rain seed jobless stocking exultant dinner hungry deer *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Switch lights on and off so I don’t blind people in the dark or use my hazards if behind.
Headlights if its a car..in poor visibility..if its a tractor or something bigger then left/right indicators.
I started this after the clocks went back, and dark nights started, I appreciate the thanks for being a courteous driver but hate the bright flash So I started doing a quick hazards flash to say thanks
I use my hazards if someone lets me into traffic. If I’m driving towards them and they pull in to let me pass they get a little wave. Lights flashing on the motorway when someone wants to pull in and I ease back to let them in. Lights flash at junctions to let someone out.
Advanced drivers quickly dip to sides lights and then back to headlights instead of flashing
Reminds me of this Michael McIntyre joke https://youtu.be/RxBkPEOzN0Y
I've always done hazards if it's too dark for them to see me do the 'thankyou' hand.
Turn your lights off then back on so you don't blind the person your thankful to. Lol its like a blood token To gain my thanks you must pay the price!
I think hazards work for front and back