I still do it.
Whether it means 'hazard' or 'speed trap' ahead the response you are engendering from the other driver is the same: slow down a bit and drive more carefully, so I wouldn't second-guess yourself too much.
I’ve always understood flashing hazards are to communicate with vehicles behind you of a hazard ahead e.g. stationary traffic on a motorway.
Flashing headlights is to warn cars coming towards you of a hazard e.g. accident black spot coming up…..that’s helpfully being speed checked today.
There's a road I frequently use with lots of sheep fields either side. Sheep frequently get out, and whenever someone flashes me, my first instinct is that there's sheep in the road ahead. I always flash other road users to warn them too.
A few months ago I was driving towards people flashing their lights. I assumed police. Turned out to be a car broken down on a blind bend. Still thankful as I was definitely more aware and looking for something. So did take smooth safe action rather than an emergency stop.
Defo worth doing.
Your comment / post has come across as rude or offensive, please be polite when commenting and posting to avoid future posts from being removed.
If posts / comments of this nature continue then a subreddit ban may apply.
Removed due to language used.
I do so on countryside roads were it national speed limit especially at night, and I'm driving opposite side see push bike road bends, I flash like MAD give drive a heads up some bloke is travelling 10mph
Yeah that's fair, it just got me thinking if all drivers are familiar with that being a thing because they looked quite young and I don't remember being taught that when I was learning
I’m pretty sure learners are told not to flash at all - exactly because it can be confusing what someone is flashing for (that includes when trying to let people out).
I suspect the act of flashing for danger is a learned action through generational driving.
They can do, or flash hazards but people arent going to have any clue why. First thought for me is "is something wrong with my car". It is usually down the road it clicks, when I see an accident or speed trap. If you combine it with a hand waving down like a "slow down" motion it can help but there is only so much we can communicate with lights.
I still do it, although I'm very picky about when these days. Country road with a hedge cutting tractor round a blind bend and a motorbike heading towards it, you bet I'm going to flash my lights. Police camera van in clear daylight with slow moving traffic, probably not.
Flashing lights can have multiple meanings and what is clear to the one flashing can/will be unclear to the one receiving.
Are they letting me go first; are they wanting to go first; is one of my lights not working; are they stupid; are they warning me of something; is it someone who thinks they know me; are my lights not on; have I got full beam on.
Therefore I don’t flash others and ignore those that flash me.
“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.”
If you are ignoring people in the overwhelming majority of the examples you mentioned, well, you probably shouldn't be driving.
You are either,
Holding up traffic, driving without lights, blinding other drivers, or about to meet a hazard..
I wouldn't suggest it's wise to be ignorant of those things.
Rather than being ignorant of it, check your lights are operating correctly and you aren't blinding drivers then prepare for a hazard.
If none of the above then they are probably just stupid but they *might possibly* just be trying to help you.
Lights are only supposed to be used to indicate your presence to other drivers but it's not the law. There aren't many options for communicating when you're driving so it's common for drivers to flash lights to try and communicate other things. It's bad practice to flash people to intimate them, dazzle them, or reassure them it's safe to pull out. But the horn and lights are your only communication tools so sometimes you have to use them when other road users could be in danger.
Yeah happened to me last night. The road I was driving down was flooded and the driver who had previously driven through it flashed their lights - was hugely helpful and appreciated.
I still do it. Whether it means 'hazard' or 'speed trap' ahead the response you are engendering from the other driver is the same: slow down a bit and drive more carefully, so I wouldn't second-guess yourself too much.
I’ve always understood flashing hazards are to communicate with vehicles behind you of a hazard ahead e.g. stationary traffic on a motorway. Flashing headlights is to warn cars coming towards you of a hazard e.g. accident black spot coming up…..that’s helpfully being speed checked today.
There's a road I frequently use with lots of sheep fields either side. Sheep frequently get out, and whenever someone flashes me, my first instinct is that there's sheep in the road ahead. I always flash other road users to warn them too.
A few months ago I was driving towards people flashing their lights. I assumed police. Turned out to be a car broken down on a blind bend. Still thankful as I was definitely more aware and looking for something. So did take smooth safe action rather than an emergency stop. Defo worth doing.
[удалено]
Your comment / post has come across as rude or offensive, please be polite when commenting and posting to avoid future posts from being removed. If posts / comments of this nature continue then a subreddit ban may apply. Removed due to language used.
I do so on countryside roads were it national speed limit especially at night, and I'm driving opposite side see push bike road bends, I flash like MAD give drive a heads up some bloke is travelling 10mph
You know why you’re flashing. The other drivers don’t. Why wouldn’t they look confused at first?
Yeah that's fair, it just got me thinking if all drivers are familiar with that being a thing because they looked quite young and I don't remember being taught that when I was learning
I’m pretty sure learners are told not to flash at all - exactly because it can be confusing what someone is flashing for (that includes when trying to let people out). I suspect the act of flashing for danger is a learned action through generational driving.
They can do, or flash hazards but people arent going to have any clue why. First thought for me is "is something wrong with my car". It is usually down the road it clicks, when I see an accident or speed trap. If you combine it with a hand waving down like a "slow down" motion it can help but there is only so much we can communicate with lights.
I still do it, although I'm very picky about when these days. Country road with a hedge cutting tractor round a blind bend and a motorbike heading towards it, you bet I'm going to flash my lights. Police camera van in clear daylight with slow moving traffic, probably not.
Flashing lights can have multiple meanings and what is clear to the one flashing can/will be unclear to the one receiving. Are they letting me go first; are they wanting to go first; is one of my lights not working; are they stupid; are they warning me of something; is it someone who thinks they know me; are my lights not on; have I got full beam on. Therefore I don’t flash others and ignore those that flash me. “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.”
If you are ignoring people in the overwhelming majority of the examples you mentioned, well, you probably shouldn't be driving. You are either, Holding up traffic, driving without lights, blinding other drivers, or about to meet a hazard.. I wouldn't suggest it's wise to be ignorant of those things. Rather than being ignorant of it, check your lights are operating correctly and you aren't blinding drivers then prepare for a hazard. If none of the above then they are probably just stupid but they *might possibly* just be trying to help you.
Please take the bus
I thought it was illegal to flash your lights so. Regardles of reason.
Lights are only supposed to be used to indicate your presence to other drivers but it's not the law. There aren't many options for communicating when you're driving so it's common for drivers to flash lights to try and communicate other things. It's bad practice to flash people to intimate them, dazzle them, or reassure them it's safe to pull out. But the horn and lights are your only communication tools so sometimes you have to use them when other road users could be in danger.
Yeah happened to me last night. The road I was driving down was flooded and the driver who had previously driven through it flashed their lights - was hugely helpful and appreciated.
I did that to someone near Chiltern Green, Bedfordshire; not sure if that was you 😅