When I flash my lights

[claptrappers_union]

When you want to pull out of a junction, or a side road, or a supermarket car park, if I'm ascending down the road and I'm flashing my lights, that is me informing you that I have acknowledged your presence ahead of me; I am holding off the acceleration for you, giving you time to make the manoeuvre on to the road without you having to wait any longer, and in return meaning I do not have to change down gears and affect the flow of traffic behind either.

What it doesn't mean is - you look at me, me flashing you again, you still looking at me.... me continuing to flash, to the point I am almost seeing at the white of your eyes, and having to slow right down, repeating the words 'go, go, go' - only then to get the wave of appreciation before watching you eventually set off.

I don't want to generalise, but I think I'm talking to the over the 60s here; I don't know if something changes in the driving mindset. If it's your ability or eyesight, maybe you're taking fewer risks... I don't know.... Still, take the time to assess and check for cyclists or any hazards - be safe. I'm just explaining what we are communicating to you and allowing you the time to advance onto the main road with the rest of us.

Get your car ready in the first gear; when you get to a giveaway, forget neutral.... even if you plan and observe the main road before approaching the Give Way line, you might be able to keep it in second because you might not need to stop; don't worry, I've got your back. Let's keep the traffic flowing.

[Bosscat]

When you want to pull out of a junction, or a side road, or a supermarket car park, if I'm ascending down the road and I'm flashing my lights, that is me informing you that I have acknowledged your presence ahead of me; I am holding off the acceleration for you, giving you time to make the manoeuvre on to the road without you having to wait any longer, and in return meaning I do not have to change down gears and affect the flow of traffic behind either.

What it doesn't mean is - you look at me, me flashing you again, you still looking at me.... me continuing to flash, to the point I am almost seeing at the white of your eyes, and having to slow right down, repeating the words 'go, go, go' - only then to get the wave of appreciation before watching you eventually set off.

I don't want to generalise, but I think I'm talking to the over the 60s here; I don't know if something changes in the driving mindset. If it's your ability or eyesight, maybe you're taking fewer risks... I don't know.... Still, take the time to assess and check for cyclists or any hazards - be safe. I'm just explaining what we are communicating to you and allowing you the time to advance onto the main road with the rest of us.

Get your car ready in the first gear; when you get to a giveaway, forget neutral.... even if you plan and observe the main road before approaching the Give Way line, you might be able to keep it in second because you might not need to stop; don't worry, I've got your back. Let's keep the traffic flowing.

Tbf The Highway code states ...

Screenshot_20240216_110515_Chrome.jpg (125.31 KiB) Viewed 3189 times

[Tricky Trevor]

In the Highway code flashing your lights means…I am here, not.. you may pull out.
It drives me mad as well but live with it.
Over here I bimble along so slow down and indicate left to let faster drivers through. The majority don’t get it so just tuck in behind me.

[daveisaclaret]

Is everything ok at home?

[Stalbansclaret]

Err… okaaaaaaay !! I’m 62 and don’t think my faculties gave gone but given there is no standard “meaning” to someone flashing their lights I might well not be able to read your mind should we encounter each other on the road.

[Lip]

Claptrappers needs to read the highway code and not generize on the over 60's who are probably better drivers than he is.

[GetIntoEm]

absolutely this!

and the fact when they do go, they concentrate more on trying to wave thank you, than actually maneuvering, controlling the car and driving on.

i dont need a little wave, just get on your way

[claptrappers_union]

Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there.

Flashing my lights lets the driver know that I am there, so they know they have the time to make the manoeuvre because I've acknowledged them

"Rule 111 - Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully."

Still, take the time to assess and check for cyclists or any hazards - be safe.

Suppose we are going to follow every rule by the book. I will never let anyone out again; I'll just take the glare and hand gesture instead.

[Westleigh]

Err… okaaaaaaay !! I’m 62 and don’t think my faculties gave gone but given there is no standard “meaning” to someone flashing their lights I might well not be able to read your mind should we encounter each other on the road.

I reckon the mid 50’s to the mid 70’s are probably the safest people on the roads .

[Tall Paul]

How do you ascend down a road?

[Westleigh]

What a load of claptrap from Claptrap.

[ksrclaret]

To use parlance from our resident Rovers fan StayingDown4Ever, I'm afraid that the original poster has absolutely humiliated himself here.

[Clovius Boofus]

If someone 'flashes' me - I always wait until I'm damn well sure they are going to giveway. I don't think, 'I'm sorry for smashing into them, but he/she flashed their headlights at me' would go down well with the police or my insurance company.

[claptrappers_union]

How do you ascend down a road?

Yeah, I wasn't sure about the correct terminology there. I suppose you can only ascend upwards, can't you, like hills?

[nelincsclaret]

The problem with flashing headlights as you describe is that it can be misinterpreted by others.
For instance both the vehicle you are flashing and a pedestrian waiting to cross may think the flash is meant for them. Both then go together and the pedestrian gets hit.
Also with the state of the roads the car rising and falling over the bumps in the road can often look like a flash.
I’m a driving instructor in Grimsby and students are taught not to flash, but to make eye contact with other drivers. If someone flashes them, they should decide if it’s definitely meant for them and only to proceed if it’s safe. Could for instance as you slow down and flash someone out, there be a motorbike overtaking you?

[Clovius Boofus]

I will never let anyone out again; I'll just take the glare and hand gesture instead.

[Foshiznik]

The worst are those who pull out (Whether you let them out or not) and don’t accelerate to the speed of the traffic meaning you and those behind you have to brake.

You were quick enough to accelerate out of the junction so why not continue the manoeuvre at that same eagerness?!

[ClaretOfMancunia]

As I was travelling down a main road, there was a lorry waiting at a junction on my left - waiting to turn right (across my path). An oncoming driver flashed him out just as I was about to pass... You can guess what happened next. My car got wrote off.

[Foshiznik]

Tbf The Highway code states ...
Screenshot_20240216_110515_Chrome.jpg

If we are going to follow the code to the letter, does that mean I should constantly flash my lights to confirm my presence to all road users?

[Westleigh]

Always assume the other driver doesn’t know what she,or he is doing .

[claptrappers_union]

The problem with flashing headlights as you describe is that it can be misinterpreted by others.
For instance both the vehicle you are flashing and a pedestrian waiting to cross may think the flash is meant for them. Both then go together and the pedestrian gets hit.
Also with the state of the roads the car rising and falling over the bumps in the road can often look like a flash.
I’m a driving instructor in Grimsby and students are taught not to flash, but to make eye contact with other drivers. If someone flashes them, they should decide if it’s definitely meant for them and only to proceed if it’s safe. Could for instance as you slow down and flash someone out, there be a motorbike overtaking you?

But the person flashing also has to consider these, I agree. The person pulling out should still take the time to assess the situation themselves also.

But flashing your lights in the UK is a positive gesture - 'I'm giving you time and space to go', 'Thank you for letting me through', 'speed van ahead', 'you're dazzling me', 'turn your lights on', 'hazard ahead', 'you're welcome to change lanes in front of me,' 'you're welcome to watch me and my partner now' - In other countries, it's an aggressive gesture.

Eye contact and friendly hand gestures are also important, as to read the 'body language' of the car, but I don't think many people do these. They just see boxes moving.

[Clovius Boofus]

Sounds like driving is causing you much woe, Claptrappers. You should start using public transport. It would make your life less traumatic.

[brexit]

This is to be expected. Ageing posters out of touch with reality.

[Bosscat]

This thread has brightened up an otherwise dull day

[Rick_Muller]

What gets my goat is people who insist on blinding me with full beam because I have done something correct like wait to allow the traffic with the right of way to pass past parked cars and the like.

Don’t flash full beam for any other reason that to warn other drivers that you’re there.

[bfcjg]

Lost interest when I put my readers on and it wasn't tights.

[Bordeauxclaret]

If ever a thread should have been held back for an International break it’s this one.

[Claretmisterg]

I once got sideswiped coming round a bend in Ilkley by a guy turning right across the lane I was travelling in. He got very angry with me because he thought he was allowed to go because a guy pulling out of the junction he was turning into had flashed him to say he could go. Thankfully there was a copper nearby who defused the situation and also acted as a witness for my insurance.

[ChrisG]

Back in the day when I was a fraud investigator, flashing the lights to let someone out, but then continuing on to instigate a collision was a relatively common tactic from the more inventive fraudster.

Unlike deliberate braking, it is very difficult to disprove with a dash cam as they generally don't point sideways.

[dougcollins]

In Europe - and in particular in Italy - they very much follow rule 110.

In fact, if someone flashes their lights at you, it generally means 'get out of my way'.

[Devils_Advocate]

Daily Mail Headline: UTC'S MESSAGEBOARD POSTER DESCRIBES FRUSTRATION AT FLASHING STRANGERS IN CARS

[Bosscat]

Daily Mail Headline: UTC'S MESSAGEBOARD POSTER DESCRIBES FRUSTRATION AT FLASHING STRANGERS IN CARS

[pushpinpussy]

not sure dogging will be for you.

[brexit]

not sure dogging will be for you.

I do miss saxo

[CaptainKirk]

This thread just reminded me of an incident I saw today.
I watched a young driver in his souped up Golf perform a dangerous overtaking, approaching lights, to get past a car slowing down for the lights.
I thought "What a prat"
One second later one of the cars he passed switched on his blue lights and siren and set off after him.
Karma!

[Jamesy]

I think a bigger problem on the road are those tw@ts who are p!ssing about with their mobile phones and don’t move when traffic lights turn to green. Then when tooted or they realise, they go being the only car to get through and then the lights change back to red. These are a serious hindrance to traffic flow.

[fatboy47]

I thought it just meant it was OK to come and watch.

[TheFamilyCat]

I think a bigger problem on the road are those tw@ts who are p!ssing about with their mobile phones and don’t move when traffic lights turn to green. Then when tooted or they realise, they go being the only car to get through and then the lights change back to red. These are a serious hindrance to traffic flow.

And this happens how often?

[boatshed bill]

I think the biggest problem is people not just adhering to the highway code.

[Jakubclaret]

Too many motorists are rushing to get to A&B asap & aren’t setting off early enough & anticipating the volumes of traffic. We don’t have enough calm & relaxed drivers on the road instead we have impatient & anxiety ridden drivers.

[Lip]

When I see some drivers,I wonder how on earth they have passed their test.. Especially when going round glorietas .. Unbelievable!

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

What is a glorieta?

[TheFamilyCat]

Too many motorists are rushing to get to A&B asap & aren’t setting off early enough & anticipating the volumes of traffic. We don’t have enough calm & relaxed drivers on the road instead we have impatient & anxiety ridden drivers.

They just need a nip of whisky or a bifter, eh?

[Lip]

What is a glorieta?

Sorry,I went into Spanish mode. ,it's a roundabout..

[Jamesy]

And this happens how often?

Very often. Do you drive a car?

[TheFamilyCat]

Very often. Do you drive a car?

So you often see drivers p!ssing about with their mobile phones to the extent that they don’t move when traffic lights turn to green, and when they do go are the only car to get through and then the lights change back to red?

[SirBob]

If you think I’m stupid enough to ensure the safety of me and my passengers to the safety of some knobhead with the ability to flash some headlights you are sadly mistaken my friend, I’ll pull out of the junction when I’m good and ******* ready

[Carlos the Great]

I often flash when travelling along relatively slow movjng traffic when a car trying to cross turning right with its indicator on and a huge tailback behind the car .it’s saying Go ! I’m not going to drive into you .. I know what your doing and I’m going to allow you pass and then the whole lane can start moving again .. it’s just good driving isn’t it ? I get annoyed when people don’t do this and even drive up to the bumper of the car in front of thrm
Leaving me no room to turn ..for me, this type of driver
should be removed from the road ! I’ve often been flashed from the cars behind the car turning right into the flow of traffic as a way of saying cheers we would have been here all day othwrise .. its so annoying when flash amd the driver doesnt move !! I’m London they would be there till it goes dark waiting for no cars coming

[Hipper]

Of course flashing is also done on a motorway as a courtesy to tell a long vehicle that they have passed you. That's probably not in the Highway Code either but it's useful.

[timshorts]

This is to be expected. Ageing posters out of touch with reality.

And yet, without that demographic, your user name would have been frustrated.