Using hazard lights to say "Thank You"?

[Moomin]

Recently, I've noticed more and more vehicles thanking me or other cars that give way to them by flashing they back hazard lights or brake lights a couple of times to say "Thanks"

How do they do this? Is this just by pressing the hazard lights button for a couple of seconds - but doesn't this flash the front hazard lights too?
And how does one flash the brake lights?? Is there a special button to flash these in certain vehicles or something?

I'm still going to stick to my old-fashioned method of thanking others using a wave of the hand, but was just intrigued how the lights-flashing thing was done!

Thanks!

[hewhoisnotintheknow]

push the hazzard button and press the brake peddle

is this a wind up?

[custardy]

yes the hazzrds put on all lights
you can acticate the brake lights by lightly pressing the pedal but i wouldnt
sure they arent trning the lights on and off?

[omen666]

Recently, I've noticed more and more vehicles thanking me or other cars that give way to them by flashing they back hazard lights or brake lights a couple of times to say "Thanks"

How do they do this? Is this just by pressing the hazard lights button for a couple of seconds - but doesn't this flash the front hazard lights too?
And how does one flash the brake lights?? Is there a special button to flash these in certain vehicles or something?

I'm still going to stick to my old-fashioned method of thanking others using a wave of the hand, but was just intrigued how the lights-flashing thing was done!

Thanks!
How the hell did you get a licence on the roads when you have no clue about the car and how it works

[1984ReturnsForReal]

How the hell did you get a licence on the roads when you have no clue about the car and how it works



They could of all took the bulbs out of the front indicators to solve any confusion....

;)

[fatbelly]

Recently, I've noticed more and more vehicles thanking me or other cars that give way to them by flashing they back hazard lights or brake lights a couple of times to say "Thanks"

I do hope this doesn't become common practice!

[goldspanners]

i think it is a wind up. usually if someone is activating thier brake lights your likely to be sitting right up thier !!!!!.
maybe they are putting on thier rear fog light to tell you that you have yours on when you dont need to. but i doubt you even know how to switch them on or off if you dont even know how your hazards work.

[Inactive]

No doubt it contravenes a section of the Road Traffic Act, let us wait for some plonker to get nicked for it.

[goldspanners]

I do hope this doesn't become common practice!

the hazards is common courtesy, brake lights are dangerous. if i flash you in or make a gap so you get in and dont flash your hazards to say thanks or wave so i can see it you wont get another offer to get in front of me.

too many drivers dont thank the person thats just let you in.

[Inactive]

the hazards is common courtesy,

It may well be, but I bet it is illegal.;)

[fatbelly]

Hi Goldspanners

If you flash your (head)lights to allow me to move out or something, I'm going to try to flash headlights back.

If you aren't in a position to see my headlights, I'm just going to wave.

If that's OK.

[goldspanners]

If you aren't in a position to see my headlights, I'm just going to wave.



lets hope your not driving a van with no rear windows then. :p

[goldspanners]

It may well be, but I bet it is illegal.;)

more than likely will be. everything is these days, or if it isnt illegal its too expensive.

[prowla]

I wave, rather than flashing my hazards; if I were to flash my hazards then I would press the hazard warning switch, let them flash, and then press it again to stop them.

Flashing your bracke lights is achieved by putting your foot on the brake pedal, which also has the effect of slowing the car down, to which I would have to brake. If anybody flashed their brake lights in front of me, I would show them two fingers!

Whereabouts do you live, OP? I need to stay away from there!

[Debt_Free_Chick]

I can't be bothered to check, sorry - but my recollection is that it does, indeed, go against the highway code to use your hazard lights to say "thank you". I seem to recall that hazards should only be deployed when the vehicle is stationary and never when it's moving.

The point is, that hazards warn other road users that your vehicle is or is causing a hazardous situation. Clearly, that doesn't apply if you're driving normally. (Although some drivers should have their hazard lights on permanently!! ;) )

[roddydogs]

Yes, but it can also mean F.......Off

[mazza111]

Think you are wrong there, you can also use your hazard lights when being towed....

but anyway, still would think it's illegal to flash them when saying ty,a wave of the hand out the window gives the desired effect.

[Debt_Free_Chick]

Think you are wrong there, you can also use your hazard lights when being towed....

Ah yes, of course (I knew I should have checked!!!).

But I think that's the only instance of permitted/lawful use when the vehicle is on the move.

[MaximumImpact]

The most common way to thank is using left indicator, right indicator, left indictor after being flashed in....this is recognised and used by LGV drivers and others.

As for using your hazards on the move....it is recognised by most drivers (and I use the word drivers not ''point and shoot tin box steerers'') that they are used when traffic suddenly slows on a multi lane road to warn of a hazard ahead.....They are never used to 'thank'' anyone and neither is flashing of brake lights....

Flashing of brake lights is what you'll get if you decide that you need desperately to travel up my a**e and cause me annoyance......

[oldagetraveller]

Ah yes, of course (I knew I should have checked!!!).

But I think that's the only instance of permitted/lawful use when the vehicle is on the move.

Plus approaching a hazard, eg. all traffic ahead stopped. May be used to warn drivers to the rear as well as brake lights on and off a few times.

(Already posted above as I was typing!)

You're lucky to get a thanks of any sort these days. I doubt common courtesy is taught to new drivers now? They're too busy peering into the fog through their "designer" sunglasses! Yes, you know who you are.

[Mark Hewitt]

The most common way to thank is using left indicator, right indicator, left indictor after being flashed in....this is recognised and used by LGV drivers and others..

Yes, this is what you see most often, and I do it too. Unlike pressing the hazards button, it can be done without taking your hands off the wheel or searching for a button.

[BillScarab]

I thought it was illegal to use hazard lights when being towed. However as others have said it is common to use them when suddenly slowing on a motorway for example. In fact on some cars they are automatically activated if you have to brake sharply in an emergency.

I've never heard of anyone flaashing their brake lights to say thanks.

This is what the Highway code says about hazards

"Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed."

[MaximumImpact]

The Highway code is not law,it is best practice and/or advice. However the Police could look at offences around ''misuse of lights'' Con and Use regulations etc, dependant on the effect of the use on other drivers.

[Debt_Free_Chick]

The Highway code is not law,

Much of it is - or rather, it confirms the law (various road/traffic acts). The code cites the relevant law, in places.


BillScarab quoted from the HC, re hazard lights, but that confirms what is already in the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_4.htm#(Tiii)27restrictionuselampo therthanthosewhichregulation24refer)

[BillScarab]

Sorry, should have said that bit is one of the bits that is law.

[KK22]

I have never, ever heard of anyone using their brake lights as a thank you! If someone thanked me that way for letting them in front of me, i'd soon be regretting my decision after wondering what the hell they were playing at!!

I have noticed that the majority of drivers use their hazard lights to thank people now. I think it might have started with bus drivers, since you are more likely to see that than them sticking their arm out of their window.

[CrispyUK]

I use the indicator 'waggle' that MaximumImpact described earlier to thank people that have let me in, although have also seen people using a couple of hazard flashes to do the same thing, seems to be common with the bus drivers here in Plymouth.

Only ever seen brake lights flashed in response to my headlight flashing at a BMW who decided to undertake me & cut in front on the M6 - followed up by hand signals (not ones that would be found in the highway code :p)

Of course while we're arguing about the right/wrong ways to thank drivers in accordance with the highway code, have noticed nobody has mentioned that according to the highway code headlights should only be flashed to indicate your presence and not for any purpose - but they're widely used in the UK as a 'giving-way' indication.

Perhaps courtesy lights should be added to cars, couple of green 'go' lights to flash on the front and a matrix board that can flash up 'THANKS' on the rear (along with 'BACK OFF' for those determined to get into your boot ;))

[Mark Hewitt]

The most common use of the headlight flash I see is between HGV drivers. Usually when one HGV is overtaking another the one in the left hand lane will flash their headlights to indicate to the overtaking driver that his trailer is clear and it's safe to pull back to the left.

[Debt_Free_Chick]

The problem with using any of your lights to say "Thank You" is that it's open to misunderstanding.

You "use your lights" and what do other drivers think you mean .....?

Headlight flash - do you mean "look out" or do you mean "OK to pull out, pull in, turn or whatever" ?

Hazard flash - do you mean "look out" or do you mean "thank you"

Brake lights flash - do you mean "I'm stopping" or do you mean "thank you" or "back off"?

It's simply far safer to use the hand to say "thanks" and leave the lights to serve the purpose for which they were originally intended .... IMHO

[Inactive]

It's simply far safer to use the hand to say "thanks" and leave the lights to serve the purpose for which they were originally intended .... IMHO

Agreed, if we all do the correct thing, then there is no confusion.

[niall24]

You're lucky to get a thanks of any sort these days. I doubt common courtesy is taught to new drivers now? They're too busy peering into the fog through their "designer" sunglasses! Yes, you know who you are.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :T

[kevin0410]

Flashing your brake lights is achieved by putting your foot on the brake pedal, which also has the effect of slowing the car down

Actually, you can activate the brake lights without actually braking

[gaz_jones]

Actually, you can activate the brake lights without actually braking

How out of interest? Do you mean by feathering the brake pedal? Technically your still braking just not very hard.

[Dave101t]

id say feathering the brake pedal to say thanks is a stupid idea, no matter how lightly you do it.

you could light up the rear lights by briefly turning on the side lights on and off. this way only the front side lights will illuminate too, as opposed to the headlights, so people in front wont notice (in daylight).

i click the hazard light once to say thanks, only if the guy behind is in a high vehicle so wouldnt see a hand wave through the glass.

[Dave101t]

Originally Posted by oldagetraveller http://images.moneysavingexpert.com/images/forum_images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=19995949#post19995949)

You're lucky to get a thanks of any sort these days. I doubt common courtesy is taught to new drivers now? They're too busy peering into the fog through their "designer" sunglasses! Yes, you know who you are.


i actually find courtesy lacking in the older generation, could be something to do with the 'easy' tests they took as youngsters, but thats for another thread i think!

[goldspanners]

as far as im aware this all started in the olden days long long ago, before we had good headlights, lorry drivers used to flash thier full beam to illuminate more of the road and to let the passing lorry know he was far enough in front to allow him to pull in safely.
this was before lorries had loads of marker lights on them, when its dark and towing a trailer with no marker lights its impossible to see the end of your trailer,so a flash in helped a lot.
the tradition has just carried on, well by some.
i will always use my hazard lights to say thank you, for the simple reason that in both my van and car the indicators will flash a minimum of 3 times so when ive done the "indicator wiggle" to say thank you the last side i indicated will flash 3 times, this could cause more confussion to other road users than 1 flash of the hazards.
as a driver surely you should be able to read the road and tell whether the driver is using his hazards to say thank you or if he is actually slowing down and about to be an actual hazard. other drivers will always see your hazards, they wont always see you waving. it only takes a second for your hazards to flash on and then off again, and most hazard switches are mounted in easy to access positions on the dashboard,so you will hardly be hunting around for the switch.

[Throbbe]

To avoid confusion I generally use a wave BUT waggle the indicators for LGV's as they a) possibly wouldn't see my hand from their higher driving position, and b) recognise the signal for what it is anyway.

My personal favourite signal is when an oncoming car flashes me through a narrow obstruction. "Thank you for letting me through this narrow gap, and to indicate my gratitude I shall carry out this potentially hazardous manouvre with one hand on the wheel while staring straight at you, waving and grinning like an idiot*."





* NB May have been stolen from Rob Newman.

[hewhoisnotintheknow]

i have a ANPR system on board, anyone who i need to thank gets a card in the post no less than 14 days after the event

[Reggie Rebel]

I thought everyone knew that hazard lights allow you to park anywhere you like when activated.

This especially applies to fat women in 4x4's dropping their kids off directly outside the school gates to save them walking the 200 yards from their house

[MaximumImpact]

i have a ANPR system on board, anyone who i need to thank gets a card in the post no less than 14 days after the event



:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[KatP]

The problem with using any of your lights to say "Thank You" is that it's open to misunderstanding.

You "use your lights" and what do other drivers think you mean .....?

Headlight flash - do you mean "look out" or do you mean "OK to pull out, pull in, turn or whatever" ?

Hazard flash - do you mean "look out" or do you mean "thank you"

Brake lights flash - do you mean "I'm stopping" or do you mean "thank you" or "back off"?

It's simply far safer to use the hand to say "thanks" and leave the lights to serve the purpose for which they were originally intended .... IMHO

Exactly!

If someone can't see my wave then tough - you don't drive with the sole purpose of collecting brownie points in the form of thanks from other road users. You should drive courteously whether you get thanks or not.

Accidents have been caused by misinterpretation of informal light signals. If I flash near a junction am I letting you out, warning you I'm here, signalling to a pedestrian or another road user??? If you pull out and I hit you whose fault is it???? YOURS!

My personal peeve is the people who take offence when they flash me out and I decide that I'd actually like to wait and make sure the way is clear myself. Flashing someone out is highly dangerous.

[Obukit]

Accidents have been caused by misinterpretation of informal light signals. If I flash near a junction am I letting you out, warning you I'm here, signalling to a pedestrian or another road user??? If you pull out and I hit you whose fault is it???? YOURS!
I remember once seeing one of those "Police, Camera, Action" programmes where the police put on their blues and twos just before a junction, which also made their headlights flash. Some dippy person in a Polo ignored the blue lights and two tons of Volvo accelerating towards them and took it to mean "Turn now"... very almost caused a nasty accident!

[goldspanners]

Exactly!

If someone can't see my wave then tough - you don't drive with the sole purpose of collecting brownie points in the form of thanks from other road users. You should drive courteously whether you get thanks or not.

Accidents have been caused by misinterpretation of informal light signals. If I flash near a junction am I letting you out, warning you I'm here, signalling to a pedestrian or another road user??? If you pull out and I hit you whose fault is it???? YOURS!

My personal peeve is the people who take offence when they flash me out and I decide that I'd actually like to wait and make sure the way is clear myself. Flashing someone out is highly dangerous.

if i cant see you waving then next time i see you i simply wont let you out or in or wherever you want to go.

the only time accidents have been caused due to someone flashing thier lights or hazards is when some plonker has been unable to put that into context and look at the whole situation going on around them and not just thier personal agenda.

[CheesedOff]

personally i'd rather someone flashed there lights to let me out of a junction, or wiggled the indicators to say thanks since trying to see some hand gesture inside a car/van with tinted windows, or sun in your eyes is near impossible.

I get less and less courteous as each day goes by though since the only people who can tell the difference between 'I'm letting you across' and 'wtf kinda maneuver was that, you blind moron' are taxi drivers, vans and bus drivers.

Even on the bike people don't understand when i stick my hand up and wave them across. :rolleyes:

[Itsgottabedone]

On a slightly different note, does anyone else notice how once you've kindly let another driver join the main road from a side road it's really common to see that driver do the same thing for someone else further down the road? That makes me smile - sort of Car Karma don't you think?

And I wish there was a signal that was universally recognised to say "I'm sorry!" on the (very, very rare) occasions when we do something daft. Any ideas?

[Inactive]

the only time accidents have been caused due to someone flashing thier lights or hazards is when some plonker has been unable to put that into context and look at the whole situation going on around them and not just thier personal agenda.


That " plonker " would not get confused if we all followed the correct and legal rules.

The question that people need to ask themselves is; did you, or would you have done this on your driving test, if the answer is no, then it is wrong.

[goldspanners]

That " plonker " would not get confused if we all followed the correct and legal rules.



i very much doubt this, it takes very little to confuse some folk.

[dieselhead]

I tend to give a wave in daylight hours but at night and usually when I lorry has indicated its safe to pass I thank them with a flash of the hazards, it seems to have become the 'thanks message' around here, I like it personally shows a certain amount of curtacy on the roads.

People with their fog lights on though grrr!

[HoofeHearted]

I have read this thread and have smiled, laughed and gritted my teeth!

Another 'thing' about lights that really annoys me (and I don't know what it says in the Highway Code about it) is - when the car in front of you stops at the traffic lights, or in a long queue and the driver insists on keeping their foot on the brake pedal until it it time to move forward again. Not too bad during the day, but when it's dusk/dark, I hate having high-intensity lights in my face.:mad:

Is it just me?:confused:

[peter000]

According to the Highway Code, lights should only be flashed to warn others of your presence.

Hazard lights should only be used to warn others of a hazard ahead or for when you're parked in a potentially dangerous/obstructive position. That's why they're called 'hazard' lights and not 'courtesy' lights.:rolleyes:

[jackieb]

I've never heard of using the hazard flashers to thank anyone. I just wave.

I also don't like it when tractors tell you to pass. I like to pass when I can see the road ahead for myself. I don't like putting my life in the hands of strangers, however good their intentions are.

I also hate it when people flash when they're coming in the opposite direction. I always wonder if something's up with my car, but it's usually to warn me the police are lying in wait up a side road. Which I don't know until I actually see the police, and if I don't see them I still wonder if something is wrong with my car. It's probably just a case of mistaken identity on their part!

[splishsplash]

For as long as I've been driving (28 years), I've always had the same 'conversation' on the roads with lights...
left indicator means 'overtake now, it's safe',
one flash of the hazards after overtaking says 'thank you',
one flash of the headlights says 'your welcome'.
It seems to be the recognized 'chat' in my neck of the woods.

More than one quick flash of the hazards indicates an actual hazard, or repeated flashing by oncoming cars means the same thing.

I've never seen brake lights used to thank anyone, only to say 'back off, you're too close'.

[goldspanners]

For as long as I've been driving (28 years), I've always had the same 'conversation' on the roads with lights...
left indicator means 'overtake now, it's safe',
one flash of the hazards after overtaking says 'thank you',
one flash of the headlights says 'your welcome'.
It seems to be the recognized 'chat' in my neck of the woods.

More than one quick flash of the hazards indicates an actual hazard, or repeated flashing by oncoming cars means the same thing.

I've never seen brake lights used to thank anyone, only to say 'back off, you're too close'.

i dont think this is just generalised to your area, this is what they mean to real drivers all over the country. :T

[goldspanners]

I've never heard of using the hazard flashers to thank anyone. I just wave.

I also don't like it when tractors tell you to pass. I like to pass when I can see the road ahead for myself. I don't like putting my life in the hands of strangers, however good their intentions are.

I also hate it when people flash when they're coming in the opposite direction. I always wonder if something's up with my car, but it's usually to warn me the police are lying in wait up a side road. Which I don't know until I actually see the police, and if I don't see them I still wonder if something is wrong with my car. It's probably just a case of mistaken identity on their part!

the tractor isnt telling you to pass, he is letting you know that he is aware that you are sitting right on his a**e and is letting you know the road ahead is clear to pass him if you do so wish. is he turning round with a big sign saying "pass me now or else"?

the practice of flashing to warn of the police or camera van ahead is something few people do these days and it saddens me,i always flash rapidly to all oncoming vehicles when the police are hidding up ahead of them.
how can someone travelling towards you at speed see if there is something drastically wrong with your car?

get some common sense.

[Thunderbird]

left indicator means 'overtake now, it's safe',


I am yet to see somebody do this these days! This is the way I learnt and knew driving and it makes life so much easier on those country lanes, where starting overtaking 100 yards earlier makes hell alot of difference!

Mind you, when I want to over take on an A or B road, it will be because of those who are doing 45 mph (50 if you are lucky) on a 60 speed limit roads! So no hope then to get them to signal left when it is safe to overtake!

[jackieb]

the tractor isnt telling you to pass, he is letting you know that he is aware that you are sitting right on his a**e and is letting you know the road ahead is clear to pass him if you do so wish. is he turning round with a big sign saying "pass me now or else"?

the practice of flashing to warn of the police or camera van ahead is something few people do these days and it saddens me,i always flash rapidly to all oncoming vehicles when the police are hidding up ahead of them.
how can someone travelling towards you at speed see if there is something drastically wrong with your car?

get some common sense.

I never sit up anyone's a**s - tractor or not.

And as for flashing me, I may have a bulb fused or something. I don't know, do I? I'm not a mind reader.

Get some manners.

[goldspanners]

I never sit up anyone's a**s - tractor or not.

And as for flashing me, I may have a bulb fused or something. I don't know, do I? I'm not a mind reader.

Get some manners.

my msnners are fine, a bit blunt, but fine.

anyway,if a bulb has gone you should be able to tell if its dark, if its not then why have yor lights on?

[Nick_C]

You certainly are not taught courtesy when learning to drive these days. I was told off for stopping for people standing in the middle of the road (a motor bike could come up on your left and hit them as they pass in front of you - only stop if they step in front of you) and told not to flash people to come on as it could be misinterpreted and they should make their own decision about when its safe to go through.

Note that if driving in France, flashing the headlights means "keep out of the way, I'm coming through". How do you known that the considerate driver coming towards you isn't a Frenchman in a rented car?

[bratfud lad]

Note that if driving in France, flashing the headlights means "keep out of the way, I'm coming through". How do you known that the considerate driver coming towards you isn't a Frenchman in a rented car?

its like the people here who drive around during the day with their foglamps on..................get out of my way I'm coming through whether you like it on not!

[Pssst]

What I'd like people to do is stick to the highway code as closely as possible. Nowhere is this more important that at junctions. So many people make up their own rules,dont understand the rules or else give way un-necessarily. All of his causes confusion,uncertainty and leads to accidents. Do not give way if someone else is obliged to give way to you unless it helps the flow of traffic or avoids an accident.

[bryanb]

Safest way is to interpret any signal of any type given by another driver as meaning "I am here"

[LittleMissAspie]

i always flash rapidly to all oncoming vehicles when the police are hidding up ahead of them.
Erm, why? Then again I'm not a real driver because I've never heard of anyone indicating left to say please overtake, nor flashing their headlamps to say thank you, nor do I keep score of who has thanked me when I let people out :rolleyes:

[Inactive]

Erm, why? Then again I'm not a real driver because I've never heard of anyone indicating left to say please overtake, nor flashing their headlamps to say thank you, nor do I keep score of who has thanked me when I let people out :rolleyes:

Nor me, I just use my lights in accordance with the Highway Code, that way I cannot be accused of anything, should things go wrong.

[mcjordi]

one flash of the hazards after overtaking says 'thank you',
one flash of the headlights says 'your welcome'.
It seems to be the recognized 'chat' in my neck of the woods.

More than one quick flash of the hazards indicates an actual hazard, or repeated flashing by oncoming cars means the same thing.

I've never seen brake lights used to thank anyone, only to say 'back off, you're too close'.

thats what i do too

if they say thanks as a wave/flash of lights etc etc then i will let em out again if not then they can !!!!!! off

[scrounger]

This thread has surely got to be a wind-up?. I was in absolute stitches when I read the opening paragraph, he/she shouldnt be on the road!.

[HoratioCaine]

Same here - from when I started to learn and from watching my parents I do the same thing.

If someone wants out - I will let them out. If they don't thank me - I don't let them out again.

If someone lets me out/in - I thank them. I always do, no matter what.

I find its just politeness to do so, they have been kind to you - so you can atleast thank them.

I dont use the brake lights though. Hazards/Headlights for me everytime.

~HC

[goldspanners]

Erm, why? Then again I'm not a real driver because I've never heard of anyone indicating left to say please overtake, nor flashing their headlamps to say thank you, nor do I keep score of who has thanked me when I let people out :rolleyes:

thats right your not. especially if youve never heard of any of this,or even seen it, you must drive around with blinkers on. :rolleyes:

[LittleVoice]

If someone wants out - I will let them out. If they don't thank me - I don't let them out again.

So do you let so few people into the traffic that you can recognise them as you approach another junction weeks later? I've got better things to do with my memory cells.

[AHAR]

its like the people here who drive around during the day with their foglamps on..................get out of my way I'm coming through whether you like it on not!

They're just simple people who like bright lights. I give them a view of my main-beams as a little treat.

[crystal9]

For as long as I've been driving (28 years), I've always had the same 'conversation' on the roads with lights...
left indicator means 'overtake now, it's safe',
one flash of the hazards after overtaking says 'thank you',
one flash of the headlights says 'your welcome'.
It seems to be the recognized 'chat' in my neck of the woods.

More than one quick flash of the hazards indicates an actual hazard, or repeated flashing by oncoming cars means the same thing.

I've never seen brake lights used to thank anyone, only to say 'back off, you're too close'.

same here at night i flash headlights when being let thru and quick flash of hazard lights when being let out in front of someone.
never heard of brake lights being used only if driver behind is up my ar*e.

this post has made me giggle :rotfl:

[scbk]

2/3 flashes of the headlights followed by a "thumbs down" to indicate police patrol/speed camera van ahead
2/3 flashes of the headlights followed by a "pat down" to indicate hazzard in road ahead

flash of the rear fog lights it to try and remind the person behind that they have left full beam on :rolleyes:
quick flash of the left indicator, to indicate to the person behind it looks safe to overtake

To say "thanks" either left right left indicator or wave out the window

I try and let people in/out and junctions if there's a bit of traffic about, no point in stopping if the person could pull in behind you.
It is nice to have someone say "thanks" when you let them out/turn in front of you, but not too fussed if they don't

[sandford6016]

I'll always flash the reversing lights to say thanks for letting me overtake you. It produces extremely high wear and tear on the engine and gear box, but gets the message across!!!! ;-)

What a wind up!

[ilnf]

Have to agree this must be a wind up.

Favourite is flashing headlights to those who dont realise to turn their lights on at night - in built up areas with streetlights obviously. Unbelievable how many people dont realise!

[Sirbendy]

Busses do it to me (hazards) if I let them go. A lot of cars do too.

[MrsE]

the tractor isnt telling you to pass, he is letting you know that he is aware that you are sitting right on his a**e and is letting you know the road ahead is clear to pass him if you do so wish. is he turning round with a big sign saying "pass me now or else"?

the practice of flashing to warn of the police or camera van ahead is something few people do these days and it saddens me,i always flash rapidly to all oncoming vehicles when the police are hidding up ahead of them.
how can someone travelling towards you at speed see if there is something drastically wrong with your car?

get some common sense.

Also used in the country lanes to alert other drivers that there are horses (or similar) just around the next bend too.

[Bowdyjan18]

You're lucky to get a thanks of any sort these days. I doubt common courtesy is taught to new drivers now? They're too busy peering into the fog through their "designer" sunglasses! Yes, you know who you are.


Mostly old people imo

[kittiej]

Lol Sandford :rotfl:

[before hollywood]

it started by buses and other large vehicles where drivers cannot visibly wave to say thank you

[oh_no]

I am a white van driver,when I want to veer in front of someone I give them a milliseconds warning with my indicator before slewing across in front of them.

Job done.

I then hit my hazard button to say thanks so they don't fill me in at the next set of lights.:rotfl: