Driving Lesson - Flashing Headlights

tomstickland

Flashing of headlights is widely understood to signify a signal for someone else to proceed.
Even if the highway code says otherwise, you'd have to acknowledge its meaning for most people.
So, even if you flash as a warning, you should expect that someone will interpret it as permission to proceed.

Pssst

OP we know what it says in the HW code but we also know what is accepted custom and practice. Anyone flashing their lights as a warning and not as a give way signal is living dangerously IMHO.

Freddie_Snowbits

tomstickland wrote: »

Flashing of headlights is widely understood to signify a signal for someone else to proceed.

Incorrect. I turn right into my estate from a busy road. I do not need you to tell me when it is safe to do so, there may be children playing or another vehicle that prevents me crossing at that time!

Freddie_Snowbits

Pssst wrote: »

OP we know what it says in the HW code but we also know what is accepted custom and practice. Anyone flashing their lights as a warning and not as a give way signal is living dangerously IMHO.

30 years of driving, No Points
30 years of driving, No at Fault Accidents

Care to divulge?

bristol_pilot

Flashing of headlights is widely understood to mean almost the opposite of what the Highway Code says its means. Therefore the safest thing is not to do it.

Shambler

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Correct, on a Motorway yes I agree, but the rule does not say it is valid

On A roads too, I see this all of the time on the A14 in Suffolk.


I agree with Viper that often flashing OK causes more problems, often I just want that car that has the right of way to move on so I can turn etc.

Flashing at me means I have to quickly reasses the whole situation and by that time the flasher may have changed his mind when i decide to turn.

Really you should only flash a pedestrian if they step out in front of you, up to that point you have to assume they know that you are there, you have no reason to assume that they haven't seen you until they step out and flashing before that may make them think it is OK to cross.

Freddie_Snowbits

Shambler wrote: »

On A roads too, I see this all of the time on the A14 in Suffolk.

On dual Carraigeways then!

CHR15

Shambler wrote: »

I wonder in what circumstances the highway code thinks that they will be used a a warning to other road users of another cars presence.

I would suppose between 11:30pm and 07:00am when you should not use your horn.

Still daft.

Freddie_Snowbits

Viper_7 wrote: »

However - flashing your lights at someone waiting to turn is over use of signalling and would be a failure point anyway.

Not if she was attempting to squeeze through traffic!

Freddie_Snowbits

Gosh, that has got us all excited, I am off to the pub now! (No I am not driving)