Driving Lesson - Flashing Headlights

RadoJo

If she was still 20 yards from the junction, then why did you think she was going to pull out?

jenny2009

When my daughter was learning to drive she was sitting in the main road waiting to turn right. A car was coming towards her and the driver stopped before the junction and flashed his headlights indicating that my daughter should turn right in front of him. My daughter was going to move but could not because the instructer put his foot on the brake and told her that she should not go as the oncoming driver could become impatient if she was not quick enough and decide to move off.

So my daughter said "should I wave him on" and the instructor said "are you a policeman?" "no" she said, "why?" "because only a policeman can direct traffic" he said.

So they sat there until the other car moved off. The driver stopped opposite my daughter and called her a stupid cow and other things and that she should learn to drive.

She was in a learner car with L plates and dual controls and learn to drive all over it.

Even after 20 years of driving she will never drive in front of a car when they flash their headlights at her. She just sits there.

Jen

janninew

When i was on my driving test i had a driving flash to let me out of a junction onto a busy road. I knew i shouldn't pull out so i sat there and waited, and the driver kept flashing me and waiting! I know he was only being helpful but it was really stressful! In the end the examiner waved at the other driver and told me to pull out into the road! I was really worried that i had failed my test, but what else could i do? Anyway i got back to the test centre and i'd passed!! I think if the examiner hadn't told me to pull out we would still be sat their now!! I know people think they are being helpful, but if i see a learner driver (especially one of their test) i wouldn't flash my lights or let them go!

Freddie_Snowbits

pendulum wrote: »

Yeah well she did do after you flashed her out you pillock...

Add to the debate, please do not debase it.

before_hollywood wrote: »

thread title says she was on a driving lesson?

surely she was doing what her instructor says?

I never said she was on a driving lesson

RadoJo wrote: »

If she was still 20 yards from the junction, then why did you think she was going to pull out?

The car's body language

sagalout1954 wrote: »

You misinterpreted her 'shaking fist', that (along with the 2 fingered salute) means oops, sorry!

The reason I posted in the first place was her reaction. A polite hands up or ok sign would mean a lot more, than the nature of her response.

Blackpool_Saver

I flash to let someone go but also make eye contact and gesture with my hand that they can proceed.

Freddie_Snowbits

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

I flash to let someone go but also make eye contact and gesture with my hand that they can proceed.

I always put my hand up to other drivers, especially if they let me out on the motorway. I nearly always get a response if they move out and overtake me at the same time. Better to be clear with your intentions if you wish people to move out or pedestrians to cross, a hand gesture to do so is far more positive. And you nearly always ge a wave or thank you back.

Pass it on

blindmouse

Years ago I collided with a car that was parked on left side of the road facing the on coming traffic. She pulled across my lane and we collided...... She wrote that I had flashed her to pull out (not true as I didn't get the chance to do anything) She lost the claim.

mpython

The lights on my ambulance flash to warn others of our presence.

When driing my car I've learned that people use their lights for all sorts of purposes. Flashing your lights can mean anything depending on the circumstances.

If one car is stationary and the other trying to join the line of traffic, a flash can be interpreted as OK to join,.

If one car is trying to cross a line of stationary traffic then flashing repeatedly can mean "don't move".

On dual carriageways a lorry will flash another to say its OK to pull in (so defining its presence). and then the overtaking lorry will alternate its indicators or put on warning hazards to apparantly say thank you.

Vehicles coming from the other direction may flash to warn you of an oncoming hazard (e.g. tractor) or speed trap.

Circumstances are everything.

Did the OP flash once, or repeatedly?

Freddie_Snowbits

mpython wrote: »

Did the OP flash once, or repeatedly?

I'll get a name for myself. I suppose I flashed repeatedly.

mpython

To me, that would be a "warning" rather than "OK to proceed"