Is it illegal to give up your right of way?

jammin_2

As in, car A flashes his lights to tell car B he can pull out in front of him, even though legally it's car A's right of way.

I've heard before that to give up your right of way like this is actually illegal, though I'm sure most of us do it from time to time, depending on the situation, out of courtesy.

Does anyone know where the law stands on this?

vax2002

Misplaced courtesy is a huge factor in many accidents and damned annoying if you are stuck behind some idiot dishing it out with an empty road behind you.
I often find a good 5 second blast on the horn reminds the idiot that they are other people on the road attempting to get somewhere today.

jammin_2

vax2002 wrote: »

Misplaced courtesy is a huge factor in many accidents and damned annoying if you are stuck behind some idiot dishing it out with an empty road behind you.
I often find a good 5 second blast on the horn reminds the idiot that they are other people on the road attempting to get somewhere today.

I quite agree. But is it illegal?

reeac

vax2002 wrote: »

Misplaced courtesy is a huge factor in many accidents and damned annoying if you are stuck behind some idiot dishing it out with an empty road behind you.
I often find a good 5 second blast on the horn reminds the idiot that they are other people on the road attempting to get somewhere today.

If the road behind is empty then there's noone being inconvenienced.

mcfisco

Of course, the person flashing their headlights could be doing it as a way of making sure you know they're there, rather than giving up the right of way

You turn, they run into you - your fault [probably]

TonyMMM

No it's not illegal - but if it then was a factor in causing an accident, it could be something that could be part of the evidence of some other offence (e.g. careless driving)

RikM

If I remember rightly, the illegality there is in flashing the lights...
The horn/flashing lights (after dark) are for reminding other road users of your presence.

What makes using the lights that way particularly dangerous, is that there is no generally accepted rule. Go over to France for example and a similar flash would not mean "you go first" - it would mean "I'm going first".

Gloomendoom

I can't imagine why anyone would think it could be illegal. It is, after all, a right and not an obligation or duty.

Strider590

reeac wrote: »

If the road behind is empty then there's noone being inconvenienced.

There's also no need to stop......

I was behind a somewhat elderly fellow, who was being very kind and stopping at every junction to let cars out on a 40mph road.
It confuses people too, they see the guy slowing down, but they're hesitant to move because he's not turning!!!

The first time you panic brake because he's not indicated and suddenly stopped for no reason.
The second time you think "this old fool must be drunk/lost".
The third time, you realise what's going on and the red mist starts to acculate overhead.
The forth time, you lean on the horn.
The fifth time, you think "right if he does this again, im overtaking".
The sixth time, he finally turns!!

I'd hate to see him on a motorway!


Giving way when there's nothing behind you, is like scoring a goal when the match has finished. It's also a waste of fuel (for those who care).

shaun_from_Africa

reeac wrote: »

If the road behind is empty then there's noone being inconvenienced.

But if the road behind you is empty, what's the point in giving way to another vehicle?
By doing this you may actually increase the time it takes them to join the road that you are on.

If you are doing 30 or 40 mph, you will be past the junction in a few seconds and the waiting vehicle will be able to join the road quickly and safely.
If you slow down or stop to allow the other car on to the road, they should wait until they are 100% sure that you are giving up your right of way before they proceed, something which would probably take longer than if you'd not slowed/stopped in the first place.

maninthestreet

The OP only asked if it was illegal (i.e an offence) to cede their right of way (or, more correctly, their priority). The answer to this is most certainly 'NO'.