ARE YOU A FLASHER?
The flashing headlight signal has evolved into a number of different uses over the years and as a result has seriously de-valued this particular signal to the point of causing the accidents it was designed to prevent.
So, what do drivers generally ‘flash’ their headlights for? Well, listed below are just some of the reasons:
- Letting somebody out of a junction
- Letting somebody into a junction
- Acknowledging somebody in another vehicle – Hello!
- Informing a driver their lights are on (during daylight)
- Informing a driver their lights are off (during darkness)
- Informing a pedestrian to cross a road or a pedestrian crossing
- Let another person know I’m here
- You’ve left your hazard warning lights on!
- Your boots not shut properly!
- You have a flat tyre!
- Your fuel cap is open!
- Get out of my way! - intimidation
Recognise any of those? Yes, we thought you might. Out of all these reasons, did you spot the only legitimate reason for giving the flashing headlamp signal? - to let another person know you are there, or to quote more formally from the Highway Code –
‘Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users. Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgment and proceed carefully’
In the litigious age we live in it may be possible for a driver to be apportioned a percentage of the blame for an accident purely because they flashed their headlights to let somebody out of a junction. The intention is to be helpful but could cause many unnecessary problems
Remember, the flashing headlight signal has only ONE meaning – ‘to let another road user know you are there’
If you are considering flashing your headlights for ANY other reason then think again! Consider who else might think you are signalling to them and what the person you are intending the signal for will think you mean? Confused? So might they – DON’T BE A FLASHER! |
