Flashing Headlamps: Doing as you're told?

Doing as you're told?

Perhaps the most obvious problem is that many drivers interpret flashing headlamps as an instruction.

This is illustrated by the demise of my old Hillman .

The emerging driver simply drove out of the side turning when instructed without fully considering the potential danger - if I'd been on a motorcycle I would probably have been killed.

Had the 'flashing' driver given way without a flash, my guess is that the emerging driver would have exercised more caution.

Test it ...

If you are a flasher , you can test my 'more caution' theory for yourself.

When giving way, simply slow down or stop without flashing. You will probably notice that the other driver takes a bit longer to make his decision and has a good look around before committing him/herself. You might also find that some drivers just sit there and are reluctant to move without your 'permission'.

In the case of my smash there was no confusion about who was being flashed at or what the flash meant, however this is not always the case.

I recall a situation when I was assessing an 'advanced' driver who flashed to give way to a van emerging from the right. And then nearly put me through the windscreen as he braked hard to avoid the 'idiot' who emerged from the left slightly further ahead. The 'idiot' had thought (quite reasonably) that the flash was for her!

Another situation I witnessed involved a lucky escape for a pedestrian.

A driver who was obeying the 'Give way to busses' rule flashed his lights to a bus driver, whereupon a pedestrian who was standing behind the bus ran across the road and into the path of an approaching truck.

The pedestrian didn't see the truck because she was busy waving to say thank you to the flasher!

While on the 'thank you' theme, don't be surprised if when flashing someone to say thank you, another driver suddenly pulls in front of you or a pedestrian dashes out - the signal could easily be misinterpreted by someone for whom it was not intended.


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