Flashing Headlights – and why not to do it
You will often see drivers flashing headlights at each other. But what does the flashing of headlights actually mean?
Between the hours of 11:30 pm and 7 am, it’s against the law to sound your horn in a built-up area. So how do you warn someone? You flash your headlights instead!
However, many drivers flash their headlights as a signal to others to go ahead; usually when they’re giving up priority. But that was never its intended purpose.
Think about this situation; someone flashes their headlights to allow an oncoming driver to turn right across their path into a side road. The problem is, that another driver is waiting to emerge from that same junction. So, who is the signal for? And what if they both act upon it and move at the same time?
This is the potential danger of headlight flashing. Too many drivers do this without showing proper awareness of their surroundings. They should be asking:
- Is anyone about to come past me?
- Could there be cyclists hidden from view?
- Is the other driver ready to turn
- More importantly, is it safe for them to do so?
The Cause of Accidents
Many years ago, a driver emerged from a road on my left and drove straight into the side of my car. She then got out of her own car and screamed at me “Didn’t you see that driver flash me out?” Who was to blame in this situation? Was it the driver who pulled out of the junction without looking properly; or the driver who flashed their lights?
The short answer is both of them. The main responsibility is on the emerging driver to take effective observation. But anyone who flashes their lights at another road user, must also shoulder some of the blame.
What if you flashed your lights at a waiting pedestrian who then stepped into the path of another car?
You can see that the flashing of headlights in the wrong situation can, and does cause accidents. It’s simpler and safer to just not do it. If you want to leave a gap for someone to turn when appropriate, by all means do so. But first make sure that it’s safe, and then let them make their own decision. They don’t need a signal from you.
What if someone flashes their lights at you? Don’t assume that it’s safe or correct to proceed.
There may be situations where the other driver is genuinely giving way to you. Take the opportunity to go if it’s safe, but always look properly. Take responsibility and make your own decision.
You also need to be aware that many cars now have daytime running lights. And these can sometimes appear to flash when the vehicle goes over a bump, so be very careful!