[epinionator89]

I've noticed that every once in a while cars going the opposite way will flash their lights at me. Then, a mile or so ahead, a police officer will be checking speeds on the side of the road. I've known about this technique for a while now, by the way.

Since police officers and driver's ed. teachers frown upon this practice, there's obviously no "official" way of learning what it is and what it means. It seems all drivers know about it, and the only way to actually "get it" is to put 2 + 2 together.

So here's my question: Who decided that there should be a way to tell other fellow motorists that a police officer is down the road?

 

[ModifierMR]

My freind gets flashed all the time and we dont know why...and there is no cops. We went down a dark road the other night, and this subarban holds down its horn with its hi's on.....makes no sense but yet it happens often.

 

[Razo-E]

it means turn on your headights..!

 

[REN69]

:lol: noobs.

 

[Razo-E]

you mean tallywackers..:lol:

 

[94_Rolla_Guy]

from my expirience its one of three things

1. Cops / speed trap ahead
2. Headlights to bright / turn off the hi beams
3. Turn on your headlights

 

[Dave's]

Headlight flashing for police warning has been around for many many years. I do it but keep in mind it's illegal to warn of police. Of course, it can mean they think you have your brights on at night and/or your driving lights are blinding them (especially when they add the horn), you need to turn on your lights, or you're in their lane, slow down, etc. Usually if it's one or two quick flashes then I assume it's police or there's a problem ahead. Truckers started a thing years ago of two quick flashes as a signal that you've passed them far enough to pull back in. It was mostly for each other as it's hard to judge exactly where the end of the trailer is especially at night. But there are some who do it for everyone.

 

[Nx2k]

from my expirience its one of three things

1. Cops / speed trap ahead
2. Headlights to bright / turn off the hi beams
3. Turn on your headlights

4. at an intersection, telling you to go first

or 5. trying to take a peek inside your car while you're doing it

 

[matrix37495]

Truckers started a thing years ago of two quick flashes as a signal that you've passed them far enough to pull back in. It was mostly for each other as it's hard to judge exactly where the end of the trailer is especially at night. But there are some who do it for everyone.

Acually, truck drivers really dont like it when someone flashes brights at them, it blinds you for a seconds, and i dont think you want a blind driver in control of an 80k lb rig. Truckers signal to pull back in is they turn off their headlights few a second or two then back on. The thank you is usually tapping the brakes or flashing the running lights on the trailer.

As for warning about police, no one does it better than truckers. I have a CB in my car and you hear about police, other emergency vehicles, wrecks, and anything else they might find.

 

[CDub LXi]

When someone has their brights on coming at me on a two-lane road... I just flip my highs on and keep them on until they turn theirs off.

When someone in traffic at night is trying to pass me and wants to get back in my lane, I flip my headlights off for a second and then back on to signal, "I'm giving you room to get back over".

 

[Flashmn]

Might also mean turn off your foglights, those damn idiots driving with them in clear weather are annoying, they dont realize those really do glare on oncoming drivers.

 

[greylock]

Same thing in Japan. Light flash during the day means cops ahead. At night, could be several things.

 

[Fresco Bob]

My freind gets flashed all the time and we dont know why...and there is no cops. We went down a dark road the other night, and this subarban holds down its horn with its hi's on.....makes no sense but yet it happens often.

if your lights were on, maybe they were aimed to high so the suburban thought you had your highbeams on

 

[BullMarket]

Yep, I usually roll around with my parking lights on so others behind can't tell when I flash oncoming cars (I've passed parked cops) and had one behind and still warned folks. :lol:

But I usually give it a quick 2 flips for cops/hazards (slow down folks) and a long single flip for 'turn down your brights/turn on your lights'.

Quick flips for four way stops means go ahead first.

BULLMKT

 

[Peter]

i am very observite....my uncle trucks and there are alot of diff ones...

1)if a truck is passing you flash him that he had enough room to change lanes.
2) Speed trap ahead
3) animals crossing
4)black ice
5)turn off ur highs
6) if u cut pff a trucker they will drive on highs.....my uncle dose this and i have seen this before

those are some of the reason truckers pass some might apply to cars.

 

[Wiseco]

I flash a few times to warn for any danger ahead. Cops, ice, animals, someone blocking the way, etc. It usually wakes up the other driver and warns him there is something wrong.

I love getting flashed. Its teamwork. Help others, even if you don't know them.

And 4 way flash. heh. It means I win, you lose.

 

[jhbhatia]

from my expirience its one of three things

1. Cops / speed trap ahead
2. Headlights to bright / turn off the hi beams
3. Turn on your headlights

^^ what he said...anything more is debatable!

 

[xpeed]

It could also be a gesture to move out of the way or let the motorist change lanes into yours. :dunno:

 

[McTimson]

I flash my brights when there's a cop around, if I just passed a bunch of deer, or if the oncoming car has their brights on.

And if you're constantly getting flashed by another car, and they're honking at you, then your brights are probably on, or your headlights are aimed right at them or something...

 

[CamNub]

I flash a few times to warn for any danger ahead. Cops, ice, animals, someone blocking the way, etc. It usually wakes up the other driver and warns him there is something wrong.

I love getting flashed. Its teamwork. Help others, even if you don't know them.

And 4 way flash. heh. It means I win, you lose.

Damn kid, I wish I could get flashed while i'm in the car........:sosad: :sosad: