Do you "flash" to warn of police patrol ahead? Speeding content and rant.

[barryh]

In the UK it's technically illegal to warn other drivers of a speed trap as it's deemed to be “willfull obstruction of a constable in the execution of his/her duty.” But I take the point made earlier that it would be difficult to prove.

Do I do it, yes because for that particular situation it's increasing safety. Drivers will tend to brake when they see a speed trap and that's potentially dangerous if following vehicles are coming up behind too fast. Better that they are warned to slow down.

 

[mk378]

flashing would be to indicate an intent to overtake a slower vehicle ahead

Don't do that in the US it is likely to cause road rage. When you want to pass someone turn on your blinker and go around. The car being passed should respond by moving to the right edge of their lane and slowing down some. There's only one semi-official interpretation of flashing headlights at someone and that is to say "You may cut in front of me."

 

[Pew]

That said, I'm with Propflux1. I always get a kick out of the hypocrisy of someone who decides that for themselves, they are ok with, lets say 8 mph over. But then they get uptight with the driver who wants to pass them at 11 over, and think that person is going too fast, so they decide to be the self proclaimed "hall monitor", and won't move over to the outside lane and let the faster car pass. How did you get to be the self proclaimed expert at exactly how much over the speed limit is acceptable, and what is not?

I'd say left lane hoggers is generally frowned upon. Most of their reasons I've heard is because they're going over the speed limit. Speed up, pass, and get back in the right lane.

Found the video. His flashing to warn motorists got him pulled. About 30 seconds in he starts the flashing, there is minimal filler before the results of said flashing. (Florida/Duval County/JSO)

Jeff Grey/Cop block/PINAC guy is super annoying. He goes out and gets into confrontation with police/ambulances/fire fighters on purpose for views. Although I understand the basis of this, flashing brights from the right lane in the middle of medium density traffic for the purpose of telling oncoming highway traffic about a speed trap during daytime is non-sensical if done only to prove a point.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Correction...
I only flash when wearing my yellow raincoat and rubber galoshes.

So YOU'RE the Gorton's fisherman on the bags and boxes........finally, I know.

 

[UG_Passat]

Back in NJ it's a common thing to do.

Now, I just report it on Apple Maps or Waze.

 

[Hall]

When you want to pass someone turn on your blinker and go around.

If you're on a divided highway, i.e. an interstate, with multiple lanes, and someone is in the same lane (typically left-hand lanes) but not going as fast as you, flashing brights used to be a common signal for "I'm coming up behind you fast so could you move over please?" Many people still recognize it and follow it. Many don't though. If I do it, I flash my lights when I'm plenty of distance behind, not tailgating them (I don't tailgate, before someone starts making assumptions).

 

[Ronsant]

I have to repo the 'like' a sneezing spree caused it

Speeding categorically and unequivocally IS aggressive driving.

What about exceeding the posted limit on a limited access highway on a bright sunny day in very light traffic. Driving in the leftmost lane in a safe, well maintained car. How is that “aggressive”?

 

[andrew_j]

I will flash for deer, but not cops.

I flashed for pigs ahead…..

Seriously there were a few eating on edge of road loose.

 

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

Speeding isn't the real problem on the roads today. HIGH SPEED, weaving, running from the cops, yes.

These are the real problems today-

1. People going SLOW, especially in the left lanes. People throttling / pacing traffic because "they drive the speed limit". People who need to be tested annually, in real-life situations that are deficient in driving skills.

2. Bright lights. I mean the A**h***es who WILL NOT TURN THEM OFF. I have literally flashed my high beams at someone to no avail, multiple times. No response.

3. No lights. This is 99.99% the automakers' fault. They have idiot-proofed the car, but they missed the part that an idiot is driving. They need to have a sensor to turn ALL dash/display lights OFF at a certain light level. Or turn Apple Car Play off.

4. Too bright of low-beam lights on newer cars. This is out of control. That the F250/350's with 4-6 "low-beam" lights on the front.

5. Of course, distracted driving, playing with the phone, etc.

6. Smoking weed while driving. This is a huge issue. You don't care? Wait til one injures your loved one...

7. People pulling out in front of you. I mean basically running a red light/stop sign and turning right.

 

[Ronsant]

Speeding isn't the real problem on the roads today. HIGH SPEED, weaving, running from the cops, yes.

These are the real problems today-

1. People going SLOW, especially in the left lanes. People throttling / pacing traffic because "they drive the speed limit". People who need to be tested annually, in real-life situations that are deficient in driving skills.

2. Bright lights. I mean the A**h***es who WILL NOT TURN THEM OFF. I have literally flashed my high beams at someone to no avail, multiple times. No response.

3. No lights. This is 99.99% the automakers' fault. They have idiot-proofed the car, but they missed the part that an idiot is driving. They need to have a sensor to turn ALL dash/display lights OFF at a certain light level. Or turn Apple Car Play off.

4. Too bright of low-beam lights on newer cars. This is out of control. That the F250/350's with 4-6 "low-beam" lights on the front.

5. Of course, distracted driving, playing with the phone, etc.

6. Smoking weed while driving. This is a huge issue. You don't care? Wait til one injures your loved one...

7. People pulling out in front of you. I mean basically running a red light/stop sign and turning right.

Add to this list drivers speeding and weaving in and out of cars to maintain said speed.
also similar actions by motorcycle riders with very loud exhausts.
Speeding pales in comparison to lack of lane discipline, use of directional signals, and the ability to smoothly merge into highway traffic.

 

[vavavroom]

Correction...
I only flash when wearing my yellow raincoat and rubber galoshes.

If you see a guy driving topless, c'est moi.

 

[Soft Cars]

Slightly off topic, but what I do is swerve side to side like a NASCAR driver warming up his tires during the caution flag.

The message I'm trying to convey? Get off my tail! I find it very effective.

 

[TiGeo]

I do it better, I tap the button in Waze to show folks where the cops are. I live in one of the few no-radar states. I used to flash my highs to warn of speed traps before technology.

 

[Hyundai Respecter]

I not sure how Waze is going to help someone when they’re 1/2 mile away from the road pirate (as someone described them as, I like that.) And the pirate never stays in one spot for long. I think Waze is better for construction and traffic jams than it is for warning about speed traps. Also not everyone uses Waze. I don’t, I keep my phone in the cup holder while driving. A quick flick of the high beams is much more effective.

 

[TiGeo]

I not sure how Waze is going to help someone when they’re 1/2 mile away from the road pirate (as someone described them as, I like that.) And the pirate never stays in one spot for long. I think Waze is better for construction and traffic jams than it is for cops trying to get their quotas in.

Seems to work well for me but sure, it has it's limits.

 

[53' Stude]

I find that discussion very interesting. Is it protected free speech or helping people break the law. I'm firmly in the free speech camp.

It’s illegal in PA. I saw someone do this last time headed out to brothers. 4 miles down road PA state trooper had the motorist pulled over and gave him nice fine/citation

 

[eljefino]

I think courts have recently ruled it is free speech. No difference in flashing lights than being at a gas station and telling somebody that there is a s trap down the road.

I always flash my lights at truckers about this. I hate to see people making a living on the road get tagged for money. Just me.

I'm also... subjective about who I flash my brights for. I look out for working stiffs.

 

[eljefino]

If you're on a divided highway, i.e. an interstate, with multiple lanes, and someone is in the same lane (typically left-hand lanes) but not going as fast as you, flashing brights used to be a common signal for "I'm coming up behind you fast so could you move over please?" Many people still recognize it and follow it. Many don't though. If I do it, I flash my lights when I'm plenty of distance behind, not tailgating them (I don't tailgate, before someone starts making assumptions).

The Venn diagram of people who know how to drive, who know what flashing lights means, and those who camp out in the left lane obliviously, doesn't have much of an intersection up my way.

 

[TiGeo]

I know when Waze first came on the scene LE was losing their minds about the ability to drop where they were...and Waze said "up yours" as they should have. Glorious.

 

[Astro14]

Slightly off topic, but what I do is swerve side to side like a NASCAR driver warming up his tires during the caution flag.

The message I'm trying to convey? Get off my tail! I find it very effective.

That seems…extreme…I’m sure it works, because you’ve convinced them you are crazy!