Driving test-flash/honk when passing?!!!

Oh Haha · 07-21-2009, 06:58 PM

I had to pass a course on defensive driving for my new job. In one of the modules it is suggested that you honk the horn and flash your lights to indicate you are about to pass the vehicle ahead. This is not in a "fast lane hog" situation, just normal driving.

In all of the driving instruction I have taken or taught this has never been discussed.

I think it is a bad idea, in most situations, anyway. Seems like a good way to get your a$$ kicked.

Any thoughts?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Sounds like one of those 1950s movies I had to watch back in Driver's Ed. I agree with you. The best thing you can do on the road these days is be invisible - both to law enforcement and to the throngs of morons out there who would just assume shoot at you/run you off the road/whatever as look at you.

There is no shortage of idiots out there. Why draw their attention?

I say just pass defensively, expecting them to try and block you or swerve into you at any moment.

stealthn · 07-21-2009, 07:02 PM

On the autobahn...you just turn your left signal on and go....

Jims5543 · 07-21-2009, 07:10 PM

On my 1979 320i there was a flash to pass feature on one of the stalks, when you pushed on it it beeped the horn and flashed the headlights.

I think maybe a long time ago this was acceptable. Maybe not so much now.

In the Bahamas, when I drove there a few weeks ago, everyone uses their horn, it can be used to say thank you, #@ck you, GTF out of my way, or WTF are you doing?

They are not bashful about using them either.

mattdavis11 · 07-21-2009, 07:43 PM

Schumi · 07-21-2009, 07:50 PM

If it is nighttime I always flash to pass. No honking horns though. If someone is honking that usually implies there is something wrong/bad about a situation.

Also, when someone is passing me on the highway at night/in rain and they get far enough ahead of me to get back over, I'll flash to let them know they are clear. Truck drivers do this, since when you are hauling a trailer it can be hard at night to judge the distance from the back.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

over here flashing means either the other guy has the high beam on, or that the po-lice is up the road with a speedtrap

TimT · 07-21-2009, 10:01 PM

A few years ago I was instructing at a BMW club DE.. It was decided that using turn signals to indicate intention to pass would be tried instead of the usual arm out the window point by..

Didn't work to well... at least for those of us whose cars have no turn signals.

Here in NY people blink the lights, honk the horn, gesticulate with digits when passing on the highway...All with a cell phone plastered to the ear..

Brian 162 · 07-22-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

I had to pass a course on defensive driving for my new job. In one of the modules it is suggested that you honk the horn and flash your lights to indicate you are about to pass the vehicle ahead. This is not in a "fast lane hog" situation, just normal driving.

In all of the driving instruction I have taken or taught this has never been discussed.

I think it is a bad idea, in most situations, anyway. Seems like a good way to get your a$$ kicked.

Any thoughts?

I had to take the same course 20 years ago. We were taught to tap your horn whenever you saw a pedestrian walking on the road.
I suggested if we only do that for the hot ladies.
The instructor didn't see my humor.
For the record I think it's a dumb idea.

spuggy · 07-22-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumi

Also, when someone is passing me on the highway at night/in rain and they get far enough ahead of me to get back over, I'll flash to let them know they are clear. Truck drivers do this, since when you are hauling a trailer it can be hard at night to judge the distance from the back.

Yup, +1. If traffic is heavy, I even do it for relatively small box vans, as they're normally seriously underpowered and holding up that lane trying to get back in - plus there's a good chance it's rented and the driver isn't used to it.

If there's someone in the slower lane getting boxed in and I'm leaving them room in anticipation of them wanting/needing to merge (usually because it's not like I have 3 miles of clear road in my lane either), I'll often flash to let them know that I've seen them and know what they want to do.

Pretty standard road courtesy in Europe, although don't see it much here.

Professional drivers (or drivers with a brain engaged) seem to "get it" quite quickly, soccer moms - not so much.

"Flash to pass"? Don't think I ever have. Not once. 'Cause that's not the same as "flash to get them to move out of the overtaking lane", right?

island911 · 07-22-2009, 09:20 PM

"Flash to pass"? ..are beads also exchanged? ..or is that just a New Orleans thing?

repp · 07-23-2009, 12:06 AM

pull back on turn indicator??? read owners manual??? oh ffff it just get on the phone and drive in the left lane... might as well send a couple of text since i am in traffic.

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

When passing on the highway in Cuba, the horn honk is done by everyone. Of course, you are often passing horse-drawn carts & other strange old vehicles.

And on the Amalfi Coast road in Italy, many honk on the tight corners to warn other vehicles that they are coming around. But it is too narrow to meet a bus or truck so it makes sense. They have corner mounted mirrors too.

Ian