Flash 4 Overtaking?
 

Someone just told me it is now illegal to flash hi-beams to signal overtaking in Europe. Anyone know the poop?

I've always thought this was a great idea we should emulate here in the states. I'd be interested in knowing why the change, if there is a change.

Flashing lights means "I am here".

If used in away that could be interpreted as "Get out of the way, slowpoke" It would be an offense. (Driving aggresively)

The usual technique is to use the left indicator, which also gets the attention of the driver in front. (marginally illegal, as it can also be interpreted as driving aggresively)

If one is in a hurry in Italy, it's sit on the bumper, left indicator on, lights flashing. The use of the horn is limited to big emergencies such as not getting home in time to watch the start of an important football game. This style of driving is still seen but is frowned upon.

There is an unwritten code that in a medical emergency a driver waves a white handkerchief - other cars will give way. This is very rarely seen and is unoffical practice - It may be falling into disuse with the better communications we have today.

Not heard of this.

Most advanced driving courses seem to advocate a flash of the lights to make sure the driver in front has seen you. Not sure what the IAM guidance is.

However, flashing of the lights is so misused that it is generally interpreted as 'after you'. I quickly gave up on a flash of the lights prior to overtaking as people seem to ssume you're letting them go in front of you and promptly pull out.....

That corresponds to "I am Here". I think it's still the only meaning given in the UK highway code.

Milu

Yes, you're absolutely right. The UK highway code states that the only use of lights should be to let another driver know you are there.

Flash to pass could, I guess, be misconstrued.

But my point is that flashing of the headlights is so misinterpreted that I would advocate NOT doing it, particularly prior to overtaking.

For overtaking I tend to pull out into the overtaking lane well behind the 'target' vehicle, but holding station at this point. This allows me to really check the road ahead. It it's clear I accelerate and go. Also means I don't appear to close fast on the back corner of the target vehicle, so may be seen as less agrressive.

Mind you, it seems that overtaking is a lost art, and now something that is frowned upon. The number of times I'm on an A road behind a string of traffic all bunched up too close. Overtaking opportunity after opportunity is allowed to pass by by the cars ahead. I tend to wait and see how the traffic pans out, then realise nobody is going to make a move, so I make progress myself.

But the reaction of the other drivers quite often leaves a lot to be desired.

Ah well. One reason why I didn't want a brightly coloured 911.

I do love the expression "making progress", so beloved and overused in policemen's official reports when describing their own fast driving as compared to; speeding (over the limit), driving without due care and attention (did not spot policecar), recklesss driving (dangerous driving or "making progress") when charging us.

I didn't think it was still possible to overtake or drive seriously quick in the UK safely (viz without getting caught) when travelling, as opposed to a few favourite stretches known to be "safe".

On a recent trip to the UK, I was impressed at how quickly people do drive on small, narrow roads. The average driver seems to move much more quickly than in the States. Also, overtaking seemed to be expected on two lane roads and seems to be more of a regular driving practice.

I did have a bus in the UK come up right behind me and start flashing its lights at me. This was very clearly, a "speed up, or get the hell out of the way" as it was a no-passing zone.

UK bus drivers are ****s and ought to have their willies cut off.

In Germany ( at least when I was there a few years ago the last time)....being in the left lane and having your left turn indicators on...was the "polite" way of getting the guy in front of you out of the way.

"Flashing" headlights was deemed "shouting"...and was the last resort to use for drivers who were sleeping in front of you...

Wil

In california if someone directly behind you flashes the brights it means you should "hit the brakes real hard".

I just did a ~2000 mile drive in the U.S., when someone was parked in the far left lane I would pull up behind them and turn on my left turn signal. I never flashed my brights at anyone, but you would not believe how many people turned theirs on behind me after the left signal deal didn't work and I was forced to drive around them on the right.

The U.S. has the worst highway drivers of any developed country, I would imagine, though I haven't been to Asia. My definition of "aggressive driving" is parking your fat ass in the left lane and not letting anyone pass. Those people are dangerous. :cool:

In the states, it appears that trucks use their lights to communicate various things like when passing one another there's: "it's ok to come back into lane now, you're clear of me"

A couple years ago I was in Nepal. It was amazing how the trucks and cars had an entire language of honking and flashing lights to convy all sorts of things. It was neat to watch, although a little scary at times. A common monaker often painted on the back of trucks was "honk please." While this honking and flashing would be interpreted as very aggressive in the US, it was simply the spoken language of the road over there.

I was watching a show the other night on the history channel , I think the name of the show was "Mega Structures" . It was about the Autobahn and the history of it. There was a small segment where they interviewed Alois Ruf and his wife . They showed the two of them at the shop and riding down the Autobahn (with a big smile on their faces). :D

Anyways, the host of the show did mention that flashing the lights and using the left turn signal to force someone to change lanes so that you my pass is against the law. I don't see why , I like the idea so much that I have tried it a few times here in the states. The response wasn't very good, most people showed me the finger ,they thought I was number one. SmileWavy

My biggest problem with drivers today in the states is they dont use the highways the way they where designed. SLOWER TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT or KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS. I hate it when you get behind a car that is driving the same speed as the car in the lane beside them for miles. :mad:

Rick