Flashing Headlights ruled OK

[Tom Kirkham]

Headlight flashing OK, Missouri judge says

So let's start flashing.

[Bernica]

Unfortunately here in LA, someone flashing headlights is also used by gangs to pick targets for their "initiation ritual", which includes chasing down the flashing car and doing bad things to the occupants. Sad, I know.

[Trueoo7]

Originally Posted by Tom Kirkham

Headlight flashing OK, Missouri judge says

So let's start flashing.

I always have, in fact I did it today. Unfortunately I think if caught they may pull you over and find something else wrong.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Unfortunately here in LA, someone flashing headlights is also used by gangs to pick targets for their "initiation ritual", which includes chasing down the flashing car and doing bad things to the occupants. Sad, I know.

First, the urban legend is if you are driving at night and flash at a car with lights off.

Second, it's an urban legend. snopes.com: Flashing Headlights Gang Initiation

[Tommy]

From what I've read, the flashers always win these cases if they take them far enough. Local police use the power of expense (they don't have to pay the lawyers, taxpayers do) and inconvenience (they go to court while being paid but the flashers have to pay for their own time) to get their way. I wish there was a way to extract some money from the police who do this to discourage others from following suit.

[Slick61]

when I was a kid growing up in Ohio, flashing your brights to warn oncoming traffic of a speed trap was common place... a courtesy, if you will. I've also observed the practice on the turnpike in Florida. Definitely saw it more frequently back in the 70s & 80s, but still see people do it occasionally today.

[Ron61]

Well I learn more all the time. I have only flashed my lights at oncoming traffic when they had theirs on high beam and it was blinding me, and most of them will immediately go to low beam. I hardly ever have mine on high beam as the traffic is just to heavy.

Ron

[mdross1]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Well I learn more all the time. I have only flashed my lights at oncoming traffic when they had theirs on high beam and it was blinding me, and most of them will immediately go to low beam. I hardly ever have mine on high beam as the traffic is just to heavy.

Ron

Recently retired from a job that I drove several hundred miles a night and the last few years so many would not dim their lights at night no matter how many times you give them a taste of the highs. Also sad to say people can be so inconsiderate.
My lights will never be flashers.

[TMax]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

First, the urban legend is if you are driving at night and flash at a car with lights off.

Second, it's an urban legend. snopes.com: Flashing Headlights Gang Initiation

I figured the "gang initiation" thing was a myth, but flashing someone who hasn't turned on their lights at night is not a myth. I do it, unless I've just been imaging it all the time. I also flash all the redneck idiots in their jacked-up pick-up trucks who leave their high beams on and are blinding oncoming cars like me!
I'm glad the courts upheld the freedom to flash (headlights, not one's trenchcoat). Freedom is a good thing!

[mtrain2000]

Originally Posted by Slick61

when I was a kid growing up in Ohio, flashing your brights to warn oncoming traffic of a speed trap was common place... a courtesy, if you will. I've also observed the practice on the turnpike in Florida. Definitely saw it more frequently back in the 70s & 80s, but still see people do it occasionally today.

I was just talking about this very same thing the other day. I used to see it all of the time when I was kid in the 60's.

Now if I flash my lights at someone I usually get a if its someone under 30 years old driving the other car.

People flashing their lights is way better than a radar detector. Sad that this is becoming a thing of the past.

I always try to help someone from being robbed by the rolling [speeding, etc] tax if I can. On newer vehicles you can flash your headlights without your taillights comming on. You can usually do this by pulling your headlight lever towards you, and back.

[madmaxx]

my old 1976 caddy eldo would automatically go from high beam to low beam when on coming traffic was sensed. i reiterate, my 1976 eldo. ground breaking technology

[ICBomber90]

Smart phone and "Waze" App, modern version of the headlight flash.

https://www.waze.com/

Check it out, works great!

Pat