Flashing lights

lisajane

Does flashing lights at someone mean anything? I don't know where i read it but it has no meaning at all. Why do people do it?
A few times i was trying to do a right turn and i give way to oncoming traffic since they do have right of way. But many times im being flashed at by these oncoming traffic as if to say turn now and do it quickly, even though they have right of way. Many of them speeding also. The reason why i don't turn is because i think im not going to make it in time. And yesterday this idiot even stopped (he had right of way) while flashing his lights at me, to let me turn - no doubt he was f*ing and blinding me. But he had right of way anyway. What difference does it make. Im not slowing anyone down.
So why do they flash their lights? They make me feel rushed and i go even slower. And im not even a learner driver.

jameshayes

How long have you been driving?

blackbox

People may flash their lights to indicate that they will let you through, but you are right not to be rushed. You must use your own judgement and take full responsibility for any manoeuvres that you make.

If they hit you, saying they flashed their lights would be no defense.

And remember, they could be flashing to warn you about some hazard.

Strictly speaking, the only reason anyone should flash their lights is to alert you to their presence (if they were concerned that you hadn't seen them).

At the entrance to my work, people often beckon me on to turn right into the entrance, but there is a bus lane inside them and often there is a bike or taxi coming through - just can't be too careful.

lisajane

Iv been driving for 2 and a half years. A year on my full licence. I agree with blackbox, i shouldn't take chances especially if they were to hit me. If they were to hit me they would probably end up blaming me anyway cause they do have right of way. I'l be the loser.

--amadeus--

Someone flashing you in those circumstances is basically saying that they see you and will allow you to cross in front of them. In other words they will slow enough for you to go in front, even though they have right of way.

Usually this will happen on busy roads or in stop start traffic. While you are still responsible and need to ensure that there are no other hazards (bikes / motorbikes / pedestrians) the other driver is doing you a favour.

I was taught to drive in London and the mantra my instructor used was "if we can help others without endangering ourselves then we should". So if a car wants to turn in front of me and I won't endanger myself or hinder following traffic unduly by slowing a little and flashing someone across I will, what goes around comes around.

Is it fair to assume that the bulk of your driving would be outside urban areas?

craichoe

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Someone flashing you in those circumstances is basically saying that they see you and will allow you to cross in front of them. In other words they will slow enough for you to go in front, even though they have right of way.

Usually this will happen on busy roads or in stop start traffic. While you are still responsible and need to ensure that there are no other hazards (bikes / motorbikes / pedestrians) the other driver is doing you a favour.

I was taught to drive in London and the mantra my instructor used was "if we can help others without endangering ourselves then we should". So if a car wants to turn in front of me and I won't endanger myself or hinder following traffic unduly by slowing a little and flashing someone across I will, what goes around comes around.

Is it fair to assume that the bulk of your driving would be outside urban areas?

In the country, flashing your lights means .. Slow down Ninja COPS AHEAD hiding in a bush

Rovi

Bear in mind though, on much the Continent, flashing lights mean "I have right of way and I'm coming through".
I'm convinced this utterly opposite meaning has been a factor in at least some of the road fatalities here which involved motorists from other European countries.

--amadeus--

craichoe wrote: »

In the country, flashing your lights means .. Slow down Ninja COPS AHEAD hiding in a bush

lol - true!

The OP specifically talked about right turns but yea, if someone flashed me on an open road then I would assume there is a hazzard ahead (cops or other) and I'll slow down. But if I'm overtaking and oncoming traffic flashes me then I know that it's a dangerous maneuver and they're indicating displeasure. Or if it's night and I get flashed then I need to check my lights as they're either off or on full beam, dazzling oncoming traffic. Or a flash could be someone I know saying hello. Or...

I'm gobsmacked that someone with a full license and 2.5 years driving behind them is asking this. I thought you picked this up from experience, obviously not.

workaccount

lisajane wrote: »

Does flashing lights at someone mean anything? I don't know where i read it but it has no meaning at all. Why do people do it?
A few times i was trying to do a right turn and i give way to oncoming traffic since they do have right of way. But many times im being flashed at by these oncoming traffic as if to say turn now and do it quickly, even though they have right of way. Many of them speeding also. The reason why i don't turn is because i think im not going to make it in time. And yesterday this idiot even stopped (he had right of way) while flashing his lights at me, to let me turn - no doubt he was f*ing and blinding me. But he had right of way anyway. What difference does it make. Im not slowing anyone down.
So why do they flash their lights? They make me feel rushed and i go even slower. And im not even a learner driver.

Did you get someone to write this up for you on the internet? Your IQ must be 0.

Don't get in my way when your driving or I will beep you off the road. :mad:

lightening

lisajane wrote: »

But many times im being flashed at by these oncoming traffic as if to say turn now and do it quickly, even though they have right of way

Was the traffic building up behind you? If so they are clearing up the jam behind you by letting you turn, doing you and all the drivers behind you a big favour.

I don't see how their intentions confused you though.

lisajane wrote: »

And im not even a learner driver.

That doesn't make you a good driver!

craichoe

workaccount wrote: »

Did you get someone to write this up for you on the internet? Your IQ must be 0.

Don't get in my way when your driving or I will beep you off the road. :mad:

I'd say you should take it easy

MarkR

workaccount wrote: »

Did you get someone to write this up for you on the internet? Your IQ must be 0.

Don't get in my way when your driving or I will beep you off the road. :mad:

That's not very nice. Btw, why do you call this one "workaccount"? Do you have another account here?

Mitch Connor

craichoe wrote: »

In the country, flashing your lights means .. Slow down Ninja COPS AHEAD hiding in a bush

I got flashed 3 times driving home the other night, but to my mind i wasn't doing anything wrong so (and they weren't giving right of way or anything) so i flashed the fcukers back. Then about 5 minutes down the road there was a garda checkpoint!

They were doing breath tests, but it was a weird ol' stop.

Me: Evening Gard.
Gardai: Evening sir, what is your name please?
Me: Tauren.
G: What is your first name?
Me: ....Tauren
G: this is a random breath check under (blah blah blah legal stuff) Have you been drinking tonight sir?
Me: Nope.
G: On you go so.

I think i may have discovered a sneaky way through these checkpoints....:D

antodeco

Tauren wrote: »

I got flashed 3 times driving home the other night, but to my mind i wasn't doing anything wrong so (and they weren't giving right of way or anything) so i flashed the fcukers back. Then about 5 minutes down the road there was a garda checkpoint!

They were doing breath tests, but it was a weird ol' stop.

Me: Evening Gard.
Gardai: Evening sir, what is your name please?
Me: Tauren.
G: What is your first name?
Me: ....Tauren
G: this is a random breath check under (blah blah blah legal stuff) Have you been drinking tonight sir?
Me: Nope.
G: On you go so.

I think i may have discovered a sneaky way through these checkpoints....:D

LOL! Shame he didnt ask, "Have you been drinking all morning and afternoon?" Haha, his foolery of short sighted questions!

craichoe

Tauren wrote: »

I got flashed 3 times driving home the other night, but to my mind i wasn't doing anything wrong so (and they weren't giving right of way or anything) so i flashed the fcukers back. Then about 5 minutes down the road there was a garda checkpoint!

They were doing breath tests, but it was a weird ol' stop.

Me: Evening Gard.
Gardai: Evening sir, what is your name please?
Me: Tauren.
G: What is your first name?
Me: ....Tauren
G: this is a random breath check under (blah blah blah legal stuff) Have you been drinking tonight sir?
Me: Nope.
G: On you go so.

I think i may have discovered a sneaky way through these checkpoints....:D

You should have said "Well i won't be now, i spilt my beer all over the place when i stopped for your stupid checkpoint"

Slidey

Templemore, a little oasis of inteligence in a desert of idiots.... ha ha ha
People like the OP drive me silly. They will be turning right but sitting in te middle of the road so no one else can get passed. You beckon them on out of sympathy for everyone who has been stuck behind them for the last 5 miles and they sit there with a gormless look on their face as if to say i'll only cross on written invitation...
My mate flashed an unmarkd yoke to warn of a checkpoint ahead... had some explaining to do when the turned around and stopped him. think a shovel was needed to remove the sh1te he spilled to convince them that he thought he knew them!!

MargeS

lisajane wrote: »

Does flashing lights at someone mean anything? I don't know where i read it but it has no meaning at all. Why do people do it?

Jebus! and you are driving on Irish roads for over 2 years!!!! :rolleyes:

rovi wrote:

I'm convinced this utterly opposite meaning has been a factor in at least some of the road fatalities here which involved motorists from other European countries.

that's why before I drive in a foreign country I make sure I look up the rules of the road for that country and any locally accepted driving habits....like flashing lights at other drivers!

joolsveer

When I took driving lessons many moons ago the instructor asked me what it meant when someone flashed their lights. I didn't know the answer so he told me. Their bulbs are working!

Thirty something years later I agree with him.

chris85

lisajane wrote: »

Does flashing lights at someone mean anything? I don't know where i read it but it has no meaning at all. Why do people do it?
A few times i was trying to do a right turn and i give way to oncoming traffic since they do have right of way. But many times im being flashed at by these oncoming traffic as if to say turn now and do it quickly, even though they have right of way. Many of them speeding also. The reason why i don't turn is because i think im not going to make it in time. And yesterday this idiot even stopped (he had right of way) while flashing his lights at me, to let me turn - no doubt he was f*ing and blinding me. But he had right of way anyway. What difference does it make. Im not slowing anyone down.
So why do they flash their lights? They make me feel rushed and i go even slower. And im not even a learner driver.

OP, this is called road courtesy. The drivers are just being nice to you.

Why you end up going slower when rushed, you have been driving long enough that you should be able to react well to situations.

And being a fully licenced driver does not been you are better than a learner driver. Driving is a continuous learning experience and you need to start remembering this

Wossack

Tauren wrote: »

I got flashed 3 times driving home the other night, but to my mind i wasn't doing anything wrong so (and they weren't giving right of way or anything) so i flashed the fcukers back. Then about 5 minutes down the road there was a garda checkpoint!

They were doing breath tests, but it was a weird ol' stop.

Me: Evening Gard.
Gardai: Evening sir, what is your name please?
Me: Tauren.
G: What is your first name?
Me: ....Tauren
G: this is a random breath check under (blah blah blah legal stuff) Have you been drinking tonight sir?
Me: Nope.
G: On you go so.

I think i may have discovered a sneaky way through these checkpoints....:D

G: this is a random breath check under (blah blah blah legal stuff) Have you been drinking tonight sir?
Me: Yes- I mean no! Dammit!

Alanstrainor

I have to say OP i find it very strange that you have 2 years driving experience and you still don't understand the "flashing" of lights as a sign that someone is letting you go. And the fact that you seem easily "panicked" by such situations despite being a fully licensed driver for a year. As Chris said, license or not driving should be a continuous learning experience.

D_murph

craichoe wrote: »

In the country, flashing your lights means .. Slow down Ninja COPS AHEAD hiding in a bush

yep, crouching garda, hidden camera

prodigal_son

Rovi wrote: »

Bear in mind though, on much the Continent, flashing lights mean "I have right of way and I'm coming through".
I'm convinced this utterly opposite meaning has been a factor in at least some of the road fatalities here which involved motorists from other European countries.

Thats not the opposite meaning for what it has here, Its the exact same meaning.

Just people in Ireland ignore the official meaning and use it to waive their right of way to people, but in court it means the opposite, thats why if it happens, and you pull out and they crash into you... Its your fault.

I think its used universally abroad and here to say cops ahead. They will always always do it in france if cops are ahead for example. You are supposed to flash your lights back to say thanks, if they do warn you of the cops aswel.

Motorcyclists abroad will stick their foot out in the air to say thanks to you, something to look for i spose, have never noticed them doing it here, they seem a lot more civil abroad.

denashpot

lisajane wrote: »

Iv been driving for 2 and a half years. A year on my full licence. I agree with blackbox, i shouldn't take chances especially if they were to hit me. If they were to hit me they would probably end up blaming me anyway cause they do have right of way. I'l be the loser.

how much did you pay for the full licence?? my friend wants 1.

lightening

prodigal_son wrote: »

have never noticed them doing it here, they seem a lot more civil abroad.

They always always wave when I make room for them.

Pherekydes

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I have to say OP i find it very strange that you have 2 years driving experience and you still don't understand the "flashing" of lights as a sign that someone is letting you go. And the fact that you seem easily "panicked" by such situations despite being a fully licensed driver for a year. As Chris said, license or not driving should be a continuous learning experience.

Based on the answers to the OP's question, it appears most drivers have no clue what it means.

"Letting you go"

What about you're driving on a national route and a car going in the opposite direction gives you a long flash?

You're driving behind a lorry on a main road and you come to a straight stretch, suitable for overtaking, but you can't see ahead, so you manouvre out a bit and a car coming from the opposite direction gives you a flash?

Mean the same thing?

In an estate, you come to a spot where two cars are parked opposite each other, leaving only room for one car at a time to pass. A car coming the other way flashes.

You drive out of a well lit car park onto a well lit road and every Tom, Dick and Harry (both directions) flashes you repeatedly.

These all mean the same thing?

Legally, a flash only means one thing: I am here.

How long are you people driving?

Alanstrainor

Slow coach wrote: »

Based on the answers to the OP's question, it appears most drivers have no clue what it means.

"Letting you go"

What about you're driving on a national route and a car going in the opposite direction gives you a long flash?

You're driving behind a lorry on a main road and you come to a straight stretch, suitable for overtaking, but you can't see ahead, so you manouvre out a bit and a car coming from the opposite direction gives you a flash?

Mean the same thing?

In an estate, you come to a spot where two cars are parked opposite each other, leaving only room for one car at a time to pass. A car coming the other way flashes.

You drive out of a well lit car park onto a well lit road and every Tom, Dick and Harry (both directions) flashes you repeatedly.

These all mean the same thing?

Legally, a flash only means one thing: I am here.

How long are you people driving?

In the OP's original post there was mention of a situation where one is turning right and another driver slows down and flashes you on, it was this that i was referring to. There are loads of situations where the flashing of the lights indicates that the one flashing the lights is letting you go, as you mentioned the situation where, on a tight road, two cars are parked opposite each other and another driver "flashes" you to let you come through first if there is a doubt. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what it means given the situation.

DonJose

lisajane wrote: »

And yesterday this idiot even stopped (he had right of way) while flashing his lights at me, to let me turn

Thats a nice way to talk about a driver who is considerate enough to let you turn when he has right of way. Women drivers have to be the most inconsiderate drivers on the road, I've never been let out by a woman driver and if you let a woman driver out most times she won't even have the courtesy to acknowledge you.

pow wow

As most people have said in the specific instance the OP referred to a 'flash' would usually indicate they are slowing to let you make your manoeuvre. If you feel you won't make it, you don't have to do it. I doubt they'll care either way, it's seen as being a polite thing to do. You're right, they could still hit you but if you feel uncomfortable pulling in front of them then you don't have to.

Although you might not be delaying anyone while waiting to make your manoeuvre, if it's a busy road and there's no gap in traffic you could easily end up doing so, and so oncoming traffic might feel it appropriate to slow down, flash you, and let you make your turn, rather than have you sitting there forever waiting to do it.

lisajane

To all those ass-holes that wrote that that the driver was trying to be courteous cause i must be stupid enough to have a 5 mile tail back behind me and was trying to be nice to clear the back log of traffic. I was turning right on a main road and i had the right road position (just left of the centre line) so following traffic could overtake me on the left. I wasn't in anyone's way.

Flashing lights are just one of those things i hate.

D_murph

DonJose wrote: »

Thats a nice way to talk about a driver who is considerate enough to let you turn when he has right of way. Women drivers have to be the most inconsiderate drivers on the road, I've never been let out by a woman driver and if you let a woman driver out most times she won't even have the courtesy to acknowledge you.

well in fairness how can you expect her to while driving, fixing her make up and talking on the phone at the same time?

batman2000

DonJose wrote: »

Thats a nice way to talk about a driver who is considerate enough to let you turn when he has right of way. Women drivers have to be the most inconsiderate drivers on the road, I've never been let out by a woman driver and if you let a woman driver out most times she won't even have the courtesy to acknowledge you.

+1

DonJose

lisajane wrote: »

To all those ass-holes that wrote that that the driver was trying to be courteous cause i must be stupid enough to have a 5 mile tail back behind me and was trying to be nice to clear the back log of traffic. I was turning right on a main road and i had the right road position (just left of the centre line) so following traffic could overtake me on the left. I wasn't in anyone's way.

Flashing lights are just one of those things i hate.

Post reported! I'm never letting you out

lisajane

I have let men out. Not anymore, im so inconsiderate.

chris85

lisajane wrote: »

I have let men out. Not anymore, im so inconsiderate.

You never let anybody out. Because when you let someone out you are the one that has right of way and then let other people out, and you seem baffled in earlier posts about this concept of people having the right of way yet still 'flashing' to let you out.

astraboy

OP, did you buy your license? Flashing lights mean many things depending on the situation. Now, a car in slow moving traffic, slowing down and flashing his lights at you, while you are indicating right to turn across to a junction, obviously means you can drive on and not have to wait another 5 minutes. I'm sorry if it "Annoys" you, but people that need a written invitation to pull over to a junction after I've clearly let them go "Annoy" me too. If it "Annoys" you that much sit there and don't take the opportunity to cross. One would think you would appreciate the gesture, but instead you have the nerve to give out about it.

If your on a national secondary route and you get a flash of lights, it means slow down cos:
A: Theres cops ahead with a speed gun
B: There is an accident or hazzard ahead.

Using your lights to warn/gesture to other drivers is a handy and often courteous thing to do. it only takes a flick of the wrist!

Alun

To be fair, I think what she may have been referring to is the situation where someone on the mainline actually stops and flashes you to turn right when there's absolutely no need for it. I.e. if they'd just driven on, you could have turned right under your own steam quite easily after a few seconds wait for a gap. OK, if the traffic coming towards you is pretty solid and moving slowly, and/or there's a huge queue of traffic behind you waiting to get past, but I've been behind drivers before who have stopped to let someone turn right, and therefore forced me to stop, when we were quite literally the only other cars on the road going in that direction for some distance behind us. That's not being polite, it's just utterly pointless.

astraboy

Ya Alun thats true, people will just have to learn to use a combination of their mirrors and common sense!

nialler

My interpretation:

Busy road, no right turns, slow flash of lights indicates hazard ahead or speedcheck or some sort of garda presence (that's the same all over the world).

Right Turn on busy road - guy/girl/farmer flashing lights while a good distance away or at a suitable speed means go ahead mate, you've plenty of time to make the turn and I'm aware of you there.

Same goes for the two cars parked opposite each other and two cars approaching from opposite sides.

Now I get flashed in the morning (oooo errrrr) I pull out of my junction (the back street in ringsend) pull up to the main junction stop at yellow box, allow 1 car out from thorncastle street, that person then proceeds up the bridge and allows 1 car out from fitzwilliam, I allow one car out from fitzwilliam (with a flash to say go ahead, or a hand wave if they're looking) guy behind me does the same, it just keeps the traffic moving (albeit slowly, but we're going nowhere in a hurry).

Courtesy costs nothing and you shouldn't criticise the people trying to be courteous to yourself or anybody else.


N

chris85

nialler wrote: »

My interpretation:

Busy road, no right turns, slow flash of lights indicates hazard ahead or speedcheck or some sort of garda presence (that's the same all over the world).

Right Turn on busy road - guy/girl/farmer flashing lights while a good distance away or at a suitable speed means go ahead mate, you've plenty of time to make the turn and I'm aware of you there.

Same goes for the two cars parked opposite each other and two cars approaching from opposite sides.

Now I get flashed in the morning (oooo errrrr) I pull out of my junction (the back street in ringsend) pull up to the main junction stop at yellow box, allow 1 car out from thorncastle street, that person then proceeds up the bridge and allows 1 car out from fitzwilliam, I allow one car out from fitzwilliam (with a flash to say go ahead, or a hand wave if they're looking) guy behind me does the same, it just keeps the traffic moving (albeit slowly, but we're going nowhere in a hurry).

Courtesy costs nothing and you shouldn't criticise the people trying to be courteous to yourself or anybody else.


N

Courtesy is so easy to show on the roads. The OP has no common sense and probably collected 20 crisp packets to get the licence

Alun

nialler wrote: »

Right Turn on busy road - guy/girl/farmer flashing lights while a good distance away or at a suitable speed means go ahead mate, you've plenty of time to make the turn and I'm aware of you there.

True, but ultimately it's not your call to make, but that of the person who's pulling out. He may have seen some other hazard you might be unaware of, like someone about to overtake you, or a car coming from the other direction at speed, that he can judge better than you, for instance. Also, what you personally might view as a 'good' distance or 'suitable' speed might not match his appraisal of the situation.

Don't get me wrong, I sometimes flash people like this, but I don't get annoyed if they don't take me up on the offer .. it's their decision whether to go or not, not mine.

Pherekydes

nialler wrote: »

My interpretation:

+1
That's all it is. Interpretation.

Misplaced courtesy is probably what the Op was referring to and alluded to by Alun above. It's pointless, stupid and possibly dangerous.

It happens every day when I turn right into my estate. Some cars block the entrance; some stop in heavy traffic and let you in; some flash while still rolling and expect you to execute a rapid turn, so you don't hold them up, despite the fact that the road behind them is completely empty; some, at a distance, give you a long (3 second) flash as you make your turn, presumably because they're angry that you didn't wait until they gave you the go ahead.

You'll find that it isn't a matter of interpretation when you go to overtake a stationary hazard (truck/bus/parked car) and have a head-on.

"But judge, he flashed me and I took it to mean I could go..."

Sully

--amadeus-- wrote: »

I'm gobsmacked that someone with a full license and 2.5 years driving behind them is asking this. I thought you picked this up from experience, obviously not.

I'm pretty stunned myself.. I knew this before I even started driving. Its very common and I do it myself. Iv been in the situation before where I am sitting to turn right or left and the traffic is heavy with nobody stopping to leave me pass.

Its only unsafe if you stop suddenly, or stop at a sharp bend - as the car coming from behind may not be able to slow down in time. Also, considerable distance and time is required for the car in front (making sure there path is clear) to make the move.

Thats just one area where lights are flashed of course, there are many others depending on the situation. However the OPs question should be fairly ****ing obvious what the heck the car is doing!

lisajane wrote: »

To all those ass-holes that wrote that that the driver was trying to be courteous cause i must be stupid enough to have a 5 mile tail back behind me and was trying to be nice to clear the back log of traffic. I was turning right on a main road and i had the right road position (just left of the centre line) so following traffic could overtake me on the left. I wasn't in anyone's way.

Flashing lights are just one of those things i hate.

Those "assholes" are trying to teach you how to drive. I can not believe you have a licence that many years and never once realised what they meant. Its pretty obvious what they meant when the car stops and flashes you. I'm sure they even waved you on or pointed you to turn.

By you sitting there like an eejit with a queue of cars behind you, and refusing to let the drivers in front give you room to move - is holding up traffic and could result in a serious accident.

lisajane

chris85 wrote: »

You never let anybody out. Because when you let someone out you are the one that has right of way and then let other people out, and you seem baffled in earlier posts about this concept of people having the right of way yet still 'flashing' to let you out.

The only time i let someone out is when something blocks the other drivers view and they mightn't be able to see me. Or if im in slow moving traffic and im going nowhwere myself.

chris85

lisajane wrote: »

The only time i let someone out is when something blocks the other drivers view and they mightn't be able to see me. Or if im in slow moving traffic and im going nowhwere myself.

But wait you have the right of way on both of them situations. Thats being a bit of a hypocrite now

On yer bike! (seriously)

lisajane

Sully wrote: »

I'm pretty stunned myself.. I knew this before I even started driving. Its very common and I do it myself. Iv been in the situation before where I am sitting to turn right or left and the traffic is heavy with nobody stopping to leave me pass.

Its only unsafe if you stop suddenly, or stop at a sharp bend - as the car coming from behind may not be able to slow down in time. Also, considerable distance and time is required for the car in front (making sure there path is clear) to make the move.

Thats just one area where lights are flashed of course, there are many others depending on the situation. However the OPs question should be fairly ****ing obvious what the heck the car is doing!



Those "assholes" are trying to teach you how to drive. I can not believe you have a licence that many years and never once realised what they meant. Its pretty obvious what they meant when the car stops and flashes you. I'm sure they even waved you on or pointed you to turn.

By you sitting there like an eejit with a queue of cars behind you, and refusing to let the drivers in front give you room to move - is holding up traffic and could result in a serious accident.

Sitting there to turn right, traffic was still overtaking on the left. Was not holding up traffic.

eamon234

D_murph wrote: »

yep, crouching garda, hidden camera

Hahaaaa LMAO! I made the mistake of taking a sip of coffee while reading your post there's coffee spray all over my screen:D

lisajane

chris85 wrote: »

But wait you have the right of way on both of them situations. Thats being a bit of a hypocrite now

On yer bike! (seriously)

ya im trying to be safe. if a driver has a reduced view he mightn't see me. if i continue on he might drive into me cause he didn't see me. if he didn't see me and pulled out and hit me, it would be his fault but i could have avoided it by giving him right of way. trying to avoid an accident.

chris85

lisajane wrote: »

ya im trying to be safe. if a driver has a reduced view he mightn't see me. if i continue on he might drive into me cause he didn't see me. if he didn't see me and pulled out and hit me, it would be his fault but i could have avoided it by giving him right of way. trying to avoid an accident.

was being sarcastic. You gave out that people had right of way yet still helped you, yet you do it as well as you had right of way and let other people out.

Flashing is part of common coutesy on the roads. without courtesy on roads, some people would never get around. You ever been on any of the big national routes like Dublin-Galway. Ive seen People waiting up to 7-8 mins tryin to turn right off the road. i sometimes may slow down gradually well in advance to a safe speed to leave a very generous gap (around 80-100m) in front of me and flash to let the person turn. Then after they turn I speed up a bit and Im back with flow of traffic within a minute.

You just have to use your head and be safe and everything is fine.

unkel

lisajane wrote: »

To all those ass-holes that wrote that that the driver was trying to be courteous

No need for abuse, lisajane. That's a warning...

smemon

The problem is that people don't know the unwritten rules of the road..

For example, in a test, you cannot wave pedestrains across the road, you cannot let some poor fecker out who's on a hill and trying to join a static string of traffic... you can't turn off in third gear, even when all roads around you are clear, you cannot plough on at a stop sign when their is no traffic and no danger.

These are all little things which are included in the unwritten rules of the road. If you don't do any of the above, you're ultimately slowing down traffic and causing frustration.

Flashing lights surrenders a position on the road if you're in a built up area 90% of the time. Simple as that. Other reasons include;

(a) there's danger up ahead - cops, cows, horse.. whatever
(b) you have no lights on and are a danger to everyone around you.
(c) you have just made a dangerous overtaking manouver which forced the car that's flashing you to brake or pull in to avoid you.
(d) they know you and are saying hello.
(e) you have full beams on, stop blinding me, i'll dip when you dip.

This is all common sense. You don't need to be a driver to know this stuff. What do people do for 17/18 years of their lives before they get in to the drivers seat? Sleep in the backseat with a mask over their faces?