Flashing your headlights

DylanII

Hi,

What is the law in Ireland regarding flashing headlights. I know most people will flash their lights to tell people to move out at a junction, speed trap etc.

But I thought the only time you should flash your lights would be to warn them that you are there and not stopping. For example if you are approaching a t-junction on the major road and a car is coming out if the junction you flash to make sure they seen you so you can continue on.

I just never flash my lights, but I want to know what the actual meaning of flashing your lights is.

Alanstrainor

There is no defined meaning. Although people use it to signal various things, such as letting someone go infront of you if they are turning right, or perhaps saying thanks for something else you've done. Anything really.

Flashing your lights serves no specific purpose.

And as for your example RE the T junction, absolutely no way should you ever do that ever. In a lot of cases a flash of lights is used by people to let someone out, or let someone go, so flashing your lights to let someone know you're there is a very dangerous things to do imo. You'll cause an accident.

The high beams, which are the lights you flash, are used to light unlit roads when you turn them on constant.

arleitiss

Me as a stupid learner, ppl flashing lights helped a lot, once I drove off at night and forgot to turn headlights on, the first coming taxi blinded me with full beams, then I realized he means something about my headlights, luckly it was night time and no one was on road.

sdanseo

DylanII wrote: »

Hi,

But I thought the only time you should flash your lights would be to warn them that you are there and not stopping. For example if you are approaching a t-junction on the major road and a car is coming out if the junction you flash to make sure they seen you so you can continue on.

That'd be dangerous. For me, if someone flashes their lights at me as the approach a junction I'm trying to turn out of, it's to signal me to go ahead and pull out.

That said, I have flashed people for sticking way too far out of a junction, only to realise soon after that it could be misconstrued and prompt them to pull out in front of me. Stopped doing it that way since that particular light dawned, but if someone pulls out too soon in front of me or sticks out too far, they will get horn+lights flashing when it's safe to do so to show them the error of their ways

I also flash for certain speed traps - some are fair enough, but most are in stupid places with stupidly low limits and there's no law against it so I'll flash away.

DylanII

Im not saying that I would flash someone at a junction to say Im not stopping but I know that in some countries it means that (The UK and France I believe)

I just wanted to know what the official meaning was in Ireland? Like if I was coming to a T-Junction and some flashed me as they approached, if I was to pull out and they slapped into the side of me would it be my fault or theirs? I never go when someone flashed me I just wanted to know what would happen?

cichlid child

it would be your fault.You should only proceed when it is safe to so.Flashing light means nothing

mathepac

sdeire wrote: »

... I also flash for certain speed traps - some are fair enough, but most are in stupid places with stupidly low limits and there's no law against it so I'll flash away.

You need to acquaint yourself with road traffic laws - if detected you could be charged with interfering with or obstructing Gardai in the execution of their duty, if the speedtrap is not one of the new civilian vans.

DylanII

mathepac wrote: »

You need to acquaint yourself with road traffic laws - if detected you could be charged with interfering with or obstructing Gardai in the execution of their duty, if the speedtrap is not one of the new civilian vans.

Really? But sure maybe you didnt notice the speed camera and flashed because they were driving too fast. Or you flashed by accident or you thought it was your friend.

miller50841

Flashing vehicle headlights is only to be done when indicating your presence on the road as a warning.

Now saying that is what its intended purpose is, it can mean many things also like flashing the hazard lights as a thanks to other drivers which is technically wrong as word hazard means a problem, obstruction, warning or hazard.

Just be very careful when letting someone out of other road or pedestrian to cross like for example waving them on make sure road is clear and safe to do so as if anything goes wrong it could come back on you.

Mycroft H

It can have an indication of yielding right of way here in Ireland but it has the complete opposite meaning in Germany and other countries on the continent.

I personally would never rely on a flash alone.

sdanseo

mathepac wrote: »

You need to acquaint yourself with road traffic laws - if detected you could be charged with interfering with or obstructing Gardai in the execution of their duty, if the speedtrap is not one of the new civilian vans.

I mean the vans, though.

In general, a Garda with a speed gun will have some discretion, whereas the van is purely a faceless money making machine. A Guard with half a brain cell won't pull someone in for doing 64 in a 60 - where the van doesn't give two fecks.

leannejoshua

Flashing to alert speed vans:D

juan.kerr

leannejoshua wrote: »

Flashing to alert speed vans:D

Wouldn't be bothered doing that now. If they aren't speeding they have nothing to worry about.

Lon Dubh

I know someone who flashes people when he is letting them go at a junction, but also flashes to warn people he is not letting them go! Apparently they are supposed to be mind-readers and know which is which at any particular time :rolleyes:.

So I think flashing cannot be trusted as indicating anything much, though sometimes people do it if there is a hazard, or if you forgot to put your lights on or something like that.

Elfinknight

sdeire wrote: »

I mean the vans, though.

In general, a Garda with a speed gun will have some discretion, whereas the van is purely a faceless money making machine. A Guard with half a brain cell won't pull someone in for doing 64 in a 60 - where the van doesn't give two fecks.

you think?

I got done for doing 33 in a 30mph zone by Blarney. It was years ago before the introduction of the kilomter speed limits

Mansized Wreath

Flash to let someone out onto the road, that I'm letting em turn ahead of me or that a little piglet is back the road with his Fisherprice gun/speed van and to slow down.

sdanseo

Elfinknight wrote: »

you think?

I got done for doing 33 in a 30mph zone by Blarney. It was years ago before the introduction of the kilomter speed limits

Stupid law enforcement. There's no other words for that.

gubbie

I was told by my driving instructor just 4 months ago that flashing your lights is officially a way of warning others that you are there. If you flash another car, continue driving and the other car pulls out and ye collide, it is the fault of the other car.

That said if you were approaching a section with a whole load of parked cars on one side, flashing others would have them think it is ok to pull out.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

There is no defined meaning. Although people use it to signal various things, such as letting someone go infront of you if they are turning right, or perhaps saying thanks for something else you've done. Anything really.

Out of interest, where do you get your information from? Or is that just opinion?

mathepac

gubbie wrote: »

...
Out of interest, where do you get your information from? Or is that just opinion?

Check ROTR

challengemaster

gubbie wrote: »

I was told by my driving instructor just 4 months ago that flashing your lights is officially a way of warning others that you are there. If you flash another car, continue driving and the other car pulls out and ye collide, it is the fault of the other car.

Instructor is wrong. Using your horn is a way of saying to others "I'm here". Flashing lights as has been said has no defined meaning.

AngryHippie

It has no defined meaning.
I use it in a few different situations:

If a car in front is indicating to merge into my lane, I'll give them a quick flash before slowing to let them in, just so they know I've seen them.

If someone is hesitant about pulling out in front of me in traffic etc. I'll give them a quick flick and hand gesture to let them in.

If a pedestrian is waiting to cross the road in the pissing rain and there is no traffic behind me, I'll flash them and let them across.

If there is a cop hiding in a bush, sometimes I'll give oncoming cars a quick flash just to let them know there is some bacon on the shoulder, unless they are just hooning around, then I'll let them face the music.

Other than that I use indicators, hazards and occasionally the horn for my road communications.

UHF 40 is pretty useful to, truckies will usually warn each other of any "flash for cash" vans on the road, or potential traffic snarls.

mathepac

AngryHippie wrote: »

... If a car in front is indicating to merge into my lane, I'll give them a quick flash before slowing to let them in, just so they know I've seen them.

If someone is hesitant about pulling out in front of me in traffic etc. I'll give them a quick flick and hand gesture to let them in.

If a pedestrian is waiting to cross the road in the pissing rain and there is no traffic behind me, I'll flash them and let them across.

If there is a cop hiding in a bush, sometimes I'll give oncoming cars a quick flash just to let them know there is some bacon on the shoulder, unless they are just hooning around, then I'll let them face the music. ...

All good stuff. Hopefully you'll pass all this on to the RSA and the legislators for inclusion in the new edition of the ROTR and revised traffic laws. The rest of us are kinda stuck with what's legal and specified in the current ROTR booklet (pp 84-86 FYI)

It's good of you to confirm the level of respect you have for the laws and members of AGS. Thanks.

**Timbuk2**

I've deleted off-topic posts, this thread is for the discussion of flashing headlights, not about members of the AGS or any other policing force. A reminder of the charter rule

Charter wrote:

* Do not refer to driving testers or members of the Gardaí in an offensive or abusive manner.