Odd communication from oncoming driver

DRedSky

this could be quite simple to answer and maybe it’s a common hand signal between motorists but i googled it and found nothing … so here goes:

On the way home this evening after a long drive home and now only 2 minutes from my house on a very rural road at 7.30pm, so sort of dark-ish by then, a driver coming towards me flashed at me and then flashed a second time and then pointed downwards at his steering wheel twice to obviously try to tell me something.

Any ideas what that means?

It worried me initially as i was convinced there was something wrong with my lights or wheel etc but checked after and all fine.

I had dipped lights on which most other drivers would have on at that time of evening (although he didn’t). I passed nothing after going by him apart from a hefty set of speed bumps immediately after passing him but he was hardly going to all that trouble to mention speed bumps.

Anyway, anyone ever communicated like that with another motorist and what does it mean?

Jim_Hodge

Pointing down usually means Slow Down.

spakman

Headlights might need to be aligned, could be pointing up into his eyes

standardg60

You probably met a 'road police' ahole, i wouldn't worry about it.

He was probably trying to tell you to slow down, do you drive a nice car that he can't afford?

Tails142

If you notice this happening in the evenings now as they close in, people randomly flashing and waving at you, your headlights need to be aligned. Ask me how I know...

DRedSky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121106883#Comment_121106883

Lol, nope just a run of the mill van unfortunately.

Waving downward with a flat hand i would take to mean slow down but this was an index finger pointing straight down.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121106894#Comment_121106894

It mimics pointing at the speedometer. I've see it used many times by older guys.

DRedSky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121106893#Comment_121106893

Yeah I’ll keep an eye out now with the evenings getting shorter , maybe that’s it so.

It did look like a deliberate point down in that direction alright so would make sense

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121106894#Comment_121106894

As above then your lights may have been too high. Something van drivers rarely if ever do is adjust their lights downwards with the toggle when they have a load in the cargo area.

DRedSky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121106900#Comment_121106900

I had never heard of that before tbh.

Grolschevik

Recently I had a guy flash lights and make a sideways-talking-sock-puppet type gesture. Turns out it meant animals on the road.

Sir Galahad

We’re your front fog lights on ?

DRedSky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121107126#Comment_121107126

Nope, deffo not.

Atlantic Dawn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121107071#Comment_121107071

I should have got the mind reader option on my car when ordering it 😂

Buffman

He was warning you about the speed bumps I'd imagine. Are they well marked?

Either that or you have something hanging off the bottom of your car.

antodeco

When you say dipped do you mean "normal headlights" or your side lights? The amount of newer cars that only put on sidelights is quite crazy and maybe as it was getting darker he was signalling to put the "normal" headlights on?

10-10-20

Maybe like me he just hit 123,456kms on his dash and wanted to celebrate the fact. 😁

Deub

Fog light on?

Xcellor

This time of year its getting darker sooner - I'd say its something to do with your lights. But sure who know these "signals" are open to lots of interpretation.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121107126#Comment_121107126

are people still put out by front foglights?

they are pretty much driving lights at this stage

mykrodot

speedbumps

DRedSky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121108488#Comment_121108488

No they’re not well marked and they’re pretty hefty. So yes I guess it’s possible he had just encountered them and was warning me.

To others about the lights, i had dipped on (not just side lights) but no fog lights, no.

Sir Galahad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121109763#Comment_121109763

No they’re not. They’re not aimed, so they glare. The key word is “Fog”. In wet conditions they cause glare.

sniperman

maybe he fancied you and was indicating where he wanted your head to be

DRedSky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121111285#Comment_121111285

😂. Lol now I REALLY REALLY hope it was just the speedbumps

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121111149#Comment_121111149

I don't use them but I've never been remotely bothered by other drivers using them

_Kaiser_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121111863#Comment_121111863

Unless it's a rear fog light - that IS annoying!

I find a lot of the LEDs on newer cars to be blinding at times, or idiots not dipping their lights for traffic on motorways (either in front of them or the other side) far more common though.

My A7 has the "fog" lights integrated into the main headlight unit and calls them "All weather" lights or similar with a little rain cloud symbol/button beside the dial:

Very useful at night on country roads or even just the motorway. Never had any problems.

_Kaiser_

On the OP.. I would guess either your dipped lights weren't on, or there was a speed trap ahead (or some guy trying to act as a speeding/roads police unit himself)

magicbastarder

i drive a road regularly which had speed bumps recently installed (outside a primary school), and it's funny to see all the skid marks on approach from drivers only copping them at the last moment. not a 'very rural road' as mentioned, it's in north county dublin; so i suspect not the one mentioned above.

bladespin

Speed bump or pothole would be my guess too.

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121112002#Comment_121112002

rear foglights is indeed a different story

Iwastimthe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058313642/odd-communication-from-oncoming-driver

Did this happen in Waterford by any chance? Had something similar happen to me last week on a rural road in Waterford. Older gentleman driving an Audi a4.

Definitely warning to slow down ahead of speed bumps which probably took him by surprise

DRedSky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121112862#Comment_121112862

Not quite Waterford but a neighbouring county to it alright.

Ciano35

Check your sump guard, might be loose and flapping when driving.