The cop flash....99% clueless? | FerrariChat

The cop flash....99% clueless?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by Komotep, Jul 20, 2012.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Komotep

    Komotep Karting

    May 5, 2008
    102
    Massachusetts
    Full Name:
    steve
    I've been noticing more and more lately that when I flash people,i.e double light flash with headlights, they almost never hit their brakes. Are there really that many clueless drivers out there? I'd say there are roughly 90%+ drivers that do not slow down and once in a while a fellow car guy will do the affirmative bro nod to indicate his gratitude for the forewarning. what are my fellow fchatters experience with this peculiar phenomenon?
     
  2. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Most probably don't know what it is?
     
  3. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 20, 2004
    29,184
    I've been flashing my lights directly at cops telling them to slow dwn. Pulled up next to one asking him where the emergency was. Talk about deer in headlights. The speeding is getting way out of hand with a lot of PD.
     
  4. Komotep

    Komotep Karting

    May 5, 2008
    102
    Massachusetts
    Full Name:
    steve
    SrfCity, I guess maybe it's a New England thing? I grew up here so I'm not really familiar with how people from other parts of the states warn others to slow down or warn of upcoming police traps. I usually dont speed too bad, but some of the speed limits here in Massachusetts are just too low. A local highway for instance has a posted speed limit of 55mph but, I've never seen anyone do less than 65mph on there, and most do 70-80mph.


    Ryan S. yeah, I guess thats how it is pretty much everywhere right? the highway I just mentioned most of the staties that patrol it are doing like 80mph minimum. I know what you're saying about deer in the headlights lol
     
  5. thirteendog

    thirteendog Formula 3

    Mar 6, 2008
    1,587
    Nashville, TN
    When I see someone flashing their lights it's generally in an area of town that I know not to speed in. It's also much better to downshift and slow yourself down that way rather than hitting the brakes.
     
  6. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2007
    3,653
    rock bottom
    When I see headlights flash, I move over a lane.
     
  7. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2004
    1,591
    Mentor OH
    Full Name:
    Jason
    I usually give 4 flashes total in groups of 2. Flash-flash pause flash-flash. Most of the time it's highway instead of in town.
     
  8. toggie

    toggie F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 30, 2003
    19,036
    Virginia
    Full Name:
    Toggie (Ron)
    If they're younger drivers, they are probably too busy texting on their phones to notice you flashing your lights. :)

    .
     
  9. schumacherf2006

    schumacherf2006 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 22, 2010
    9,100
    Full Name:
    Chris
    Someone had the courtesy of warning me many years ago. I also flashed people the bright lights and they flip me off...
     
  10. Ferrari Envy

    Ferrari Envy Formula Junior

    Apr 27, 2009
    708
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Cameron DeMille
    I have never heard of this. People pat the top of their head if theres a cop around the corner or something, but you dont always see it. I always though the flash from the oncoming lane meant turn your lights on (obviously if it's night and don't have your lights on).
     
  11. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2002
    33,518
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    I thought headlight flashing to warn oncoming cars about police radar ahead was a universal signal, at least in the U.S.

    Of course, back in the days when sports cars and bimmers (60's and 70's) were relatively rare, a headlight flash and a friendly wave were SOP too!
     
  12. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,385
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    I must admit I had my bacon saved in the Ferrari, on a VERY spirited local run
    up some twisties, from a couple of bikers that not only "blinked" but also used
    their hands as the universal "slow down" signal. I was going FAST into those
    twisties on a quiet sunday AM

    But I'll agree that MOST folks really don't know what the "cop flash" actually means.

    Jedi
     
  13. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    18,159
    Savannah
    me too. I still do it it its appropriate.
     
  14. JohnnyS

    JohnnyS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 19, 2006
    15,286
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    John
    FYI: It is agsinst the law in Illinois to flash lights to warn of police.
     
  15. SPEEDCORE

    SPEEDCORE Four Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 11, 2005
    46,182
    Full Name:
    Toe Knee
    Same here.

    Sometimes double flash means put your ****ing lights on idiot. lol
     
  16. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Oct 22, 2007
    22,232
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Gregg
    Had to fix.

    A courtesy flash is something we very seldom see anymore, the police even do it.
     
  17. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
    2,398
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    Paul
    I was thinking this thread was going to involve... um... the Mardi Gras sort of flashing.
     
  18. ScreaminRevs

    ScreaminRevs Formula Junior

    Apr 4, 2004
    411
    Chicago
    Turning your lights off, then back on = letting someone know to turn theirs on.

    Flashing high beams=/= the same.
     
  19. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2003
    43,988
    26.806311,-81.755805
    Full Name:
    Dave M.
    I dunno.

    Here in my neck of the woods, flashing headlights still seems to be the universal sign for "slow down or get a ticket from the cop hiding up just ahead."

    Time to pass this on to the next generation.

    D
     
  20. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2004
    73,228
    Cloud-9
    Full Name:
    Jason
    Got a reverse flash today.

    Not sure if he was flashing anyone in front that saw, but we crest the hill and there's a cop on the right. It was an odd spot because there was a truck in front of me and I didn't see him until about 100 yards away.
     
  21. ronzalfa

    ronzalfa Karting

    Sep 25, 2004
    152
    SW Washington
    Full Name:
    Ron Deaver
    I know you all stay out of problematic areas, but I seem to recall that flashing your lights is an invitation to get shot at in some gang cultures. Do not know if there is any truth in this. I do belive I am correct in thinking the flashing warning was used by truckers originally, an adopted by the general driving public.
     
  22. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
    Urban myth.

    Kai
     
  23. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Oct 22, 2007
    22,232
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Gregg
    Which part?
     
  24. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
  25. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Oct 22, 2007
    22,232
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Gregg
    It could be now but I have never heard of it either and one would think that a gang would want to be as indiscriminate as possible, just a thought.
     

Share This Page