The cop flash....99% clueless?

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?

 

Most probably don't know what it is?

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

When I see headlights flash, I move over a lane.

 

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.

 

If they're younger drivers, they are probably too busy texting on their phones to notice you flashing your lights.

.

 

Someone had the courtesy of warning me many years ago. I also flashed people the bright lights and they flip me off...

 

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).

 

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!

 

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

 

me too. I still do it it its appropriate.

 

FYI: It is agsinst the law in Illinois to flash lights to warn of police.

 

Same here.

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

 

Had to fix.

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

 

I was thinking this thread was going to involve... um... the Mardi Gras sort of flashing.

 

Turning your lights off, then back on = letting someone know to turn theirs on.

Flashing high beams=/= the same.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

Urban myth.

Kai

 

Which part?

 

Flashing lights is some kind of a signal for gangs.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/gangs/lightsout.asp


Kai

 

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.