But flashing your main beam at an oncoming car because you don't understand the difference between DRL's and fogs isn't "letting them know you are there" is it?

From the HighwayCode: "Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."

Sounds like intimidation to me.

If you need use main beam on the motorway to make others aware of your presence then may be you should read up on the highway code

Last line doesn't make sense? So when someone pulls out into my lane without notice or even knowing im there, i don't need to flash my lights? Perhaps you need to read the highway code???

If they are flashing me for my DRL's then i flash them back, im making myself aware of my prescense the same as they are to me. I know the rules of the road unlike some.

Read it how you like but it isn't dangerous! If that is the case then all Emergency vehicles need removing off our roads. Braking hard when you flash someone who has just pulled out in front of you without indicating is dangerous.

Edited 17 October, 201015 yr by jrw

Last line doesn't make sense? So when someone pulls out into my lane without notice or even knowing im there, i don't need to flash my lights?

Correct, no you don't flash your lights. You reduce your speed and maintain a safe distance.

If they are flashing me for my DRL's then i flash them back, im making myself aware of my prescense the same as they are to me.

Main beam is far brighter than DRL's. Dazzling them back makes you as bad as them. Just ignore them.

I know the rules of the road unlike some.

No, your interpretation of the rules is different to mine.

Read it how you like but it isn't dangerous! Braking hard when you flash someone who has just pulled out in front of you without indicating is dangerous.

I totally agree. Perhaps they wouldn't feel the need to brake in retaliation if you weren’t so trigger happy on the indicator stalk?

Correct, no you don't flash your lights. You reduce your speed and maintain a safe distance.

Main beam is far brighter than DRL's. Dazzling them back makes you as bad as them. Just ignore them.

No, your interpretation of the rules is different to mine.

I totally agree. Perhaps they wouldn't feel the need to brake in retaliation if you weren’t so trigger happy on the indicator stalk?

WOW well you heard it here first people that the flash function on the indicator stalk is now defunct and not needed!

Anyway back on topic as you are obviously right contrary to the highway code and what everyone else thinks! Nice to see that you let people away with breaking road laws by not flashing your lights etc. It is people like you who make people they can think they can do what they want on our roads nowadays. The flash function is there for a reason just like your horn is.

Flashing here means 2 things

1. It´s someone you know

2. The cops are ahead.

Flashing here means 2 things

1. It´s someone you know

2. The cops are ahead.

Like it

I forgot their´s another thing

3. Flashing to f****** idiots so they can turn off their highbeam

Some people still donnot know that the Blue light signal indicator on dash means you have your highbeam on :no:

Edited 17 October, 201015 yr by alberg

I've never, ever, seen main beam used as you describe.

The only time I ever see the flash function used is to either indicate right of way or more often than not in aggression.

Perhaps I am wrong if I percieve it as being aggressive when it is directed at me?

However, I must be mistaken because of course...

I know the rules of the road unlike some.

Despite your superior road knowledge, I stand by what I say, flashing someone back who has mistaken your DRL's for fogs isn't helping, especially if I happen to be behind either you or the other driver.

Flashing here means 2 things

1. It´s someone you know

2. The cops are ahead.

With the addition of letting someone out of a junction - its the same in the UK.

Unless of course you follow the letter of the highway code

I've never, ever, seen main beam used as you describe.

The only time I ever see the flash function used is to either indicate right of way or more often than not in aggression.

Perhaps I am wrong if I percieve it as being aggressive when it is directed at me?

However, I must be mistaken because of course...

Despite your superior road knowledge, I stand by what I say, flashing someone back who has mistaken your DRL's for fogs isn't helping, especially if I happen to be behind either you or the other driver.

111

Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.

Eye contact and hand gestures are the best way of giving way to somebody.

Have you even got LED DRL's?!

Have you completed an Advanced Driving Qualification?

Have you taken advice off the police or direct.gov.uk to clarify what you are saying?

Perhaps that car manufacturers and the writers of the highway code need to be notified that we no longer need a flash function or in fact a horn on our cars any more as we NEVER need to notify anyone of our presence and should just 'ignore them' and 'reduce our speed and keep a safe distance'.

That should save car manufacturers a few quid on our cars and a couple of lines out of the highway code! Also 2 less things to 'pointlessly' test your car on on its MOT

Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.

Eye contact and hand gestures are the best way of giving way to somebody.

Yes, I know that thanks.

Another incorrect use of main beam to add to your list.

Have you even got LED DRL's?!

Yes, why do you ask?

Have you completed an Advanced Driving Qualification?

Have you taken advice off the police or direct.gov.uk to clarify what you are saying?

No, will that allow me to claim that I know the rules of the road better than anyone else like you do?

Perhaps that car manufacturers and the writers of the highway code need to be notified that we no longer need a flash function or in fact a horn on our cars any more as we NEVER need to notify anyone of our presence and should just 'ignore them' and 'reduce our speed and keep a safe distance'.

That should save car manufacturers a few quid on our cars and a couple of lines out of the highway code! Also 2 less things to 'pointlessly' test your car on on its MOT

But there is a use of the flash function; I too use it incorrectly to say hi to my mates, to tell someone I think they are an arse, to warn others of a hidden speed camera and to briefly illuminate road signs.

I also use my horn from time to time, again to tell someone they are driving like an arse. Not because it makes the situation safer but because it makes me feel a lot better!

When the guy in front of you braked after you flashed him for pulling out in front of you, were you making him aware of your presence or were your venting your anger?

Did flashing your headlights help the situation, did it make him disappear or speed up? No he slammed on his brakes in retaliation because he thought you were being aggressive.

Did the oncoming drivers who you dazzled think, wow, I'm glad he flashed his main beam instead of just slowing down?

So, you keep on flashing your headlights and sounding your horn to let others know you are coming.

Me? As previously mentioned I prefer my DRL's, or dipped headlights or best of all the middle finger.

Yes, I know that thanks.

Another incorrect use of main beam to add to your list.

Yes, why do you ask?

No, will that allow me to claim that I know the rules of the road better than anyone else like you do?

But there is a use of the flash function; I too use it incorrectly to say hi to my mates, to tell someone I think they are an arse, to warn others of a hidden speed camera and to briefly illuminate road signs.

I also use my horn from time to time, again to tell someone they are driving like an arse. Not because it makes the situation safer but because it makes me feel a lot better!

When the guy in front of you braked after you flashed him for pulling out in front of you, were you making him aware of your presence or were your venting your anger?

Did flashing your headlights help the situation, did it make him disappear or speed up? No he slammed on his brakes in retaliation because he thought you were being aggressive.

Did the oncoming drivers who you dazzled think, wow, I'm glad he flashed his main beam instead of just slowing down?

So, you keep on flashing your headlights and sounding your horn to let others know you are coming.

Me? As previously mentioned I prefer my DRL's, or dipped headlights or best of all the middle finger.

Normal day-to-day driving

But there is a use of the flash function; I too use it incorrectly to say hi to my mates, to tell someone I think they are an arse, to warn others of a hidden speed camera and to briefly illuminate road signs.

Yes i too use it incorrectly but also correctly - this morning for example i was at the side of a lorry who decided it would be a good time to overtake the lorry in front. Whether he didn't know I was there or simply didn't look i don't know but I used my main beam to tell him i was there and he quickly swerved back over into his lane instead of squashing me in the central reservation (2lane motorway btw). Easing off simply would not have achieved anything in this situation besides just needing a new front end instead of a new car. Slamming on my brakes to avoid him is a big no no imho on a motorway. I have been taught to not brake unless you really need to on a motorway as this is not only dangerous but also a cause of traffic jams

I also use my horn from time to time, again to tell someone they are driving like an arse. Not because it makes the situation safer but because it makes me feel a lot better!

See above

When the guy in front of you braked after you flashed him for pulling out in front of you, were you making him aware of your presence or were your venting your anger?

Both

Did flashing your headlights help the situation, did it make him disappear or speed up? No he slammed on his brakes in retaliation because he thought you were being aggressive.

he was driving like an @rse hence him pulling out anyway - he pulled over to give me some abuse giving me clear way to leave him in my exhaust fumes

Did the oncoming drivers who you dazzled think, wow, I'm glad he flashed his main beam instead of just slowing down?

Did they even notice? My opinion of other drivers is that they don't pay any attention and are in their own little world and paying no attention to anyone else let alone being safe on the road themselves.....For the record my comment about knowing the rules of the road unlike some was NOT aimed at you but at the vast majority of morons on the roads clogging up the system and making driving a total displeasure nowadays

So, you keep on flashing your headlights and sounding your horn to let others know you are coming.

I will thanks.

Me? As previously mentioned I prefer my DRL's, or dipped headlights or best of all the middle finger.

Middle finger just incites aggression more than any flashing of lights and is also illegal - good luck!

Anyway lets agree to disagree and ill see if I get a reply of Mr Bright Orange Smart today!!

Just had a classic this evening coming home - Thought I would share it with you. This email to the chap sums it up I think:

I presume that this is you David who was driving the Smart on the M54 on Friday evening towards the M6. You were flashing your rear fog light at me (Red Octavia VRS).

I can only presume that you were flashing your rear fog as you assumed (wrongly) that I had my front fog lights on. I don't know where you have been for the last few years but the lights that you saw on the front of my car are called Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). Please use google or this link http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/daytime-running-lights.html.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDgQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FDaytime_running_lamp&ei=pH24TMCqKtSRjAez17jmDg&usg=AFQjCNGfiSFmfr47VlxtmkMH19qo3jFJaA

I suggest that you get used to this as they can't be switched off and are soon to become law. You will have also noticed that I was flashing my front fogs at you to indicate that I hadn't got them on.

After I have received a written apology from yourself I suggest that before you try and be rent a cop again in your own (illegal) car i suggest that you get your headlights aligned as the front passenger beam is pointing in totally the wrong direction and blinding other road users.

It is also rather foolish to indimidate other law abiding citizens in a bright orange Smart with your company website address plastered all over it and a picture of you on your website...Just a shame your mobile number isn't working as it would have saved me typing this.

Would you have wasted your time berating another driver if the offender was a hairy truck driver (rather than Dave driving a signwritten orange smartcar!!).

Would you have wasted your time berating another driver if the offender was a hairy truck driver (rather than Dave driving a signwritten orange smartcar!!).

He probably is aware of what a DRL is so therefore wouldn't have felt the need to flash his rear fog at me. Needless to say i would have contacted the company if it was signwritten to educate them in what a DRL is

I suppose this will become less common, as the problem of DRLs becomes more commonplace. It;s one of the things that puts me off getting a new VRS (not people flashing me - just the fact that they look gash).

Cant you permanently disable them with VAG-COM or something? Sure you still have them there, looking naff, but at least they wouldnt turn on. Got to be worth a try...........

You don't need maxidot to turn them off.

It's in the handbook - 1)igniton on 2) within 3 seconds, pull indicator stalk towards you (as in hlamp flash) 3) hold stalk down(indicate left) for turning them off or up for turning them on again. You even get the friendly tone telling you something has happened!

just stick you headlights and then fogs on. its what i did to the plod the oher month - and they really should know better.

Finally got 'flashed' at today with my DRL's.

Lunchtime driving through the town.

The young looking police officer also very kindly put his blue flashing lights on and pointed to the front of my car :wonder:

Will have to look out for him now to make sure he gets some education on the subject.

I think it comes down to 2 things. Firstly the DRL are pretty low on the car unlike an Audi for example. They are very similar to the new Mercs and that brings me on to the next point. People expect them on perceived 'better cars' therefore seeing them on a Skoda confuses their tiny brains.

What's annoying is the tw@ts that have their fog lights on that assume its now okay because of cars with DRL's.

Dont army convoys run with lights on no matter what the weather is like as they know it is easier to see their vehicles?

Food for thought.

My 2p is that if the conditions are so bad they you think that lights are a good idea then headlights is the only option. The again, any addition to the luminosity ( even sidelights) of your vehicle (esp. during daylight) would no doubt help your cause in the event of a non-fault accident. I run with headlights on if out of town as I can guarantee my car is more visible with them on. I have been pulled out on on more than one occasion on A roads with near misses as a result. This could be down to the dozy driver, but if i can minimise the risk - why not?

Equally - comments referring to DRL's causing bikes etc. to become less visible is a load of tosh IMO. Id hope bikers & all road users drive 'defensively' and as such 95% of this is watching what others are doing on the road (eye contact at junctions etc.) and the addition of other lights should not interfere with this.

What's annoying is the tw@ts that have their fog lights on that assume its now okay because of cars with DRL's.

tw@ts is a little harsh. They may lack the ability to distinguish between types of precipitation perhaps OR they are under the illusion i makes their car looks more sporty (said with an american twang).

I just wish the law was upheld more stringently...

just had a guy in a qashqai frantically waving his hands and flashing his fog lights on/off in my direction. Would have loved to have given him the bird but just gave him a confused shrug. I just wish the road warriors out there who want to flash everyone would educate themselves about new cars and DRL legislation

I've never, ever, seen main beam used as you describe.

The only time I ever see the flash function used is to either indicate right of way or more often than not in aggression.

Perhaps I am wrong if I percieve it as being aggressive when it is directed at me?

However, I must be mistaken because of course...

Despite your superior road knowledge, I stand by what I say, flashing someone back who has mistaken your DRL's for fogs isn't helping, especially if I happen to be behind either you or the other driver.

Just stick your own fogs on to show them that they are not fogs but drl's

Got the same thing in my Meg 250 to the point where I had to show a clueless police officer that there were no front fog lights fitted as there was no switch on the stalk. People better get used to them as they are law soon and LED's use significantly less watage which is important as they're on all the time.