Anyone offended by high beam flashing?

[Wild Weasel]

I'm just curious.

In another thread, we talked about flashing high beams from behind someone to indicate you want to pass.

I use my high beams whenever I want to signal something and generally mean it in a non-offensive way.

The only time I ever use my high beams in anger is when someone is driving toward me with theirs on... I flash mine to signal them to turn them off... and they don't.

Other than that, I think of the high beams as a friendly signal. I'll use them to say "Hey, speed up or move out of the way" or to say "Hey... turn your lights on... " or "Hey, I just passed a cop" or at a stop sign to say "Go ahead" if there seems to be some confusion as to whose turn it is.

All of these things (but one) are friendly gestures.

So I wonder... would anyone interpret having high beams flashed at them as the equivilant of getting the finger? Could I be making people anxious without intending to?

Just wondering how other people interpret this. Are high beam signals generally friendly or no?

[Unoriginalusername]

i am not offended within reason. If you fly up, tailgate and then flash the lights a few times I suddenly feel inclined to drive the speed limit :chuckle

i will give a quick flick if someone has forgoten theirs are on but have been caught a few times where their headlights are miss aimed and then they put their highs on in spite and it was blinding.

will do a double flick for a cop warning, and i appreciate when others do the same .

So hard to say. can mean anything from the finger to hey watch out for the speed trap

[aris]

not me...couldn't care less if someone flashes their highs at me

[MistaChin]

IMO i'd say they're used more friendly than in a GTFO manner.

I use em all the time at stop signs or to tell others to go ahead. Someone used em on me to signal a cop was down the road (thank you whoever you are).

Only will I use them negatively if someone cuts me off and I want to blind them for a bit.

[Fobio]

Flashing your high beams while tailgating is not the same as flashing opposing traffic to warn of the po-po...

[b3GS]

ya it all depends... if someone flies right up on my ass and flashes me before I even have a chance to move over, then I don't f'n move.

if there is a reasonable amount of time.. then it's ok

[Fuman]

Sometimes, you don't realize a car is behind you until they are tail gating you.
Furthermore, I don't know if they want to pass or draft if they stay a bit too far from me.
So if someone flashes me when they are on my ass. I give them the hand (to acknowledge the flash), and let them pass. I'll speed up a little bit if I have to pass the car next to me.

[bhrm]

I'm more offended by those who are clueless and drive 24/7 with high beams on and their taillights are off

learn to use your lights!!!

i can't stand constant high beams, improperly aimed HID retrofits, and anyone who can't work their lights properly.

[Fuman]

i can't stand constant high beams, improperly aimed HID retrofits, and anyone who can't work their lights properly.you forgot to mention people with HID w/ any type of retrofit.

[3GFX]

If I do use my high beams I prefer to do it from a distance coming, that way the car in front kinda of knows and can judge my speed and knows I'm moving faster than they are. I don't like tailgaters so I don't sit on anyone's tail or flash them.

One thing I liked in Europe that I saw and used on the autobahn is keeping your left signal light flashing in the left lane, indicating your in a great hurry.

I don't think its impolite, I think that people just don't understand how to use the left lane. Technically even the middle lane shouldn't be used unless passing. Can I also mention a major problem being many people don't know how to bloody merge!

[Fobio]

One thing I liked in Europe that I saw and used on the autobahn is keeping your left signal light flashing in the left lane, indicating your in a great hurry.

+1 ...thanks!

MODS: when are we gonna have the "thanks" button? :)

[bhrm]

you forgot to mention people with HID w/ any type of retrofit.

yes and that too.

HIDs belong in projector housings with proper cut offs and levelling.

Not in a traditional 1970's ancient standard halogen housing that blasts light everywhere.

[yearoftherat]

i am not offended within reason. If you fly up, tailgate and then flash the lights a few times I suddenly feel inclined to drive the speed limit :chuckle

i will give a quick flick if someone has forgoten theirs are on but have been caught a few times where their headlights are miss aimed and then they put their highs on in spite and it was blinding.

will do a double flick for a cop warning, and i appreciate when others do the same .

So hard to say. can mean anything from the finger to hey watch out for the speed trap


+1

I see see a lot of people flashing their highs flying up peoples asses on Denison on their way to work . If someone flashes me from behind I just slow down to the speed limit or go the same speed as the guy beside me just to box the guy behind me...

[Fuman]

yes and that too.

HIDs belong in projector housings with proper cut offs and levelling.

Not in a traditional 1970's ancient standard halogen housing that blasts light everywhere.
I've a few RSX/Civics in my area which have these lights.

I actually knew someone that did this. I tried talking some sense into him, but it didn't work. I told his parents, and at the age of 19 he got a traditional Chinese feather duster treatment. He took it out the day after.

[Fuman]

+1

I see see a lot of people flashing their highs flying up peoples asses on Denison on their way to work . If someone flashes me from behind I just slow down to the speed limit or go the same speed as the guy beside me just to box the guy behind me...

what if I tailgate, flash and back off a little bit?
Am i shit out of luck?

[Wild Weasel]

+1

I see see a lot of people flashing their highs flying up peoples asses on Denison on their way to work . If someone flashes me from behind I just slow down to the speed limit or go the same speed as the guy beside me just to box the guy behind me...

Even if they're not tailgating? I will flash people when I'm well enough back just so they know I'm coming in quicker than they're going.

[Fobio]

Even if they're not tailgating? I will flash people when I'm well enough back just so they know I'm coming in quicker than they're going.

lol...in the MS3, you'd be flashing ppl all day long...:chuckle

[Unoriginalusername]

Even if they're not tailgating? I will flash people when I'm well enough back just so they know I'm coming in quicker than they're going.

its not the autobahn.... 1) most people in ON aren't even looking at their rearview mirrors to have an idea that anyone is around them 2) they are on their cell phone and have no idea that they drove past their exit 10min ago 3) do see your lights and take it as an insult and will either slow down, brake check you, flash you back, follow you for a long time with the brights on all the time or some other sort of road rage with only the minority peacfully moving over and carrying on in a non offended way

[sp3GT]

I'm more offended by those who are clueless and drive 24/7 with high beams on and their taillights are off

learn to use your lights!!!

i can't stand constant high beams, improperly aimed HID retrofits, and anyone who can't work their lights properly.


I hate that too, I drive a lot on the 401 and there's always people with high beams as regular lights.

When I get flashed on the highway with someone tailgating me I usually flash back, and my highbeams are Yellow too!

[bunchi]

i cool with flashing high beams, be it from oncoming traffic or behind me. so far the people who flashed their high beams at me wanted to warn me about something, say a cop with a radar ahead, or I was almost going to turn onto a street where i'm not allowed to because of new no left turn rules in some places. a flash or two is usually a friendly one... continuous flashes might mean something else... and that person is one :AH so I don't give a sh!t and just let them do what they want.

[-RJ3-]

ITs strange, I get high beamed at times, and some drivers my guess think HIDs are my high beams. my HIDs are well aimed, so I dont see why I get the flick. (keep your humorous jokes to yourself LOL)

[x_o_k_x]

anyone notice that when you blink with high beams your HIDs turn on as well?

[-RJ3-]

Yes... its the macguyver mod LOL!!!!, but only in the daytime. At night your HIDs are already on so you will notice the Highbeams only turn on.

[stormin84]

the worst is when the person coming in the opposite direction turns on their high beams and leaves them on , because they think that you have your high beams on. just flash me if you think i have them on (if you leave them on, i'll turn mine on back at ya)

[x_o_k_x]

the worst is when the person coming in the opposite direction turns on their high beams and leaves them on , because they think that you have your high beams on. just flash me if you think i have them on (if you leave them on, i'll turn mine on back at ya)

worst is when ricers buy HID kits for ther car and shine at you like a spot light and cant see where you going..and they think its cool:complain

[fini]

The road which I take to and from Collingwood for snowboarding, it doesn't have street lights so people in opposing direction just use constant high beams.... Blinds me when they are oncoming, blinds me as they are passing and another 5-10 second blinding after they pass me so that my eyes can re-adjust..

dangerous as hell with snow / ice since the road is just 2 lanes and then ditches on either side. A lot of times the road is semi snow / ice covered, so i get really scared cause from the point when i see the car to the point where i can see again, is probably a good 15-20 seconds of driving blind... i have to put on my 4-ways and not use throttle.

I hate people who can't control their lights properly!!!! etiquette people!! Etiquette!!!

Other than that... flash me to tell me to move out of the way on the highway. no problems here. Usually you don't have to and i see you coming on my rearview anyway.

[Unoriginalusername]

The road which I take to and from Collingwood for snowboarding, it doesn't have street lights so people in opposing direction just use constant high beams.... Blinds me when they are oncoming, blinds me as they are passing and another 5-10 second blinding after they pass me so that my eyes can re-adjust..

dangerous as hell with snow / ice since the road is just 2 lanes and then ditches on either side. A lot of times the road is semi snow / ice covered, so i get really scared cause from the point when i see the car to the point where i can see again, is probably a good 15-20 seconds of driving blind... i have to put on my 4-ways and not use throttle.

I hate people who can't control their lights properly!!!! etiquette people!! Etiquette!!!

Other than that... flash me to tell me to move out of the way on the highway. no problems here. Usually you don't have to and i see you coming on my rearview anyway.

poplar side rd?

[ZeroChalk]

Can't say i ever ran in to the problem going to and from blue.

If someone is flying down the lane and I'm in their way I'll move over. Tailgate me and flash your highlights like a MOFO.... I'll slow down.

[fini]

highway 10 north all the way through orangeville and then 124 / 24 all the way to collingwood.

i'm not talking about the highway 10 stretch since that's still like a 4 lane road.

but the second stretch where lanes are relatively narrow with lots of snow drifts.

[mleblond]

I never flash my headlights when creeping up on a car in the left lane because most people take it as an insult. And like most of you said, would slow down.

I drive so much highway and honestly nobody looks at their rear view mirror. It's frustrating for me to sit there and wait for you to notice me. Most the time I have to pass them on the right which I don't like. left lane is for passing. I feel like I should be an ass hole and "wake them up" with flashing lights. Also I usually stay in the right lane and pass people that live in the left lane :chuckle the look on their faces is priceless and usually move to the right after.

But I flash for cops all the time, also flash transport trucks to pass/change lane.

I am not afraid to flash or honk! :chuckle

[MSMitch]

the worst is when the person coming in the opposite direction turns on their high beams and leaves them on , because they think that you have your high beams on. just flash me if you think i have them on (if you leave them on, i'll turn mine on back at ya)

When I get blinded by people like that it makes me miss my old Jeep - had 2 sets of fogs and Hella off-road lights - one blast from those puppies and you could pretty much see right through the guys car!

If I am coming up behind someone I try to flash a few cars lengths and ONLY if I se ethey have space to pull over - but yeah, most of the time, they are on the phone or reaching for their Starbucks!!! For some reaosn, the best car I drove that got people to pull aside was with a Mercedes C280 - I think it was the big chunky rectagular lights...

[Thrizzl3]

i can understand HID headlights are bright but when people mistake it for highbeams and they start highbeaming you because it is shining in their face what am i to do? i just highbeam them back showing that its not my highbeams and not to look directly into my headlights like an idiot

[x_o_k_x]

i can understand HID headlights are bright but when people mistake it for highbeams and they start highbeaming you because it is shining in their face what am i to do? i just highbeam them back showing that its not my highbeams and not to look directly into my headlights like an idiot

no they dont mistaken, they highbeam because it shines in their eyes. Thats if your headlights aimed to high or you have big glare problems. In that case you need to adjust your headlights

[Thrizzl3]

no they dont mistaken, they highbeam because it shines in their eyes. Thats if your headlights aimed to high or you have big glare problems. In that case you need to adjust your headlights

i've since adjusted them so i don't get that anymore but as for those people without the projectors:whoa

back on topic: i hate when people are behind you and they forget that their highbeams are on and then you try to look in your mirrors you can't see anything because you are blinded by the light. is it true that if you tilt your rearview mirror up that the light shines to the driver behind you that they are blinding you?

[openuser]

I only use high-beam to tell the other driver "You drive like an Ass"..
Mostly along with swear words from my mouth

But I do flash to warn oncoming people of police though..

[Dante]

Mostly along with swear words from my mouth


This ****ing made me laugh hard. Thank you!

[She_Prime]

I only use high-beam to tell the other driver "You drive like an Ass"..
Mostly along with swear words from my mouth

But I do flash to warn oncoming people of police though..

My ex once flashed a cop to tell him about a cop. Boy was he embarrassed. :blush

[jaimie08mazda3]

i flash people if they cut me off or i see cops. or if there is alot of traffic or something. or for the most obvious reason. if you have your high beams off and see me and dont give a shit. that i hate soo much.

[whiteomega]

i flashed my high beams several times at an idiot on the 404 yesterday...it's midnight, and he's driving on the highway in the passing lane at 100 km...with his lights off (DRLs only).

i don't generally take offense to someone who flashes their high beams from behind me

[jaimie08mazda3]

ive seen taht too. when your driving down a country road and all of the sudden there is a car with no lights. your like woah holy shit. scares the living shit out of you

[alhope34]

I used to flash to get people sitting in the left to move over when I first started driving my dad's Yaris. That was until someone with a Lexus LX470 SUV forced me off the 401 and onto the left shoulder. I ended up passing him again a few minutes later and one of my friends sprayed silly string out the window all over his windshield, so all was evened out. :)


When I see someone with their lights off i turn my lights off then back on again. I'll do it again 20-30 seconds later if they dont turn their lights on.

When people go in my lane infront of me with no signals, I flash them then flick my signals left and right really fast 6 or 8 times. Once when I did this in MTL the guy waved sorry to me and started using his signals, lol. I didn't think it would ever actually work..

[cosic]

When people frantically use them, yes. I never get high beamed, because I pay attention on the 360 degrees of my car. I'm very courteous..

[McGuyver_3]

i use my highs for telling people i want to pass them if they are doing 100 or less in the fast lane. and i also like to warn people about cops. when people highbeam me because they are pissed that i highed them it doesnt bother me at all i have auto diming mirrors on all 3 mirrors and tints so highbeam me all you want i dont care lol you are wasting your breath

[Malcolm991]

I dont flash people because I feel it's just a waste of time. I dont bother because people are just blind so I just pass those morons on the right. As for me I usually notice people in my rear veiw so I dont get flashed!