Motoring question

[woopflying]

Driving in Germany when some flashes his headlights at you it means -get out of the bloody way,stupid-, in the UK or that part where I live it means -after you-, how is it in the US?

Comments

[jompyshy]

The only time anyone's ever flashed me (hehe) was when they knew that there was a cop upahead, and they were warning me to slow down.

That, and if they're behind me, it means, "Get out of the bloody way, stupid."

[cats_are_snakes]

Ditto to both meanings.

[00hshiny]

It typically means 'there's a cop up ahead, look out' or 'turn your lights on'. Occasionally, if you're both at a stop, you'll flash to let the other driver go, but it's usually the first two.

[starsail]

If they are behind you it's get out of the way. It they're coming towards you it's either your brights are on or you have no lights on. At least on the East Coast that's what it means.

[joaniecrumpet]

It's what it means in England, too!

In the fast lane of A-roads, it's like "Get out of my way, you're only doing 80 mph!"

And I'm aways getting flashed to tell me I've forgotten to turn my lights on...durr.

[mrs_ralph]

It either means 'dim your headlamps' or 'it is safe to pull in after overtaking/passing' depending on the circumstances. It is common courtesy to flash your headlamps on and off at large trucks (semis) when they pass you to let them know it is safe for them to come back into the regular lane. At night other drivers will tap their headlamps from regular to bright and back again to remind drivers in the oncoming lane to dim their headlamps in traffic.

Typically a horn honk means 'get out of the way' and can be a ticketable offense (depending on the state) and in some states you are expected to honk your horn to warn other drivers before proceeding if you are at a 'blind' intersection.

[mrs_ralph]

Don't ask me... my dad, a truck driver, taught me that when he taught me to drive. Once a semi has passed you and has room enough to pull in front of you, you flick your headlamps on and off once to let him know he has room to get back in. I suppose it is difficult for them to see sometimes especially at night or in bad weather.

[evilshell]

n the UK, aggressive drivers will often flash their lights at you as they approach your back bumper at speed on the motorway, trying to get you to pull over and let them pass. It usually has the opposite effect on me though - I'll slow up and touch my brake pedal so the lights come on.

I live in Switzerland and drive on the German Autobahn all the time. Imagine the fun I have doing the same exact thing you do ;)

Seriously, in areas with a speed limit (or unsafe to pass) and people do that it is really dangerous. At least my method slows 'em down a bit.