# Driving: Flash to Pass -- A Polite Request in the USA, or Not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2017, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677 "2017-03-21T06:16:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/41 "2017-03-21T18:52:15Z")
I think it’s fine. I prefer people pass me and if I don’t realize they are there a flash is a friendly reminder. I never want to be the fastest one on the road, that guy gets the tickets, so by all means pass me. Since it hasn’t been mentioned it’s actually illegal to flash your headlights in many places. I think it has more to do with people doing it to warn or speed traps but the same law can apply to flashing the vehicle in front of you. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/42 "2017-03-21T19:07:34Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > cite? > > mc > [@Bullitt](#): > > I have discussed this with LE, it is an interesting fact. As **Orwell** says, impeding traffic flow can be dangerous. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/43 "2017-03-21T19:10:37Z")
you’ll have to pardon me, i need further citation. i’ve talked to leos about the jfk assasination and they had some pretty “interesting” things to say. mc ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/44 "2017-03-21T19:14:22Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > you’ll have to pardon me, i need further citation. i’ve talked to leos about the jfk assasination and they had some pretty “interesting” things to say. > > mc Fine with me. If you do a search you might be able to find it. If you do please share. If I do, I will share. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/45 "2017-03-21T19:18:20Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > you’ll have to pardon me, i need further citation. i’ve talked to leos about the jfk assasination and they had some pretty “interesting” things to say. > > mc From [nolo.com](http://nolo.com)’s [page on Traffic Tickets for Driving Too Slowly](http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/beat-ticket-book/chapter7-6.html): > [@](#): > > **Driving Too Slowly in Left Lane** > > Your state’s law will say something like: > Any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle pro ceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic mov ing in the same direction at such time, and is not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation of this section. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/46 "2017-03-21T19:29:45Z")
Flashing the lights is fine. The PIT maneuver not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/47 "2017-03-21T19:38:00Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > cite? > > mc [http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html](http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html) > [@](#): > > The Uniform Vehicle Code states: > > ``` > Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic ... > > ``` > > This law refers to the “normal” speed of traffic, not the “legal” speed of traffic. The 60 MPH driver in a 55 MPH zone where everybody else is going 65 MPH must move right. Most states follow this uniform code, though it appears that AK, MD, NC, OH and SD do not. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/48 "2017-03-21T19:39:18Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > From [nolo.com](http://nolo.com)’s [page on Traffic Tickets for Driving Too Slowly](http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/beat-ticket-book/chapter7-6.html): except\*\* bullit \*\*made the claim that you can get a ticket is travelling at the speed limit [QUOTE=Bullit] . . .You can actually get a ticket if you are doing the limit in the passing lane . . . [/QUOTE] and i wanna see the cite! but i wont hold my breath! mc ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/49 "2017-03-21T19:41:40Z")
I use the flash-to-pass if I’m coming up behind someone who’s moving slower than me in the left lane, but IME, most drivers in the Midwest either (a) have no clue of what the flash is meant to communicate, (b) don’t notice it, or (c) don’t care, as nothing short of a [Mad Max-style plow](http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user3303/imageroot/2014/09-overflow/20140829_madmax5.jpg) is going to dislodge them from the left lane. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/50 "2017-03-21T19:43:12Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > except\*\* bullit \*\*made the claim that you can get a ticket is travelling at the speed limit > > and i wanna see the cite! but i wont hold my breath! > > mc Laws are written outlining what is illegal. PA’s driving code indicates that you must keep right except a) to pass; b) to move over to allow merging traffic; or c) when you are preparing to use an upcoming left-hand exit. There is no mention of speed limits at all, which mean they are irrelevant to the keep-right law. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/51 "2017-03-21T19:56:31Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > [State "keep right" laws](http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html) > > Most states follow this uniform code, though it appears that AK, MD, NC, OH and SD do not. interesting document. many of the links in it do not work for me. and the ones i read were limited to certain roads during certain situations. . .but it does seem as if there are circumstances where one might get a ticket doing the limit in the left lane. ignorance fought!(mine) thank you. mc ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/52 "2017-03-21T22:27:32Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > Well, if you are stuck in GWB traffic, it wouldn’t surprise me if things are slightly different :). I don’t get up that way very often. While there is a park under it (Ft Lee side) where you can marvel at its beauty, traffic is never fun. Its never fun anywhere in the state and I’ve been in it all. _I just deleted about 20 ‘popular’ traffic jam times/places in state that would make you cringe._ That Said, I promise that I will update my status when Christie is either impeached or [del]rolled[/del] run out of Trenton. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/53 "2017-03-21T23:09:39Z")
I’m not familiar with this practice, as people tend to drive wherever they want to and as fast as they want to, both here in Minnesota and in California. I tend to drive the speed limit in the slow lane, and literally everybody passes me. Usually on the left, but there have been exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/54 "2017-03-21T23:53:55Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > I see it as a polite way to ask for a pass. I think the local drivers see it as me screaming at the top of my lungs, “get the fuck out of the way, asshole” (that’s partly what’s going through my mind :)) and get resentful. > > I rarely get flashed because I’ve seen you coming and probably already gotten out of your way. But if you do flash me, know that I’ll get over there just as soon as I can. Your last point is what puts me in the “it’s rude” camp. I am getting over as soon as I safely can but I’m not going to go 80+ to roar around someone I am passing. It doesn’t help that the flashers are almost always Masshole tailgaters. But even if it weren’t, I find it alarming, aggressive and rude. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/55 "2017-03-22T01:00:27Z")
In 1984, a man wrote a letter to the Washington Post in which he described his technique for driving on the notoriously clogged DC Beltway: > [@](#): > > “On divided highways I drive in the left lane with my cruise control set at the speed limit of 55 miles per hour because it is usually the smoothest lane. I avoid slower traffic coming in and out from the right and I avoid resetting the cruise control with every lane change. Why should I inconvenience myself for someone who wants to speed?” [This WaPo article](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1999/02/28/nestoring-revisited/798322d2-ee85-48ac-ad5b-3e6fca6dd145/) from 1999 continues… > [@](#): > > From the letters that followed in response, you might have thought the doctor was an ax murderer. His driving practices were described as “illegal,” “dangerous,” “arrogant” and “putative vigilantism.” > … > The argument is as circular as the Beltway. Nestorer: I am entitled to the left lane, for which I pay taxes. Anti-Nestorer: It is illegal for slow traffic to drive in the left lane. Nestorer: It is illegal to drive at over 55 mph, which is the speed I am traveling. The man’s name was John O. Nestor, and in the DC area the practice became known as “Nestoring.” He continued doing it until his death in 1999 (of renal failure, not a car accident or someone else’s road rage). Here’s [his Wikipedia entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nestor). On that Wiki page is a link to [another WaPo article](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/10/21/DI2008102100590.html)about left-lane driving and light flashing that discusses Nestor in some depth. And here’s an earlier column about left-lane driving from the same columnist: [The Left Lane: The Other Side.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/22/AR2008102203245.html) ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/56 "2017-03-22T03:18:43Z")
You guys should spend some time driving the roads of Thailand. You’d never complain about U.S. drivers again. Thailand has the 2nd highest traffic fatalities per capita in the world (although it’s a distant 2nd behind #1 Libya). Flashing lights as an overtaking signal is common here, though (a) most drivers seldom check their mirrors, (b) many drivers respond by speeding up to make it harder for you to pass, and © some drivers have a handgun in their glove compartment for when they get annoyed. On some roads there will be an extra slow lane for 100 meters or so to facilitate passing but (a) slow drivers never pull over into that lane, and (b) about the only rule-of-the-road drivers _do_ follow here is not to use that “slow lane” for passing. Therefore most passing is accomplished by pulling into the opposite-direction lane. On-coming traffic is no hindrance — those drivers are expected to veer onto the shoulder to get out of the passer’s way. I once got a flat tire when an oncoming truck did that to me (and he wasn’t even passing anyone; he just found it convenient to drive down the middle of a two-lane road). My nephew wasn’t so lucky: he’s permanently scarred, in an incident where another passenger was killed. Whereas many in this thread are complaining about wanting to go 70 mph when another driver is going only 60 or 65 mph; in Thailand the speed variations are much greater. In addition to those going 60 or 70, some drivers will be going 100 or more, some 30 or 40, and some going in the reverse direction, when it’s inconvenient to cross into the proper lane. Anecdotes galore, but I’ll just repeat an amazing incident that has stuck in my memory from about 20 years ago. (One piece of good news is that driving skills have improved somewhat since then.) I was travelling northbound on the Asia Highway north of Bangkok. A truck and I were using both of the two northbound lanes; he was going 65, I’m 70 and passing him. Suddenly in the rear-view mirror I see two cars coming up _Fast.__ **Very fast.** _ I want to get in the slow lane out of their way and wonder: Should I speed up and pull in in front of the truck? Or slow down and get behind him? Before I’d had time to consider, the cars were upon us. One raced past in the left-hand shoulder. The other car raced past in the right-hand shoulder. These are very narrow un-maintained shoulders, not “extra lanes.” In just a moment both cars were out of sight ahead of us — they must have been going 140 mph at least. I wish I had that on film. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/57 "2017-03-22T05:18:46Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I suspect you are misremembering that. The horn is suppose to be reserved to alert people of danger. In Ohio, it’s actually still the law that you have to honk when passing someone across the yellow line (not in another lane going the same direction, though). Nobody does it. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/58 "2017-03-28T00:44:57Z")
Making the rounds on FB, from the Rhode Island State Police and appropo to this discussion: > **[Log into Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandStatePolice/photos/a.375416965820172.96329.333392583355944/1011137102248152/?type=3)** > > Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/59 "2017-03-28T00:57:49Z")
Virginia traffic code: § 46.2-842.1. Drivers to give way to certain overtaking vehicles on divided highways. It shall be unlawful to fail to give way to overtaking traffic when driving a motor vehicle to the left and abreast of another motor vehicle on a divided highway. On audible or light signal, the driver of the overtaken vehicle shall move to the right to allow the overtaking vehicle to pass as soon as the overtaken vehicle can safely do so. A violation of this section shall not be construed as negligence per se in any civil action. So in Virginia, it’s actually the law that you are supposed to move right if someone flashes their lights. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677/60 "2017-03-28T01:02:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I suspect you are misremembering that. The horn is suppose to be reserved to alert people of danger. In Maryland driver’s ed I learned to toot the horn if passing on a two-lane road to make sure the driver was aware of me passing. (This would be just silly to do on a road with more than one lane in the same direction.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-flash-to-pass-a-polite-request-in-the-usa-or-not/782677.md?page=4)