# \[Headlight\] Flashing. Is it cool USA? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 13, 2011, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094 "2011-12-13T22:37:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/81 "2011-12-16T18:28:43Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I see: > > (1) Tons of people driving in the left lane when they’re not passing. > > (2) A handful of people complaining about it. I see: Confirmation bias. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/82 "2011-12-16T18:35:52Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I see: > > Confirmation bias. Which is generally the case in any discussion about driving. The only solid basis for drawing conclusions about any particular driving tactic is if something is prohibited by law. And the basic fact of the matter is that driving in the left lane when you’re not passing is legal in the majority of states. So, there we go. End of discussion. If it’s not something you can get a ticket for, then you’re doing fine. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/83 "2011-12-16T18:47:24Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Which is generally the case in any discussion about driving. The only solid basis for drawing conclusions about any particular driving tactic is if something is prohibited by law. And the basic fact of the matter is that driving in the left lane when you’re not passing is legal in the majority of states. [Here’s a rundown of the “keep right” laws throughout the US](http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html). There’s a good bit of nuances in the individual laws. Explicitly, though, only 8 states prohibit using the left lane except for passing (and two more have minor exceptions), but in the vast majority, slower traffic should keep right. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/84 "2011-12-16T18:51:10Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > in the vast majority, slower traffic should keep right. And I don’t think anyone here has disputed this. But the driving nannies demand universal obeisance to some rule far more specific than this. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/85 "2011-12-16T18:58:30Z")
I don’t think it’s against the law everywhere because it’s too hard to define what the flow of traffic is and in many cases congestion is such that you need to use all lanes. Fine. But just because it’s not against the law doesn’t mean it’s not dickish and sometimes dangerous behavior. Someone camping in the left lane while not passing is often blocking people from passing. Not sure why that wouldn’t be considered inconsiderate at best. Sometimes it’s accidental, or sometimes they are being the nannies by trying to dictate the speed at which others can go. It’s easiest, safest and most predictable to just keep to the right. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/86 "2011-12-16T23:18:52Z")
Question about the meaning of “flashing” here… When I do it to signal someone, I flick my regular beams off and on again in rapid succession (usually twice–off-on-off-on). It seems that some people in the thread are talking about flashing their high beams on and off. Which is the correct way when, for example, signalling to a truck that he can move into your lane? I’ve wondered this for quite a while, actually. (Or are they considered the same?) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/87 "2011-12-16T23:36:37Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Question about the meaning of “flashing” here… > > When I do it to signal someone, I flick my regular beams off and on again in rapid succession (usually twice–off-on-off-on). It seems that some people in the thread are talking about flashing their high beams on and off. Which is the correct way when, for example, signalling to a truck that he can move into your lane? I’ve wondered this for quite a while, actually. > > (Or are they considered the same?) Either way works (but I believe we’re mostly talking about a flick of the high beams). I have heard that truck drivers generally prefer for you to turn your regular beams on and off, because flashing high beams can still be temporarily blinding and annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/88 "2011-12-17T05:38:00Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Either way works (but I believe we’re mostly talking about a flick of the high beams). I have heard that truck drivers generally prefer for you to turn your regular beams on and off, because flashing high beams can still be temporarily blinding and annoying. Yep. If the road is bumpy it can be hard to tell if the flash is legit, or just from the car hitting a bump and changing the angle the light hits the mirror. IDKW but it always makes me grin when I let a trucker in and they flick the running lights off and back on in thanks. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/89 "2011-12-17T07:17:10Z")
> [@Hbns](#): > > Yep. If the road is bumpy it can be hard to tell if the flash is legit, or just from the car hitting a bump and changing the angle the light hits the mirror. Or they’re coming around a corner with the beam aimed the wrong way. Got tripped up by that once. > [@](#): > > IDKW but it always makes me grin when I let a trucker in and they flick the running lights off and back on in thanks. Because it’s a super secret code, lol. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/90 "2011-12-17T08:59:22Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Question about the meaning of “flashing” here… > > When I do it to signal someone, I flick my regular beams off and on again in rapid succession (usually twice–off-on-off-on). It seems that some people in the thread are talking about flashing their high beams on and off. Which is the correct way when, for example, signalling to a truck that he can move into your lane? I’ve wondered this for quite a while, actually. > > (Or are they considered the same?) One flash is probably enough but twice can’t hurt. Either way the truck driver is going to understand your intent and he’s going to think that you’re a really hoopy frood. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/91 "2011-12-17T18:26:32Z")
> [@Terraplane](#): > > One flash is probably enough but twice can’t hurt. Either way the truck driver is going to understand your intent and he’s going to think that you’re a really hoopy frood. Thanks, I never know how many times to flash. So for you is it of/on or bright/normal for the flash? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/92 "2011-12-18T06:56:33Z")
If I may cut back in… I don’t run into the situation that much, but in daylight just as the semi clears you switch your lights on, then off. The driver will be watching. Well most will. At night, as long as there is no other traffic that it might confuse, I, myself would just flash my brights twice. Turning your lights completly off and back on is not a good idea at night. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Arthur\_PERRETT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3e96dc/32.png) [@Dennis\_Arthur\_PERRETT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dennis_Arthur_PERRETT)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094/93 "2011-12-18T12:31:18Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > If I may cut back in… > > I don’t run into the situation that much, but in daylight just as the semi clears you switch your lights on, then off. The driver will be watching. Well most will. > > At night, as long as there is no other traffic that it might confuse, I, myself would just flash my brights twice. Turning your lights completly off and back on is not a good idea at night. Exactly as we do in Australia. Not many car drivers are apt to it though and many don’t care, I would be the odd motorist who does it, especially around the city. Out in the country you will find motorist do it more often. Night time is rare for the driver to do it at all more so but, doing as the truckies do, a double flash is the norm. Also interesting to note that a thank you for doing so in Australia by the truckies is to indicate briefly left then briefly right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlight-flashing-is-it-cool-usa/606094.md?page=4)