# High-Beam Flicking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 18, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883 "2003-08-18T02:41:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LucysLogic101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19b73/32.png) [@LucysLogic101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucysLogic101)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/1 "2003-08-18T02:41:53Z")
Sounds dirty, doesn’t it? the question came to my mind after i’d read [this question from Return of the Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_137.html). So I understand the point of high beams on a car. And [in my car], they can be flipped on by one of two sticks (forgive my improper terminology) attached to the steering wheel column (more detailed description: the High beam control also controls my windshield wipers…anyhoo). So if i push the stick forward, the high beams are on. If i pull the stick back, its like hitting “pulse” on a blender, i can flick them at someone as i drive by. That’s my question - why can i flick them back? I mean, was it as obvious as “well, if you need to flick your lights at someone…”? Or is there some other reason? I just can’t see the car manufacturers sitting in a meeting, discussing this: “Well look, if it ends up that you’re driving behind someone with a murderer in their back seat, you have to let them know…” “But won’t someone thing it’s a ‘Gang thing’?”… 😉 okay, so maybe i _can_ picture it… seriously though. whats the deal? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/2 "2003-08-18T02:51:27Z")
The majopr use of flicking high-beams on and off quickly is to remind approaching drivers to turn _their_ high-beams off. As much as to say “Hey, numbnuts, kill the brights, they’re blinding me!” ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/3 "2003-08-18T02:53:09Z")
They’re made with the flick option so that you can signal to other people. Probably the most common use is when asking someone who’s ahead of you in the passing lane to let you buy. Another use would be letting a car that’s just passed you know that it’s safe to pull back in ahead of you. ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/4 "2003-08-18T02:55:48Z")
Can also mean: - Hi! - Feck you! - Turn your lights on! (I get this one often :smack: ) - Wanna race? (apparently…) ---
**Author:** ![benthames](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58f4c7/32.png) [@benthames](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benthames)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/5 "2003-08-18T02:55:53Z")
You are supposed to flash your high beams at someone if you want to pass them at night. Most people don’t though, and the world suffers for it. Besides, when you do flash your high beams like that, most people think you are being rude, when if fact you are warning them (politely) that you about to make them choke on your exhaust. By the way, **LucysLogic** , love the signature. LOLA RULES!!! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/6 "2003-08-18T03:06:08Z")
The practice of turning high beams on-and-off to signal other drivers has been around a long time. The spring-loaded switches that let one do this very efficiently are relatively recent. ---
**Author:** ![daniel801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@daniel801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daniel801)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/7 "2003-08-18T03:34:14Z")
Actually, on my car when I do the pullback “pulsable” option, it allows BOTH my hibeam and regularbeam lights to be on at the same time, giving great visibility. ---
**Author:** ![Sqube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Sqube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sqube)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/8 "2003-08-18T03:34:36Z")
I’ve also seen people do this to warn if there are police cruisers in the area. I don’t know how relevant that is, but hey… ---
**Author:** ![cheesepickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/57b2e6/32.png) [@cheesepickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheesepickles)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/9 "2003-08-18T03:40:38Z")
I can second Sqube’s sentiment. I remember driving on the turnpike one time during the day and many cars on the other side, heading in the opposite direction, were flashing their high-beams. It must have been to signal for speed traps ans such… ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/10 "2003-08-18T03:55:20Z")
It should be added that on a lot of cars that have the flick/pulse option (usually when pulling the lever towards yourself), this ALSO flashes your high beams when the headlights arn’t on to begin with. I’m not sure if this is the same on all cars, but try it. ---
**Author:** ![LucysLogic101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19b73/32.png) [@LucysLogic101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucysLogic101)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/11 "2003-08-18T04:41:38Z")
yeah, thats how it is on mine ---
**Author:** ![LucysLogic101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19b73/32.png) [@LucysLogic101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucysLogic101)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/12 "2003-08-18T04:46:41Z")
yeah, thats how it is on mine ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/13 "2003-08-18T11:23:16Z")
Also means get out of the left lane and let the faster traffic through. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/14 "2003-08-18T11:51:44Z")
If you consult your owners’ manual, you’ll probably find that this “feature” is called the “flash to pass” switch or lever or indicator or whatever. That’s what it’s for, just a momentary turning-on of the high-beams. It’s _supposed_ to work even if your headlights aren’t on. Imagine you’re going down a two lane country road. To pass by going into the oncoming traffic lane you use your turn signal like a good citizen. But, the guy you’re passing doesn’t know if you’re passing or turning. Flick the lights, and he’s supposed to know that you’re going to attempt to pass him. Similarly on the freeway, it’s supposed to request the idiot on the cell phone driving 60mph to get out of the left lane. The result, sadly, is usually a flick of the middle finger in return. If everyone used their flash to pass lights, then everyone would know what it means and we wouldn’t all be angry with each other on the road any more. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2003, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/15 "2003-08-18T12:02:56Z")
**Sqube** - I’ve seen that as well, but more usually I see people flicking their main lights on and off (so you can do this during the day as well) to signal a speed trap. As for passing, the signals I know and use are: - Flash to indicate you’re passing. I rarely do this, as it’s usually unnecessary. German drivers, though, can’t get enough of flashing their high-beams at you. - Flash to indicate it’s safe for a passing car to go back to your lane. I rarely see anyone do this except for truckers. With a normal car, it’s easy to tell how much clearance you have. With a truck it’s a bit more difficult, so I’ll always flash if I’m in a slow vehicle and a truck passes me. - Putting your hazards on for a couple of seconds is the customary way to say “thank you” to the person you’ve just passed (if they’ve been polite). Used mostly by truckers. - Occassionaly, trucks will signal to you when it’s safe for you to pass by putting on their turn signal. I’ve encountered this a lot in hillier sections of Austria and Germany where I have little visibility to pass. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2003, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-beam-flicking/195883/16 "2003-08-18T12:05:05Z")
Sorry, I should clarify the last point. They put on their LEFT blinker to signal for you to pass. Right turn signal would mean they’re turning right soon, or going to try to get out of your way.