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Original poster

Head lights

94 replies

erikbloodaxe · 05/12/2023 17:01

If you drive when it's dark and flash your headlights to say thank you to another driver for waiting while you pass parked cars or similar, Please Stop.

It's not helpful, you are blinding other drivers and it's dangerous.

Pisses me right off......every fucking time!

OP posts:
Oakbeam · 05/12/2023 17:05

The chance of our paths ever crossing is remote. So, I’m going to carry on doing it.

It’s polite.

Justcallmebebes · 05/12/2023 17:10

Oakbeam · 05/12/2023 17:05

The chance of our paths ever crossing is remote. So, I’m going to carry on doing it.

It’s polite.

I agree. It's a momentary flash and if it's to thank a driver for giving way, the chances are other cars facing you will be stationary, surely?

GrazingSheep · 05/12/2023 17:14

It’s not polite. It’s dangerous.

Verv · 05/12/2023 17:15

If it's dark rather than flash headlights I flash my hazards.
Less blinding.

judgedreadful · 05/12/2023 17:16

Most drivers understand a quick flash for thank you. I do it and I'll still keep doing it.

molly1995 · 05/12/2023 17:17

I would take that any evening over the new trend with oversized cars that sit higher up permanently blinding drivers- most of the time you would genuinely think they had their full beam on. Usually Chelsea tractor types

HereForTheFreeLunch · 05/12/2023 17:17

This is such a catch 22. Another driver may be annoyed at not being thanked.

I try and flash as I am close to passing so they can see the light change but not blinded - at least that's the hope. I may be blinding some other poor sod though.

Raspberrymoon49 · 05/12/2023 17:20

Agree with you @molly1995, they’re blinding and bloody dangerous, especially if approaching on an incline, I genuinely can’t see for a few seconds and roads are dominated by cars with these now, what a stupid invention

JL690 · 05/12/2023 17:21

I think the headlights on most new cars are outrageously bright without having to be flashed, so I can see where OP is coming from. But flashing to say thank you is a habit I have too.

grass67 · 05/12/2023 17:21

Hazard light here too. I can't drive at night anymore as the headlights are blinding.
People think they are safer, but I'm more likely to hit them whilst temporarily blinded.

EllaPaella · 05/12/2023 17:22

molly1995 · 05/12/2023 17:17

I would take that any evening over the new trend with oversized cars that sit higher up permanently blinding drivers- most of the time you would genuinely think they had their full beam on. Usually Chelsea tractor types

Agreed

Original poster
erikbloodaxe · 05/12/2023 17:24

Why say thank you if you know it will blind someone? It is no longer courteous it's rude.

OP posts:
Fumnudge · 05/12/2023 17:25

I often do a quick dip of my headlights (when safe to do).

Babybearissleeping · 05/12/2023 17:27

Hmmm tend to agree although in the day I do thank drivers with my hand so feel rude in the dark.

Why are new cars headlights so so bright? I feel like I'm permanently being blinded. Electric cars seem particularly bad, maybe the drivers constantly have full beam on without knowing??

Kayte198999 · 05/12/2023 17:31

I'm another one who doesn't understand why the new headlights are so bright. When some cars go over bumps in the road the lights are so bright that it looks like they're flashing to give way but they're not. Which is even more dangerous than flashing on purpose

Verv · 05/12/2023 17:32

Babybearissleeping · 05/12/2023 17:27

Hmmm tend to agree although in the day I do thank drivers with my hand so feel rude in the dark.

Why are new cars headlights so so bright? I feel like I'm permanently being blinded. Electric cars seem particularly bad, maybe the drivers constantly have full beam on without knowing??

They've changed to xenon or LED in modern cars - much brighter.

I regularly get flashed nowadays by people thinking ive got my full beams on, I havent!

SgtBilko · 05/12/2023 17:36

Oakbeam · 05/12/2023 17:05

The chance of our paths ever crossing is remote. So, I’m going to carry on doing it.

It’s polite.

It isn’t polite. It can be confusing but also dazzling oncoming driver. It’s really not a safe thing to do.

grass67 · 05/12/2023 17:36

@Verv They might be flashing you because they are pissed off with being blinded by you?
My friend high beams people with modern lights as she's tired of being blinded by them.

They should be regulated, I have very pale blue eyes and apparently it's much worse for blue eyes. The fact that I can't drive at night is so annoying.

NannyGythaOgg · 05/12/2023 17:41

Rather than flashing lights a momentarily switch mine off. Less than a second. Doesn't affect vision and no chance of blinding anyone.

Original poster
erikbloodaxe · 05/12/2023 17:47

@grass67

I have blue eyes too, I'm photosensitive and wear prescription glasses with an anti glare coating which is a game changer for night time driving. Until some twat flashes me 'In gratitude'. It hurts!

OP posts:
Verv · 05/12/2023 18:00

grass67 · 05/12/2023 17:36

@Verv They might be flashing you because they are pissed off with being blinded by you?
My friend high beams people with modern lights as she's tired of being blinded by them.

They should be regulated, I have very pale blue eyes and apparently it's much worse for blue eyes. The fact that I can't drive at night is so annoying.

Yes, that's what I was getting at.

However, if your friend is constantly high-beaming people with modern lights when they dont have their headlights on, then she's a massive twat who is deliberately going out of her way to blind people, unlike those who are simply driving a modern car.

grass67 · 05/12/2023 18:01

I think that's the main point Op if you're not sensitive to the lights, you probably don't understand. Maybe those who are Ok are more brown eyed?

For me the bright light cause a huge glare around the bulb and streaking out from it. This take a while to go. it's distracting and frankly dangerous.

I wear contacts mainly so don't want to switch to antiglare, as I'm on the cusp of bifocals now 🙄😫 Day driving it is.

Dilbertian · 05/12/2023 18:06

I'm brown eyed and I agree with the OP. Flash your hazards if you want to show your thanks. That's what drivers do to thank those behind them. In any case, flashing headlights to thank people is against the Highway Code.

Head lights
Glarptip · 05/12/2023 18:09

"Flashing" in darkness is done by momentarily switching the headlights off.

SnowyMcSnowball · 05/12/2023 18:11

It's been driver etiquette since forever. I'd be pissed off if someone didn't flash me to say thanks. Hardly blinding, it's a 2 second flash 🙄🙄

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