AIBU to object to headlight flashing as a way of saying thank you?

[StripyCarpets]

Am I being unreasonable in thinking that it is extremely poor form to flash your headlights as a way of indicating gratitude.
Especially if you have stupidly bright LED headlights, even when they are dimmed. Especially in the dark.

There are times when a little flash of your headlights is useful or necessary, like when you are indicating that you are allowing another car to pass, but shining a bright light in someone’s eyes is a really crap way of saying thank you.

YANBU I always worry I’ve done something wrong! It’s too ambiguous. Just got home driving in dark and rain and the extra flashing is just too much.

I completely agree. I only drive in the dark when absolutely necessary now due to bright lights.

There are times when a little flash of your headlights is useful or necessary, like when you are indicating that you are allowing another car to pass

No, no, no. Read your Highway Code.

I read a post on here once where someone said they had taken to switching their lights off and on instead of flashing brights. I have tried it, people seem to realise I’m still saying thank you.

A lot of people now do a flash of hazards to say thanks

I don’t think I have ever been dazzled by headlights unless they have been left on full beam for a prolonged time. A momentary flash of the headlights wouldn’t bother me.

Surely it’s no different if e.g. a car approaching you with headlights dipped goes over a bump.

Flash your hazards.
Everyone knows this surely?
You don't flash headlights unless making someone aware that you're there in order to avoid an accident, or if travelling towards you they might be alerting you to a hazard further on (big puddle; broken down car; speed camera; man with his trousers down)

I always have 50/50 guilt on this, if I flash am I blinding people, if I don’t flash, do they think I’m rude 😂

Just buy yellow lense glasses from eBay, job done.

I think you should flash your headlights to register your objection.

I flash my hazards....... I live rurally and where the loggers/tractors can see its clear and I cant, they will indicate left so I know I can pass. Its the norm round here. I always use my hazards to say thank you.

I'm wondering how old you are.
it didn’t used to bother me when I was younger, but it really does now. Of course a lot of lights are excessively bright now.

anyway OP YANBU! To anyone who thinks flashing headlights is ok - just because you personally don’t find it dazzles you doesn’t mean it’s OK. I do not consider being blinded to be a thank you gesture. And lights of any sort aren’t meant to be used for this. Just give a little wave if it’s daylight, and if it’s after dark maybe we can all take it as read that people appreciate courteous drivers?

If you flash I’d be cursing you and if you don’t flash I’ll assume you’re a sensible person who puts the other persons need to be able to see above your own qualms about what a stranger might or might not think of you. (Well… really I don’t give reasons for not flashing a second thought).

yadbu

I feel like this too so I always put my hand up even on the dark 😂😂. I’ve been saying this for years, nothing says thank you like momentary blindness 🙈🙈.

Not advised.

Is that a typo?

It’s burns the retina. I hate it and I flick mine onto full beam to explain my distaste. It’s against the Highway Code so it’s only ignorant people that do this.

I think it's fine and apparently the vast majority of drivers round my way do too as it seems to be the done thing. I've never found a little 'blip' of the lights to cause any problem, but I might start using the hazards instead having read this.

Isn't it actually illegal to do so

I agree. I mean I get the sentiment but they're enough to make you look like an x-ray these days.

So you also break the Highway Code? I can’t believe you think flicking your full beam on to deliberately blind/dazzle someone is ok in response to a quick flash of their lights thanking you for something. At least theirs was done with a good intention…

I agree. And in support of people like you and me I drove about a mile tonight with no lights on 😳

YABU. It's one of the last nods to good manners on the road. I've never noticed any issues with it.

There are way worse things to tackle, like people who don't indicate.