If I remember rightly the newer version of the Highway Code says that the only time it is acceptable to use your hazard warning lights whilst moving is to to attract the attention of drivers behind you where you can see there is a jam ahead on a motorway/dual carriageway, I think that previously it said you should only use them to warn that you are stationary.
One site that I visit insists that you have your hazard warning lights on at all times whilst on site for health & safety reasons. It's a bit of a nuisance when you come to a junction on the site road as you can't give an indication of where you intend to go to others and vice versa. I wonder how long it will be before that causes an accident?
Quote: Originally posted by arc systems on 22/6/2008
Well nice to see most posts agree with being polite and flashing people in or out or whatever.
Flashing started in the late 60's when manufactures fitted a means of doing it, drivers then developed the 'flash' to mean something to the majority of themselves.
Somewhere along the line I remember the news telling me I was wrong to flash someone to give them the right of way, in other words 'I'll wait here until you go' so there in no doubt of my intentions and we all get on with the minimum of fuss I was told a flash means I'M HERE AND I'M NOT STOPPING, er no, that's full beam blazing not a quick couple of flashes and entirely different, as different as indicating right or left is entirely different. For years after many of us just ignored it and carried on but somehow it rarely happen anymore, flashing a truck in perhaps the only one?
What I've often wondered since is which prat with some power at the time didn't understand this simple bit of home grown courtesy and managed to turn everything on it's head to suit their way of thinking???
I don't travel the motorways as much as I did but if you find yourself thundering up to a jam or whatever, it became common practice to slip the hazards on when you needed to brake really hard. I've not yet heard anything on the news but I hope this is not been banned? it's another bit of commonsense use that seems simple enough to understand to me!
Or am I going to be told this really means the car in front is about to split in two!!!
Post last edited on 22/06/2008 23:52:38
Yep, trouble ahead and I can see it the hazards go on to warn others that there is a problem, if you watch Police stop etc you will see that this is still very much common practice. I also had rise to use them for this very reason on our Journey down to Leamington last month, it is amazing how swiftly traffic is controlled by this means and is certainly a practice I will continue to use.
That's silly - surely use of headlights would be more sensible? As you say, when the hazards are on the indicators can't be used. That's why folk are wrong who use hazards on a vehicle being towed.
To the best of my knowledge, in the last 10 years there has not been any change to situations where hazards should be used.
They are:
On any single carriageway road - When blocking the carriageway in an emergency such as a breakdown or accident. (If the vehicle is parked they are not needed - you shouldn't be on the pavement, on yellow lines, too close to the junction or whatever anyway)
On motorways or dual carriageways because of the higher speeds involved - blocking carriageway or on hard shoulder due to breakdown or accident, also when you have to slow down very quickly due to a problem in the road ahead because it is difficult for following drivers to realise how quckly you have slowed otherwise.
Interestingly, on the subject of flashing headlights (back on topic ) - this morning we were waiting to turn right at a T junction in a 30 mph limit - to our left the speed limit changes to national about 10 yards past the junction. A car was approaching from the right, and flashed his lights. My customer said "Does that mean he's giving way to us?" I said "No - look at his speed and position signal." He was anticipating the speed limit change and accelerating quite sharply - well over 30 mph as he passed us. So his flash wasn't to tell us that he was giving way, quite the opposite.
Incidentally, I won't give a prize for guessing what make of car it was.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
I got that, lol Caz, yes the problem you had this morning was one where being able to read the other drivers vehicle was essential, generally in the same circumstances I ignore the other driver. Got caught out badly in a similair situation when I first passed my test and learnt the hard way! OUCH!!!!
Incidentally I agree with your first comment although I think use of a flashing amber beacon on the roof of the car would be more appropriate on a site. (-:
I am back with a volvo again & i find that people pull out on you. thinking that you have flashed them. being a volvo the lights are on all the time & with all the bumpy roads it looks like your flashing them. so the moral of the story is. don't pull out if it as a volvo badge.
read the road & other cars speed then make a decision. better to be safe then sorry.
i always wait until they flash me twice ,showing their intentions of giving way to me ..and i always always give a hand thank you in return...theres not must courtesy on the roads these days
Quote: Originally posted by gazza12345 on 23/6/2008
I am back with a volvo again & i find that people pull out on you. thinking that you have flashed them. being a volvo the lights are on all the time & with all the bumpy roads it looks like your flashing them. so the moral of the story is. don't pull out if it as a volvo badge.
read the road & other cars speed then make a decision. better to be safe then sorry.
I drive on sidelights during the day ONLY when towing.,use dipped main beams early morning,evening,and at any time when visibility is reduced by heavy rain,mist or spray.If there is thicker stuff about, On Go My Fogs.
I do NOT use sidelights during the day when not towing,I appreciate that motorcycles use lights for safety reasons,but Volvo's ?.
I used to own a Volvo and had numerous drivers flashing me to tell me my lights were on. I believe that you can get your service dealer to switch them off if he has the correct equipment to do so.
What seems to get me even more is when you pull in on a road to let someone through and they dont say thanks or anything. whatever happened to abit of common decency???
Its not just inexperienced drivers that dont flash people, I am only 20 and have been driving 2yrs but i make it habit to wave if someone gives me right of way, or to pop on the hazards if somebody lets me out or lets me back in a lane on the M-way.
So its more ignorance than anything else i think. But thats just my opinion.
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Topic: Flashing (Headlights!!!)
) - this morning we were waiting to turn right at a T junction in a 30 mph limit - to our left the speed limit changes to national about 10 yards past the junction. A car was approaching from the right, and flashed his lights. My customer said "Does that mean he's giving way to us?" I said "No - look at his speed and position signal." He was anticipating the speed limit change and accelerating quite sharply - well over 30 mph as he passed us. So his flash wasn't to tell us that he was giving way, quite the opposite.
