great example of why flashing lights is bad 1406

Cessna172 TH HC is quite clear on the meaning of a headlight flash. -- Cessna172 It may be. But most1 drivers are equally clear on their interpretation of a headlight flash. The Highway Code writers, and some people here, and others, are really just putting their fingers in their ears and going "la-la-la-la-I-can't-hear-you" rather loudly. If the 'official' and 'generally understood' meanings of a symbol or action have become polar opposites, Something Ought To Be Done. And if I was in charge, it would be to change the book to fit in with what the world is doing, not to try and change the world. That's probably just me though. Hamish 1No statistical evidence whatsoever. Just observation every single day. Perhaps you could tell us what warning we should use when out of range of the hooter, when headlamp flashing means, "you can go"?

Headlamp flashing doesn't just mean "you can go", it means different things according to the situation. It can mean "I am conceding priority to you" (at a junction, chicane etc.), "I will wait for you to pull out" (to someone wishing to overtake), "You can pull in now" (to someone overtaking) etc. The point is the overwhelming majority of drivers know exactly what the flashes are intending to indicate.

One thing that is absolutely certain, is that no-one with a brain would flash at someone waiting to pull out of a side road, intending it to mean "I am here", no matter what the HC says.

-- Rob