Conference terri::cars_uk

I usually flash my lights for the following reasons:

	-	Facing driver has fog lights, or full beam on.
	-	What a coincidence, your driving the same car as me.
	-	What a coincidence, I used to own a car like yours.
	-	What a coincidence, Your numberplate spells my initials.
etc.

>I usually flash my lights for the following reasons:

>	-	What a coincidence, your driving the same car as me.
>	-	What a coincidence, I used to own a car like yours.
>	-	What a coincidence, Your numberplate spells my initials.
    
    
    How is anyone supposed to interpret these correctly without the aid of
    psychic powers?  Flashing for these reasons can only lead to even more
    confusion and maybe even unnecessary accidents........

Sorry, I should have put a smiley face on it. The reply was based on another
reply saying "What a coincidence"

I don't REALLY flash for those reasons.

The point is, conveying a message using a flasher is very difficult.

There is also the scenario of flashing someone accidentally, and then flashing
them again to say that you didn't mean the first flash. A bit like trying to
scribble out a full stop.

    I must say I thought it was a bit far-fetched! That's what prompted the
    reply.
    
    I don't think you'll ever get people to flash for the same reasons, but
    I think if you are flashed, the best thing to do as said in an earlier
    note, is to check that you haven't got any lights on that shouldn't be,
    that your steering is OK etc.  If someone is telling you to go through
    in front of them - it is still important to check that nothing else is
    coming and not to rely on the person giving way.

Saw this one in Ayr during the holiday.

Kind looking Gent in Allegro waiting at lights.  Yellow box junction.  Lots of
traffic (must have been at least ten cars there).  Lights go to green and he 
decides the nice young person in the Golf halfway out of the left junction 
should go all the way and flashes him.  Golf acknowledges the flash by flashing 
back.  Cortina on right junction sees flash and drives through red light.  Merc
from Cortina's right continues through his green light with much flashing and 
horn blowing.  Allegro driver drives on sedately wondering why all the fuss!

Brian  who_never_flashes_for_ANYONE_to_go_first_and_interprets_other's_flashes_
       as_a_warning_of_their_presence (or I've left my rear fogs on!)

    I too use lights to warn people, for curtousy type actions (allowing
    someone in) I prefer to use a hand signal as these are easier for
    others to understand and are less likely to be mis-understood.
                        
    Jan

This is getting silly...

What exactly is a Falshing light and, come to mention it, what's a Habnd signal ?

:-)

  The last time I tried using hand (or is it habnd :-) signals I was parked
  by the side of a road. Someone came up right behind me and seemed puzzled
  by the fact that I wsn't moving. In the end I was courteous (makes a change)
  and gave the appropriate hand signal for her to pass by. The poor thing looked 
  so confused and remained rigidly parked behind refusing to budge. She looked
  quite annoyed, and by this time so did I - was trying to reverse down the
  road. The only things I could think of was leave the warmth of the car, or
  try to push her out of the way - the mere act of putting the car in reverse
  did the trick - she dissappeared in a cloud of smoke faster than a snowflake
  on a fire!!!

  Can you remember all those hand signals you were once taught???

  Andy

    re: .28
    
    Come on. You mean to tell me you've never given some-one a hand
    signal ? ;-)
    
    I usually use lights to say
    
    1). Flash of Main Beam :- Youve got something wrong with your car
    
    2). Main Beam + Spots :- Why have you got your main beams on you 
        $%^&#@!$, i can't see a %$##@!%$ thing!
    
    3). Flash of Main Beam :- Some-one who might want a word is ahead 
    	of you (i know this is illegal but...)
    
    4). Back Fogs :- Is it because of the physical attraction that you
    	are driving so close to me? If this fails i usually get to an
    	unpassable one-lane piece of road and slow RIGHT down to a meagre
    	10miles/hour, then burn off and leave him while he's still braking.
    	I know, but i really enjoy it!
    
    5). Front Fogs :- Yes you have got your fogs on! If this fails a
    	quick flash with the spots usually works ;-)
    
    Well thats just a quick list, theres loads of other time that lights
    come in useful!
    
    Lewis.

    The police flash their lights when they want a word with you when they
    are following you and it would not be easy (or safe) to overtake...

    Re: .32
      
>   The police flash their lights when they want a word with you when they
>   are following you and it would not be easy (or safe) to overtake...
 
    Flashing lights may not be illegal, but i bet if i installed some
    BLUE flashing lights, the police may want a quiet word  ;^)
      
    mb 

    Not the blue ones, the white ones at the front.

  I always wanted one of those 'Kojak' stick on lights for when tootling
  around town.

  Incidentally, I heard that in the UK it's illegal to sell a flashing blue
  light (unless you own an emergency response vehicle) but selling flashing
  red lights was quite alright (though the thought of pushing away all those
  customers puts me off a bit :-). Big deal, but the converse was true in the
  States, I believe. I wonder if there was ever an Arthur Daley type cashing
  in on the export/import trade???? :-).

  Anyone know if this is still true???

  Andy

    Back in my college days one of our lecturers was a special (part-time
    policeman) who went on an exchange visit to the states - they gave him a
    stick-on blue light for his car...
    
    The problem was that he drove a mini (Ha Ha).

    re .36:
    
>    The problem was that he drove a mini (Ha Ha).
    
    in the 60's, the Queensland (we're NOT corrupt ;-) Police Force used Mini
    Coopers as highway patrol cars. Of course, they had modified everythings
    and were reputed to be able to catch anything on the road.
    						John Gillings, Sydney CSC

    Not only is it illegal to display a flashing blue light, but also
    to dress like a policeman. Some yaers ago a motobike driver was
    done because his mode of dress + white bike closely resembled a
    traffic cop.
    
    Rich.
    
    PS - Several people have been robbed in Fleet by bogus policemen!

    Many years ago I wanted to paint my white rally car with reflective
    orange side stripes.
    
    I asked the local Chief Constable what he would think to this on a road
    going car. His reply was there was no law to stop me doing it.
    
    Methinks times have changed (for the worse)
    
    JK