Why do people flash their brights when you pass them?

[darin]

Twice in the past two days I've passed slower-moving vehicles and both times they flicky-flashed their bright headlights with a passion.

wtf? that supposed to make me decide to go back and get behind them again?

(sigh).

[retiredman]

it is a way of telling you that, if you are in the passing lane, that you are safe enough distance ahead of them to move back into the right hand lane.

[Mr. P]

it is a way of telling you that, if you are in the passing lane, that you are safe enough distance ahead of them to move back into the right hand lane.

EDIT: I only do it with big trucks though.

[Hobbit]

I've never heard of doing that before. In Atlanta, we assume you can see what you're doing and if you act like you can't, you'll get an ear full of horn.

[Roomy]

it is a way of telling you that, if you are in the passing lane, that you are safe enough distance ahead of them to move back into the right hand lane.

It means the same here in the real world only difference being we drive on the left.

[KitchenKitten99]

Twice in the past two days I've passed slower-moving vehicles and both times they flicky-flashed their bright headlights with a passion.

wtf? that supposed to make me decide to go back and get behind them again?

(sigh).

tail light out or lights working improperly (like your reverse lights are on or something)? Can't see how you would be able to deduce that is what they are trying to communicate, but people do weird things all over the country.

[darin]

it is a way of telling you that, if you are in the passing lane, that you are safe enough distance ahead of them to move back into the right hand lane.

No - that's courteous flash. People here don't do that stuff. I'm talking about ANGRY flash.

They sometimes accompany the flashing with loud horn-blowing as I pass.

[Hagbard Celine]

Twice in the past two days I've passed slower-moving vehicles and both times they flicky-flashed their bright headlights with a passion.

wtf? that supposed to make me decide to go back and get behind them again?

(sigh).

They're just expressing their contempt for your passing them. It's like giving the finger but at night.

[darin]

tail light out or lights working improperly (like your reverse lights are on or something)? Can't see how you would be able to deduce that is what they are trying to communicate, but people do weird things all over the country.

My car's lights are flawless...maybe the phenom is just in OUR part of the country?

[The ClayTaurus]

Yeah I always flicky my brights when someone is trying to merge, especially in crowded traffic when i make room for them... but I think more often then not, their reaction is similar to Darin's, and it just confuses them.

18 wheelers know what's up, though.

[The ClayTaurus]

No - that's courteous flash. People here don't do that stuff. I'm talking about ANGRY flash.

They sometimes accompany the flashing with loud horn-blowing as I pass.

Did you get to close to them from behind? What have I told you about getting too close to people's behinds?

Knock that shit off.

[KitchenKitten99]

My car's lights are flawless...maybe the phenom is just in OUR part of the country?

i dunno, I have seen people driving and I watch them operate their brakes and gears and I have seen some messed up lights. For some reason, our caddy's LED lights only half light up when the car is in park, and in our driveway. Any other time, in park, drive, or whatever, they work just fine. We do have a ghost that dinks with our cars from time to time, so it wouldn't surprise me if he was the culprit.

[Gaffer]

Twice in the past two days I've passed slower-moving vehicles and both times they flicky-flashed their bright headlights with a passion.

wtf? that supposed to make me decide to go back and get behind them again?

(sigh).

If they are doing it before you move back into the lane then they are just being courteous and signaling that's its safe to move back over.

If they do it after you have already moved back in the lane they are probably pissed because they felt you moved over too soon.

Also check to see if your brights were on when you were following them.

[Insein]

it is a way of telling you that, if you are in the passing lane, that you are safe enough distance ahead of them to move back into the right hand lane.

No its more like, "How dare you pass me fucker." Ive seen it happen many times.

So many people drive like grandpa in the left lane. I give them about 2 minutes before im around them on the right. Then when i go around them, they somehow find the gas pedal because theyll be right on my ass, flashing their lights.

Im not a violent person but it took everything i had not to ram my car into this one guy. I was at a light and knew the timing of it. The guy next to me was in a Lexus or MErcedes SUV. He creeped out almost all the way into the intersection before the light changed when the turning lights were still on. When the light changed, i took off. I was way ahead then moved over to the middle lane. This guy comes flying up behind me, right up on my ass, flashing his lights. Then he gets in front of me and slows down on purpose. I try to go around him and he swerves to get in my way again. At this point i was about to just ram right into the back of him and send him off the fucking road. Then we came to a red light and what do i see but a girl in the passenger seat laughing at me. I swear it took everything i had not to get out of my car and smash their window in. And im a normal guy. If i had been a guy on a bad day or a guy with a bad temper, they'd have been dead easily.

Anyway, im off topic now. But it was a good story.

[darin]

Insein Nailed it. That's exactly what it is - it's the "how DARE you drive 48 in a 45, when I'm going 40!!!"


I think the answer to my question is "They flash their lights because they aren't carrying a gun."

This state as some of the MOST self-righteous driving pricks I've ever encountered.