While in motion does flashing your cars lights give right of way or warn others your 'comin through'?

Question

At a stop sign I know flashing your lights gives right of way to the other drivers. But while driving, in motion, does it warn others not to proceed, 'Im comin through'?

I know flashing lights is NOT part of Motor Vehicle law.

I'm simply speaking outside the letter of the law.

Answer 1

If you already have the right-of-way and the others should know it (they have a stop sign, you do not) then it can be a useful warning.

If you don't have the right-of-way, you can't GET it by flashing lights at people and refusing to stop. That'll just get you in an accident, because some people will deliberately pull out to defy you.

Now, if you are an ambulance it's somewhat different, you can ask for the right of way by flashing at people but you still must prepare to stop because some people are inattentive, stupid etc.

At a stop sign, you should just go when it's your turn. Don't confuse people by doing something unexpected, that reduces safety by introducing confusion.

Answer 2

Only emergency vehicles can flash lights as far as I know and have never seen anyone flash lights at stop sign. If you see someone flashing there lights behind you I would just let them by they may be heading for hospital or to a family emergency.
If you see oncoming vehicles flashing lights while approaching you then either you don't have your light on or they are warning of speed trap ahead. Many states have new laws in place that if it is precipitating you must have head lights on.

Answer 3

Flashing of lights doesn't technically mean anything.

If I saw you flash your lights at me, I would take it to mean that you are being polite, and allowing me to do whatever I am signalling that I want to do.

Eg. If a lorry has its indicator on to pull into a gap in the overtaking lane that is a bit small for it, then the person behind the gap could pull back a little and flash their lights.

The lorry driver might then thank you by twiddleing his indicators.

In Britain, at least, it means you are giveing up your right of way so someone else can do something.

Answer 4

when you flash your lights you are signaling that you cede passage to allow the other vehicle to go. grandad has told me to add remember to flash your lights when going around tight corners at night so as to warn any potentially oncoming traffic that you are coming through. In the daytime a little honk on your horn does the same job!!!
Sometimes flashing your lights warns others that there is something amiss with their vehicle 9brakelight not working, door not closed properly),
Flashing is even a polite warning of a policeman with a speedgun round the next corner (Grandad reminds me how illegal that is).
Everynow and again a raged up crazy dude will tailgate you and flash til you get out the way... I tend to brake and go even slower!!! hehehe!!!

Answer 5

Flashing the hazard lights should mean "I have a mechanical problem and am trying to limp the car along." I have seen some people with the hazard lights on while driving that seem to be showing no signs of problems and am not sure what that means.

Flashing headlights can mean a couple of things. Here are some pretty common meanings in different circumstances:

Car in oncoming lane: "Your lights are off, and you need to turn them on." or "There's a speed trap up ahead."

Car behind you: "Could you let me pass?"

Answer 6

I hope this helps.

Before CB radios, there was a light-flash code used by truckers:

1 flash means the road ahead is clear.

2 flashes means speed trap ahead.

3 flashes means there is a wreck or some other problem on the highway ahead, but you can get around it. The road is not totally blocked.

4 flashes means there is a wreck or some other problem on the highway ahead, and traffic is completely blocked.

Answer 7

no matter WHAT you do with your lights you never get special privileges. all motor vehicle laws apply to you. the only way to have any special privileges is to be driving an emergency vehicle. yes that is a common signal used at stop signs BUT it is not law anyplace. if you flash your lights to signal others that YOU ARE COMING THROUGH and you did not have the legal right of way at the time...then YOU are at fault if there is an accident and YOU can and will be held criminally liable if a death or injury results !!!!!!

Answer 8

i flash my lights as a 'go ahead' when i know someone is trying to switch lanes. i know that Big Rig signals are supposed to be pretty universal on the road but nobody ever teaches that in drivers education. A big rig will flash its lights at you to let you in and if you let a rig in front of you by flashing your lights they will usually flash their rear lights at you as a thank you. I generally try to follow this rule of thumb.

Answer 9

normally, flashing you lights warns of possible danger on the road... in Colorado, we flash lights to warn of animals or rocks in the road ahead. It has also been used as a sign of police presence ahead.

Answer 10

Thats the general rule.. but some ******* just flash their lights to get around traffic.. I hate those people..