Flashing headlights as warning for speed trap?

Question

Is this the "worldwide" signal for "cop ahead" lol

I know that lots of people do it here in Arkansas. Can anyone tell me if other parts of the U.S or anywere else use this warning?

I always remeber to do it. When it saves you from paying a fine then you feel inclined to return the favor ; )

Answer 1

For close to 30 years I have driven truck all over North America I have found that no matter where I was there was always someone flashing their lights at me to forewarn me of a speed trap or police car ahead of me somewhere,
Although every truck I drove had a CB radio in it, that radio proved to be a better warning device for all types warnings of what is ahead of you on the road your on.

Answer 2

It is certainly nationwide amongst us truckers as others have pointed out. It is a hold over from before cb radios came into being. At one time, truckers communicated police, accidents, paperwork checks and other road hazards with light and hand signals as someone pointed out about the two fingered sideways "peace sign". There was even a hand gesture for 'all clear...hammer down'...a hand in the air twirling in a circle...lol

Good question...and some very good answers!

Answer 3

They do that in Virginia...I usually don't though. Heh, I mostly have the mentality that if you are speeding and you get stopped - well, what did you expect?

But here it's also a signal for something going on up ahead, like an accident or slow moving tractor or something, pretty much just telling you to slow down and keep aware of your surroundings, cop or no cop.

Answer 4

Yup here in Ca. too. Also as a truck driver, if there is a cop ahead we will hold up 2 fingers sideways pointing to the shoulder of the road indicating there is a cop ahead.

Answer 5

If there is such a signal here in California, I have never heard of it or seen it, even on long interstate trips. More often than not, people are flashing their lights to tell truckers it's safe to move over, or to try to get slower cars to move out of the way. In fact, there is a speed trap that I drive through every day, and even though thousands of people drive the same route every day, whenever the cops are set up there with their radar guns, they get a lot of people. I wasn't paying attention to my speed one day and I got nailed. No one flashed their lights to warn me. I don't really think that people are particularly concerned about other people getting a ticket, and I think that if people have gotten a ticket, they are much more likely to want to see other people get one. I know I feel that way. When I was in traffic school for this ticket, close to 80 percent of the 200 or so people there were there for speeding tickets. No one is warning anyone. There is a talk show host who broadcasts in Los Angeles and is syndicated nationwide named Tom Leykis, and he has a thing on his Friday afternoon show called "Flash Friday". The idea is to drive with your lights on in daylight, and if any women see a car with its lights on, they are supposed to flash their bare breasts at the driver. So if you see a car flashing its lights on Friday afternoon, odds are that they are not warning someone of a speed trap, they are in reality trying to get a look at a nice pair of breasts.

Answer 6

And I am glad there is flash to pass when I pull back on my turn signal stalk. In the old days turning on and off the head and tail lights could get you in trouble. I was issued a ticked that was dismissed for "interfering a police officer in commission of his duty"

Answer 7

It has four meanings in Baltimore-

1. Cop Ahead
2. Turn your headlights on
3. Turn your brights off
4. Get out of the way

Answer 8

Yes, I've been "saved" a number of times by the practice in the Mid-Atlantic States and Eastern seaboard in general.

Answer 9

Same in London, but sometimes the police hide up the road watching for people flashing their lights and nick them as well.

Answer 10

yes also here in australia,sometimes the cops tried to charge people but they lost that many cases they dont bother,but they will pull you over and check your car and breath test you,and trust me they will find something wrong.