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(USA) Don't people in traffic still flash their headlights twice to mean "there is a cop radaring ahead"?

My parents taught me that if you see someone double flash their headlights, that means there is a cop checking people's speed where they just came from.

I do it, but I rarely see people wave or flash back like my dad always did.

And I just drove past a cop, twice, and saw absolutely no one flash their headlights at me beforehand.

Isn't it something people used to do? Or did my parents make it up? Lol
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OhPuhleeze · 70-79, FNew
I pay attention to those
sarabee1995 · 31-35, F
My dad does it.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
British motorists sometimes warn of a speed-trap by headlamp flash, although it is not legal to do that.

However, they also use a flash to warn of some obstruction or hazard ahead.

It may vary from one Police Force to another, but my local one publishes in advance the roads where its mobile cameras will be operating. Not in detail, just the road name or number.

We still have fixed speed cameras too but whether they still operated, is another matter because the way they were funded changed. Perhaps more common are the Average Speed Cameras operating over distances of some miles.

@SinlessOnslaught Vehicle separation is not a legal matter here but is strongly advised. I don't know, but suppose a tailgater could be charged with "driving without due care and consideration" or even the more serious offence of "dangerous driving".

Some stretches of the motorways have chevrons painted on the surface, with roadside signs telling you to keep a 2-chevron length between your vehicle and that in front. The spacing is presumably calculated to work up to 70mph, the maximum permitted on motorways and dual-carriageways unless signed as lower. Most drivers seem to obey them fairly well.

Though over the last decade or so I have gained the impression that more motorists are quite happy to cruise along the motorways at comfortably within the limit, even as "low" as 60mph. Fine provided they obey the lane rules, and don't hog the middle lane where they could create queues and incite dangerous impatience among drivers wanting to proceed at 70mph.
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@ArishMell Travelling below the speed limit saves fuel. Something that happened out here with the past oil price rises was that commercial flights actually fly slower, taking around 10% longer to reach any destination involving a high altitude cruise phase ( We dont have many short hop journeys in Oz) And an optimal speed for one of the old vehicle economy runs that were fashionable 50 years ago was 50 mph or 80 kph..😷
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@whowasthatmaskedman Modern cars are probably now at their most efficient a bit nearer 60 than 50mph; but after that consumption does rise significantly.

Back in the 1980s one of the ferry companies operating across the English Channel saved a huge amount of heavy Diesel fuel yearly by increasing the voyage time by just quarter of an hour.
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@ArishMell Agreed on all counts.. Modern aerodynomics have driven the sweet spot up..😷
Nightwings · F
My stepfather did this, so it's not even just Americans, it's definitely something that some people do in general. I don't think most people do it however. My stepfather was a taxi driver in his youth, and he drove hours to and from work every day later in life, so he spent a lot of time driving which explains it.
TheHammer · M
We do it around where I live and we wave .
JimboSaturn · 56-60, M
They still do that in Canada
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@Father2 I’m not a legal expert, but it’s hard for me to imagine a flashing headlights situation rising to the level of obstruction before any actual stop or investigation has taken place. Maybe there are edge cases, but I would hope that kind of charge wouldn’t hold up in most situations.

Where I think I struggle more is with the broader intent behind enforcement. I understand the argument that traffic stops are about safety, and I’m sure that’s part of it. But from what I see day to day, a lot of clearly dangerous driving (tailgating, impeding, aggressive lane changes, cutting people off, not signaling, blocking drivers attempting to merge, cutting others off) often goes unaddressed, even when officers are nearby.

Meanwhile, speeding seems to get a lot of focus. I get that it’s easier to measure and enforce, but it can give the impression that enforcement prioritizes what’s easiest to ticket rather than what’s most dangerous in practice.

I’m not saying officers don’t care about safety, but from an outside perspective, it can feel a bit misaligned at times. Maybe there’s more going on behind the scenes that I’m not aware of.
People still do it here. It’s illegal if you get caught though.
I see people flashing their lights trying to get red lights to change. But the cop. flash is becoming far more uncommon. I've only seen it once in the last 4 years where there was actually a cop further up teh road.
@nonsensiclesnail Flashing your headlights make red lights change? 🤔
@MsSwan I think there was a time it could. supposedly, when the flashing lights of an ambulance could signal a light to change, then it would work ( but I don't think it did). now though? No. people are only hopeful and impatient.
No, your parents didn't make it up. I remember that from a long time ago. I don't see many people doing it anymore. People don't look out for each other like they used to.
JimboSaturn · 56-60, M
@MsSwan i agree not as much. People dont give thank you waves when you let them cut in front of you either
@JimboSaturn Yeah, I notice that too. Once in a while I'll get a wave. I always wave.
@JimboSaturn I give "thank you" waves sometimes but not always. It's literally the law where I live that you must leave enough space between you and the car ahead of you that another vehicle can fit in. I forget the exact wording but you get what I mean.

If someone slows down for me to merge, I'll definitely thank them. But people tailgating so that others don't merge in front of them are driving dangerously.
Munumbis · 46-50, M
We always flashed once. Either way you get the message. The government is waiting to steal from you.
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
A headlight warning flash is a "thing" here too. But also an offence, if you are caught doing it.😷
justanothername · 56-60, M
It’s not legal but it’s done as a courtesy to oncoming drivers

 
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