Why do you flash me?

[minerva]

I was driving after dark on country lanes and got stuck behind a slower driver.... who was doing a steady 35 through villages and between them. Occasionally, they came to a complete stop as another car approached them and then started up again when the other car passed.

I was dropping back through villages and catching up between them. After one, I saw a widening of the road and nipped past. He flashed and held his main beam on for a good few minutes until he dropped back. He must have sped up, too, since he was behind me for longer than he would have been if he had continued at his stately 35mph.

I have been driving for 18 years, have a clean licence and drive 35 000 miles a year. I genuinely do not speed and I like to think I am a considerate road user.

This flashing if I overtake seems to happen more and more frequently. Why? Is it perceived dangerousness, pride being pricked or something that I am missing.

Does anyone have a similar problem, or do you flash overtakers? If so, why?

[minerva]

I thought that it may be the headlights, so I checked them (well, stood in front of them!) and they do not appear to be. The headlight beam doesn't reach above the paintwork on the back of their car and certainly is not shining at the level of their mirror.

[minerva]

He genuinely stopped as other cars, coming the other way, went past. My wife looked up to see what I had stopped for and even she thought it dangerous. I was given permission to overtake by her before I did!

[minerva]

You can st in her mouth if you want, but flick my moustache and that is fisticuffs!

We will end up al fresco, you and I.

[minerva]

That is why I post on here. There is always a fascinating insight by someone that I often just didn't consider. Thank you for that and I like to think that he was being considerate. I think that will make me a happier person!!