The demise of the high beam flash?

[Mr Classic]

Noticed recently when letting someone pass you in a narrow lane, they no longer give a quick flash of their high beams. Instead, its often a drop down to sidelights, or as I saw last night, a couple of flashes of one indicator! Saves being blinded mind you... Anyone else?

[DKS]

I'm trying to convert people to the 'sidelight acknowledgement'. As you say, easier on the eyes. I also switch down when waiting for an obsruction.

[ToothbrushMan]

I drive around on the assumption nobody gives a fig anymore so as not to be disappointed about somebody not thanking me with a flash or wave or whatever.....the latest thing these days seems to be a what you lookin at fat directors stare for your kindness!

[Tribal Chestnut]

I'm finding other motorists to, generally, be more polite in recent years.

During the day I often get a wave, with a high beam flash at night.

[RammyMP]

That's a Institute of Advanced Motorist thing, so you don't dazzle other drivers. My dad does it, I don't, it's easier to give a flash!

[Paradaxos]

I find high beam headlights on very modern cars to be so bright that even a quick flash would be too much.

A wave is a good acknowledgement of shared humanity.

[pad58]

I'm old school I still do it after 37 years driving.
A quick flash is acknowledgement.

[FiF]

DKS said:

I'm trying to convert people to the 'sidelight acknowledgement'. As you say, easier on the eyes. I also switch down when waiting for an obsruction.

Isn't it irritating when you give way at night, indicating that you can are doing so by the drop down to position light, only to get a face full of main beam as a thanks. A mate in Sweden describes it as the equivalent of holding a door open for somebody, them saying thank you and then immediately launching a green 'un into your eye.

[hairyben]

I give a flash of the front fogs.

[thelawnet]

Sounds like it could be a Viz top tip - 'Attractive young ladies - has someone done you a favour on the roads? It's courteous to 'flash' your boobs in thanks.'

[CrutyRammers]

Done this for years - always seemed more sensible than full beam at night.

[Blayney]

The Twingo won't let me drop down to side lights when set to auto lights. You have to be stopped and move the lights off>on>off>on to change from auto mode and regain control. So in this situation I have always given a quick flash. Reading this thread though I may switch to a front fog flash instead.

[l354uge]

I go for a front foglight flash personally. Guess not everyone can do that though.

[sealtt]

The majority of new cars have auto lights now so i'd expect it would be the demise of the drop to side light flash, since it is pretty inconvenient to switch from auto to sidelights.

[Leins]

l354uge said:

I go for a front foglight flash personally. Guess not everyone can do that though.

I've no front ones, or sat nav, so I do a quick 3-point turn and then reverse through with a flash of the rear foglights

[McSam]

I still use a main beam flash at night - waving is completely useless, as 90% of the time you just can't see it. The situation generally only arises for me in built-up areas with streetlights, so the dazzling effect isn't such an issue.

I do occasionally flick to sidelights instead if in a really dark area, but honestly I usually feel a bit of a tit and wonder if the receiving party will even understand it's meant as thanks.

[poing]

I can do the headlight flash with my hands still on the wheel, to do the dipped thing I have to take my right hand off the wheel find the fiddly little knob. Too much of a faff to do quickly and safely which is a shame as I'd much rather do the dip thing.

[FiF]

Auto headlights work of the devil frankly. I have them and never use the setting. Prefer manual control guided by observations using mark 1 eyeball.

For my education why is it such a faff to switch off auto? On mine it is just another switch position. Eg off, side, head, auto. Do some manufacturers have such fiendish settings to make it much more complicated than that, or is my jaundiced view of it justified.

[David87]

Would quickly flicking xenon lamps off and back on again not be bad for them? Either way, I give a quick flash of the hazard lights nowadays, which is something I picked up from locals on single-track roads in the Highlands.

[IanCress]

David87 said:

Would quickly flicking xenon lamps off and back on again not be bad for them? Either way, I give a quick flash of the hazard lights nowadays, which is something I picked up from locals on single-track roads in the Highlands.

Cars with Xenon's often have a seperate halogen bulb specifically for the flash function, as Xenons don't react quickly enough.

I tend to use a flash of the front fogs rather than main beam at night. Its the only time I get to use the front fogs, haven't come across thick fog for years!