Another recent thread reminded me that I noticed a difference of driving in Europe and N.A. is in the former the more usage of signals, such daytime Hi-Beam flash etc as a courtesy indication to the other driver.
A prime example is when someone is trying to merge, instead of waving him in, which often he cannot see, is to give a couple of flashes of the hi-beam sw.
He in turn will respond with a momentary thanks using his 4-way indicators after the merge.
I usually use these daily when I drive and most people get it, even if it is not a common custom
Many are not even aware they have a Hi-beam flash switch, only the hi-beam on.
Max.

 

In the US, I think this is more common with truckers. I'll headlight flash to a truck that is trying to merge (when he is clear).

 

Another recent thread reminded me that I noticed a difference of driving in Europe and N.A. is in the former the more usage of signals, such daytime Hi-Beam flash etc as a courtesy indication to the other driver.
A prime example is when someone is trying to merge, instead of waving him in, which often he cannot see, is to give a couple of flashes of the hi-beam sw.
He in turn will respond with a momentary thanks using his 4-way indicators after the merge.
I usually use these daily when I drive and most people get it, even if it is not a common custom
Many are not even aware they have a Hi-beam flash switch, only the hi-beam on.
Max.

You can get a ticket for it here in some states.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight_flashing#United_States

 

You can get a ticket for it here in some states.

In many of those posts it appears to be a concern when done at night, I only intended just daylight use.
The other, Police are worried about the warning to oncoming drivers of a speed trap.
Just for daylight driving in the city traffic I see nothing wrong with it, I know the bus drivers appreciate it!
Max.

 

In many of those posts it appears to be a concern when done at night, I only intended just daylight use.
The other, Police are worried about the warning to oncoming drivers of a speed trap.
Just for daylight driving in the city traffic I see nothing wrong with it, I know the bus drivers appreciate it!
Max.

Simply slow down and leave a merge gap.

 

Simply slow down and leave a merge gap.

If only life was that easy!
Simple example, In traffic going through the city I often flash the hi-beams to a bus driver that I see looking in his rear view side mirror, saves time as he's usually waiting for a break in traffic, he responds with a 4-way hazard thanks.
One of life's little courtesies !
Speeds things up and just makes life easier.
Max,

 

In many of those posts it appears to be a concern when done at night,

At night I turn my headlights off and back on when the semi is clear to merge. That's what I've seen truckers do...

 

If only life was that easy!
Simple example, In traffic going through the city I often flash the hi-beams to a bus driver that I see looking in his rear view side mirror, saves time as he's usually waiting for a break in traffic, he responds with a 4-way hazard thanks.
One of life's little courtesies !
Speeds things up and just makes life easier.
Max,

I do understand but that's not the norm in NA and it's unlikely to happen here. For example, the bus has a priority yield (right-of-way to merge back into traffic) light on the back of the bus.
https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/811.167

 

I guess every jurisdiction is different, I know It was common use in Europe in the 60's already.
Never run into any problems here yet, and most people who are unfamiliar with the custom sort of catch on.
Max.

 

It is common in the UK to see truck drivers flash a fellow truck driver (who has overtaken them), letting them know that they can now pull back into the lane in front of them – albeit the separation distance between the vehicles will typically be less than 10ft, with both vehicles travelling at around 60mph.

Many UK drivers flash their lights to other road users (vehicles and pedestrians), inviting them to pull out of a junction or cross the road (or whatever); however the Highway Code states: ‘Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.’

Basically flashing your headlights (in the UK) officially has the same meaning as sounding your horn.

So if you were to pull out in front of a vehicle that flashed their lights at you, and they crashed into you – you could not infer that they had signalled for you to pull out, as a defence.

 

Many UK drivers flash their lights to other road users (vehicles and pedestrians), inviting them to pull out of a junction or cross the road (or whatever); however the Highway Code states: ‘Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.’

Basically flashing your headlights (in the UK) officially has the same meaning as sounding your horn.

I was born, grew up, and also learned to drive in the UK so this is where I picked it up.
It was a common signal with an unofficial usage in general.
Max.

 

In the western U.S. flashing headlights, day or night, is relatively common but doesn't have any particular pre-established meaning -- it all depends on context. Around here, if someone coming toward you flashes their headlights it usually means that there is wildlife (usually deer) on the road ahead. At night they could either cycle their headlights off and on or flash their high beams -- a lot depends on the car as many don't give the driver the option to turn the headlights off even if they wanted to (something that annoys gate guards to no end). If they are going to flash their high beams, then it is common to flash them two or three times since a single flash usually means that they are telling you to dim your high beams. But another common use is to let you know that your headlights aren't on or that one of them is burned out. If they are behind you and they flash their headlights it might mean that they want you to pull out of their way so that they can pass or, if they are in an adjacent lane, that they are letting you know that they will let you in to their lane. Occasionally they are trying to bring to your attention that your taillights aren't on (at night), that you've got a brake light out, or that you've left your turn signal on. If you can't figure out why someone was flashing their lights at you, particularly if more than one car did so, it is a good idea to check your car next time you park for anything that other drivers might have been trying to tell you.

For a while it was common for people to flash their lights to warn oncoming traffic about speed traps, but I haven't seen that in a good many years (doesn't mean it isn't still common, just that I haven't noticed it). I recall that there were several court cases where people were ticketed for doing so but I think the courts have pretty consistently ruled that doing so was perfectly legal under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

 

It is common in the UK to see truck drivers flash a fellow truck driver (who has overtaken them), letting them know that they can now pull back into the lane in front of them – albeit the separation distance between the vehicles will typically be less than 10ft, with both vehicles travelling at around 60mph.

Common practice among truck drivers around here.