Flashing hazards as you pass
May 28, 2011 12:48 PM Subscribe
USA folks. We are driving on mountain roads, me following you, you traveling more slowly than me. You kindly pull in to let me pass. After I pass I switch on my hazards briefly as I pull away. How do you interpret this?
This is an Irish tradition, wondering if it could translate the same meaning even if the US does not have the same tradition.
This is an Irish tradition, wondering if it could translate the same meaning even if the US does not have the same tradition.
Around here (curvy roads driving to the California coast) it's a simple "meep meep" with the horn after you pass me, or a wave.
posted by circular at 12:51 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by circular at 12:51 PM on May 28, 2011
i would interpret any flash of lights to be a "thanks!" or alternately "your brights are on!"
posted by nadawi at 12:51 PM on May 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 12:51 PM on May 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
I interpret this as a thank you (I am in Nor Cal).
posted by AlliKat75 at 12:52 PM on May 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by AlliKat75 at 12:52 PM on May 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
Seconding circular. "Meep meep" is a "thanks!" and hazards would be a "you're a hazard, buddy."
posted by rhizome at 12:53 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by rhizome at 12:53 PM on May 28, 2011
i would read any horn honking as "asshole."
posted by nadawi at 12:55 PM on May 28, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by nadawi at 12:55 PM on May 28, 2011 [5 favorites]
As someone who hates driving and gets nervous about strange things happening I would probably wonder what was wrong. And then I would be freaked out for the entire rest of the drive. However if you waved, I would know you were saying "thank you."
posted by magnetsphere at 12:56 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by magnetsphere at 12:56 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: To me, waving is "Thanks." Any kind of light flashing means "Something's wrong," and I never know how to interpret it. Does it mean Cops ahead/behind, You drive like an idiot, Your camera bag is on top of your car, Your blinkers are on, I am offended by your bumpersticker, etc.
posted by sageleaf at 12:57 PM on May 28, 2011 [16 favorites]
posted by sageleaf at 12:57 PM on May 28, 2011 [16 favorites]
I would be freaked, as well. A big smile and a wave is what I use.
posted by anaelith at 1:01 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by anaelith at 1:01 PM on May 28, 2011
If it's night, briefly cutting your lights is standard in the US as a "Thanks, man." A wave through the back is the daytime equivalent.
posted by ferdinand.bardamu at 1:02 PM on May 28, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by ferdinand.bardamu at 1:02 PM on May 28, 2011 [5 favorites]
Never seen the hazard signal, but I have seen many Midwestern US truck drivers turn on and off their lights after I let them in. (It flashes the brake lights.) I would interpret a hazard flash the same way, as a thanks.
I've actually started doing it after a truck lets me in, but not to other people because I was worried it would cause confusion. Here in Oregon, everyone seems to wave so I do that instead.
posted by WowLookStars at 1:06 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I've actually started doing it after a truck lets me in, but not to other people because I was worried it would cause confusion. Here in Oregon, everyone seems to wave so I do that instead.
posted by WowLookStars at 1:06 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nthing flashing your lights as a thank you. I think flashing your hazards would be confusing.
posted by apricot at 1:07 PM on May 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by apricot at 1:07 PM on May 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
It's trucker etiquette: flashing one's lights to a vehicle ahead of you means "I see you/the lane is clear/go ahead". Flashing one's lights to a vehicle behind you means "thanks for the courtesy".
With many cars it's hard to distinguish brake lights from driving lights, so popping one's hazards is a way of indicating that the lights aren't an indication of braking but a communication with another driver.
(I never drove a semi, but I have driven dump trucks and delivery vans in the southeastern US.)
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:08 PM on May 28, 2011 [7 favorites]
With many cars it's hard to distinguish brake lights from driving lights, so popping one's hazards is a way of indicating that the lights aren't an indication of braking but a communication with another driver.
(I never drove a semi, but I have driven dump trucks and delivery vans in the southeastern US.)
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:08 PM on May 28, 2011 [7 favorites]
Best answer: As a former San Bernardino Mountains resident who was a daily driver of mountain roads, Flicking your hazards was alwas (and still is) interpreted by myself and every other frequent or daily mountain road driver as "thanks for being courteous and doing the right thing rather than being a road hog like all those infrequent mountain drivers who won't pull over, drive slow as hell until they get to the passing lane where they out-accelerate every other car on the road, then slow to half the speed limit as soon as they reach the end of the passing zone and proceed to lead a very angry parade of cars that would prefer to be driving much faster"
A horn honk or wave would convey the same message elsewhere, but honks tend to ruin the mountain serenity and it's really not a good idea to drive one handed in the mountains so yopu can wave.
posted by buggzzee23 at 1:08 PM on May 28, 2011 [8 favorites]
A horn honk or wave would convey the same message elsewhere, but honks tend to ruin the mountain serenity and it's really not a good idea to drive one handed in the mountains so yopu can wave.
posted by buggzzee23 at 1:08 PM on May 28, 2011 [8 favorites]
"If it's night, briefly cutting your lights is standard in the US as a "Thanks, man." A wave through the back is the daytime equivalent."
this. Also, tapping your brakes after someone lets you pass is "thanks" (especially from truckers).
posted by fieldtrip at 1:08 PM on May 28, 2011
this. Also, tapping your brakes after someone lets you pass is "thanks" (especially from truckers).
posted by fieldtrip at 1:08 PM on May 28, 2011
This is often seen on UK roads as well, although usually used by drivers of large vehicles (lorries, coaches) where it's difficult or impossible for the driver to signal with a wave of the hand to the vehicle directly behind them who might (for instance) have just made a gap for them to move into on the motorway.
I've been blinked by buses when cycling too.
posted by pharm at 1:09 PM on May 28, 2011
I've been blinked by buses when cycling too.
posted by pharm at 1:09 PM on May 28, 2011
If it's night, briefly cutting your lights is standard in the US as a "Thanks, man."
If you have a car that allows you to turn them off. More and more new cars don't.
it's really not a good idea to drive one handed in the mountains so yopu can wave.
What do you use to turn the hazards on and off?
posted by rhizome at 1:16 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you have a car that allows you to turn them off. More and more new cars don't.
it's really not a good idea to drive one handed in the mountains so yopu can wave.
What do you use to turn the hazards on and off?
posted by rhizome at 1:16 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Flashing your headlights after such a scenario I would interpret as "Thank you." Turning your hazards on I would interpret as, "Something is going wrong with my car and I might be about to be a road hazard." That's why they're called hazards.
posted by frobozz at 1:16 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by frobozz at 1:16 PM on May 28, 2011
"Thanks."
More than just a brief glimpse, say more than two to three blinks of the hazard lights would be "Something's wrong ..."
posted by krilli at 1:20 PM on May 28, 2011
More than just a brief glimpse, say more than two to three blinks of the hazard lights would be "Something's wrong ..."
posted by krilli at 1:20 PM on May 28, 2011
What do you use to turn the hazards on and off?
I can flick the switch with one finger without letting loose of the wheel. It's actually easier to reach than the wheel mounted shifting paddles on my wife's Maxima.
posted by buggzzee23 at 1:20 PM on May 28, 2011
I can flick the switch with one finger without letting loose of the wheel. It's actually easier to reach than the wheel mounted shifting paddles on my wife's Maxima.
posted by buggzzee23 at 1:20 PM on May 28, 2011
Turning your hazards on I would interpret as, "Something is going wrong with my car and I might be about to be a road hazard." That's why they're called hazards
I think we're talking just one or 2 blinks here
posted by buggzzee23 at 1:22 PM on May 28, 2011
I think we're talking just one or 2 blinks here
posted by buggzzee23 at 1:22 PM on May 28, 2011
I've usually seen it done by cars with headlights (in day) or brakes (at night) to get the flash.
posted by rmd1023 at 1:22 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by rmd1023 at 1:22 PM on May 28, 2011
I would be concerned that you saw something wrong with my car (low tire, brake light out, etc), and I would be nervous until I stopped to check it out. Just put your hand up in a motionless wave as you go past. That's always been the signal I've used/recognized as "thanks!"
posted by phunniemee at 1:36 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by phunniemee at 1:36 PM on May 28, 2011
In some US states, like Florida, displaying flashing lights like hazards while moving is illegal. Doesn't stop some people from driving through rainstorms with hazards flashing.
I think THOSE people are idiots.
Your scenario, I'd intepret as a thank-you unless you had been riding my ass for a mile or two.
posted by mikewas at 1:38 PM on May 28, 2011
I think THOSE people are idiots.
Your scenario, I'd intepret as a thank-you unless you had been riding my ass for a mile or two.
posted by mikewas at 1:38 PM on May 28, 2011
In the US, I'm more use to seeing people wave. But flashing lights will probably work fine.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:38 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:38 PM on May 28, 2011
As a counterpoint to some comments, I've always thought/been told/experienced that flashing your lights at oncoming traffic is a way to warn of a cop/speed trap ahead in their direction of travel.
Could you share the Irish meaning now that there has been some unbiased commentary?
posted by jsturgill at 1:40 PM on May 28, 2011
Could you share the Irish meaning now that there has been some unbiased commentary?
posted by jsturgill at 1:40 PM on May 28, 2011
Truck drivers do this all the time when I let them into a lane, I believe it is considered a thanks...
posted by tomswift at 1:40 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by tomswift at 1:40 PM on May 28, 2011
Nthing "Thanks."
posted by Obscure Reference at 1:42 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by Obscure Reference at 1:42 PM on May 28, 2011
A brief tap of the brake/hazzards connotes "thanks" to me. I use the hand wave myself and can't think of a time (even on RT36 in NorCal) where that was especially dangerous.
I wouldn't consider briefly seeing you use your hazard lights as anything but thanks unless you left them on.
posted by birdherder at 1:46 PM on May 28, 2011
I wouldn't consider briefly seeing you use your hazard lights as anything but thanks unless you left them on.
posted by birdherder at 1:46 PM on May 28, 2011
mikewas: "In some US states, like Florida, displaying flashing lights like hazards while moving is illegal. Doesn't stop some people from driving through rainstorms with hazards flashing."
And there are stretches of the Pennsylvania Turnpike where you are intructed to use your hazards when travelling under 45mph.
I'm kind of gobsmacked to learn that other states don't permit you to use your hazards while moving - how else do you indicate to traffic that you are aware that your vehicle is deviating from approved norms?
posted by namewithoutwords at 2:00 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
And there are stretches of the Pennsylvania Turnpike where you are intructed to use your hazards when travelling under 45mph.
I'm kind of gobsmacked to learn that other states don't permit you to use your hazards while moving - how else do you indicate to traffic that you are aware that your vehicle is deviating from approved norms?
posted by namewithoutwords at 2:00 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I would be briefly bemused, and would wonder if you were trying to tell me something was wrong with my car, but I would probably end up interpreting it as thanks.
In addition to all the other customs mentioned here I've also heard of people flicking the turn signal very briefly in the opposite direction to mean thanks for letting them pass or letting them into the lane. OTOH, that might just mean they fumbled with the control while cancelling it...
posted by hattifattener at 2:00 PM on May 28, 2011
In addition to all the other customs mentioned here I've also heard of people flicking the turn signal very briefly in the opposite direction to mean thanks for letting them pass or letting them into the lane. OTOH, that might just mean they fumbled with the control while cancelling it...
posted by hattifattener at 2:00 PM on May 28, 2011
I'd think you were suddenly slowing down and wonder why I let you pass.
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:19 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:19 PM on May 28, 2011
Here in the Smokies, I probably would probably briefly wonder if it was a" thanks" or a signal to let me know I have something like a low tire or an open gas tank door.
posted by KogeLiz at 2:24 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by KogeLiz at 2:24 PM on May 28, 2011
If there was something wrong with your car, you'd get a honk or a wave or wild motioning while they were passing. A momentary "meep meep" of lights or horn is a thank you.
You would also do this with your headlights when a truck is passing you to alert them that they have cleared your front and that it is now safe to pull back into the lane.
posted by gjc at 2:29 PM on May 28, 2011
You would also do this with your headlights when a truck is passing you to alert them that they have cleared your front and that it is now safe to pull back into the lane.
posted by gjc at 2:29 PM on May 28, 2011
I see the hazard flashing all the time in the curvy roads in the Santa Cruz mountains in Northern California. At least in that area, it seems to be the standard "thanks for letting me by" signal.
posted by zsazsa at 2:40 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by zsazsa at 2:40 PM on May 28, 2011
Response by poster: Could you share the Irish meaning now that there has been some unbiased commentary?
Sure - in Ireland it universally means 'thank you'. Around 15 years ago it was rare, the first person I saw doing it was my uncle, who spent a lot of time on the road. Nowadays it is pretty much widespread. Typically on two lane roads with a wide shoulder - trucks will pull into the shoulder to let cars pass. Once it passes the car will flash hazards twice to say thanks. The truck will flash the lights to say 'you're welcome'. I have also seen the blinker 'waggle' twice to the left, once to the right.
I was thinking about it again last night during a spirited drive up highway 49 here in northern California. I came on three cars/light trucks during 30 miles, I don't come up on them fast, stay well back and I wait, happy enough to follow and not put pressure on them.
I am happy enough to use the brief 'meep meep' during the day (also what my native California wife uses) but was thinking that I don't want to wake any passengers that may be sleeping at that time of night and got me back to wondering if the hazard flash would be interpreted the same. Especially when it is not accompanied by any other unusual or assholish driving behaviour.
Based on the answers I can see it is open to interpretation, I would rather not freak anyone out or leave them wondering if there was actually a hazard. The tail-light flash is an interesting one, I didn't know about this.
On the other hand I very much want to introduce this to the US and make this my legacy, eventually to be cited in Wikipedia with its introduction, perhaps accompanied with a picture of myself and animated diagram.
Thanks for all the answers everyone!
posted by Disco Moo at 2:53 PM on May 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
Sure - in Ireland it universally means 'thank you'. Around 15 years ago it was rare, the first person I saw doing it was my uncle, who spent a lot of time on the road. Nowadays it is pretty much widespread. Typically on two lane roads with a wide shoulder - trucks will pull into the shoulder to let cars pass. Once it passes the car will flash hazards twice to say thanks. The truck will flash the lights to say 'you're welcome'. I have also seen the blinker 'waggle' twice to the left, once to the right.
I was thinking about it again last night during a spirited drive up highway 49 here in northern California. I came on three cars/light trucks during 30 miles, I don't come up on them fast, stay well back and I wait, happy enough to follow and not put pressure on them.
I am happy enough to use the brief 'meep meep' during the day (also what my native California wife uses) but was thinking that I don't want to wake any passengers that may be sleeping at that time of night and got me back to wondering if the hazard flash would be interpreted the same. Especially when it is not accompanied by any other unusual or assholish driving behaviour.
Based on the answers I can see it is open to interpretation, I would rather not freak anyone out or leave them wondering if there was actually a hazard. The tail-light flash is an interesting one, I didn't know about this.
On the other hand I very much want to introduce this to the US and make this my legacy, eventually to be cited in Wikipedia with its introduction, perhaps accompanied with a picture of myself and animated diagram.
Thanks for all the answers everyone!
posted by Disco Moo at 2:53 PM on May 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
If the passee flashes their lights, it usually means "OK, you've passed me, get on over."
If the passer flashes their lights, it could be anything. I would probably interpret it to mean "Something is wrong with the exterior of your car."
posted by muddgirl at 2:54 PM on May 28, 2011
If the passer flashes their lights, it could be anything. I would probably interpret it to mean "Something is wrong with the exterior of your car."
posted by muddgirl at 2:54 PM on May 28, 2011
I would allow for the possibility that you turned them on by accident, noticed so immediately, then turned them off. That explains a lot of unusual behavior I see on the road.
posted by dws at 2:57 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by dws at 2:57 PM on May 28, 2011
clearly, just after a nice gesture--allowing me to pass--I am thanking you..since you moved aside, I don't see how anyone could view this as anything but a thanks.
posted by Postroad at 3:22 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Postroad at 3:22 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm from the US and live in Canada. Flashing regular lights a couple times is "thank you" as is flashing your brake lights a couple times. Flashing hazard lights a couple times would confuse me because hazard lights are "I'm in trouble" lights.
posted by deborah at 3:55 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by deborah at 3:55 PM on May 28, 2011
I live in Nor Cal and this is how I say "Hey thanks for letting me pass!"
posted by special-k at 5:09 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by special-k at 5:09 PM on May 28, 2011
Nth cutting the lights for a second to indicate "you're clear to pass me" as well as "thank you for letting me pass". Of course I'll wave for the latter in the daytime, typically out the roof or window.
This is based on observing truckers on East Coast USA highways, so YMMV.
posted by a halcyon day at 5:51 PM on May 28, 2011
This is based on observing truckers on East Coast USA highways, so YMMV.
posted by a halcyon day at 5:51 PM on May 28, 2011
This is a "thanks" to me, but I learned it while driving in South Africa, where whether you're driving a truck or a piece of junk, it seems customary to pull onto the shoulder (where there are often people walking) to let faster traffic pass.
I find it extremely useful as a method of between-car communication, and I'm trying to bring it into fashion in the Mid-Atlantic. I've yet to see anyone else do it, though...
posted by god hates math at 6:10 PM on May 28, 2011
I find it extremely useful as a method of between-car communication, and I'm trying to bring it into fashion in the Mid-Atlantic. I've yet to see anyone else do it, though...
posted by god hates math at 6:10 PM on May 28, 2011
dws: "I would allow for the possibility that you turned them on by accident, noticed so immediately, then turned them off. That explains a lot of unusual behavior I see on the road"
This is something that happens frequently when she who must be obeyed is using her laptop in her RAV4 (when I'm driving, silly!).
It hits the hazards and therefore annoys me to no end.
That said, I would definitely interpret a couple of flashes of the hazards as 'thanks' or similar, same as I would a flash of the headlights and/or taillights in that particular context. If someone coming the opposite direction flashes their headlights, that either means I forgot to turn off my high beams or there is a hazard on the road ahead (which could include a speed trap or roadblock).
posted by wierdo at 7:37 PM on May 28, 2011
This is something that happens frequently when she who must be obeyed is using her laptop in her RAV4 (when I'm driving, silly!).
It hits the hazards and therefore annoys me to no end.
That said, I would definitely interpret a couple of flashes of the hazards as 'thanks' or similar, same as I would a flash of the headlights and/or taillights in that particular context. If someone coming the opposite direction flashes their headlights, that either means I forgot to turn off my high beams or there is a hazard on the road ahead (which could include a speed trap or roadblock).
posted by wierdo at 7:37 PM on May 28, 2011
"Thanks". That's how I would interpret any quick flash of lights after such an interaction.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:38 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by oneirodynia at 7:38 PM on May 28, 2011
good manners
posted by citybuddha at 8:55 PM on May 28, 2011
posted by citybuddha at 8:55 PM on May 28, 2011
Best answer: In the US, it's common for truckers to flash their rear running lights (brake lights but at half brightness, the ones that are on whenever the front headlights are lit) when another vehicle lets them pass. I assume they do this by switching their headlights on and off briefly. Some of them may be doing it by tapping their brakes but it seems less bright than that, at least that I've seen.
Truckers will also flash their headlights when another vehicle (particularly a truck or other large vehicle) is trying to merge into the lane in front of them. It means "go ahead" or "you have enough room" as far as I can tell. Typically this will be responded to by the brake or running-light flash as an acknowledgement.
I've never seen anyone flash their hazard lights, and if I saw someone do it I'd probably wonder if they were trying to flash their running lights but hit the wrong button or something. On a lot of passenger cars it's difficult to flash the rear lights so I can see how maybe pressing the hazards button for a moment is easier.
But it still seems like a bit of a mixed message and I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't do the running-light-flash or headlight-flash thing unless it was to a truck or other professionally-driven vehicle, either.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:48 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Truckers will also flash their headlights when another vehicle (particularly a truck or other large vehicle) is trying to merge into the lane in front of them. It means "go ahead" or "you have enough room" as far as I can tell. Typically this will be responded to by the brake or running-light flash as an acknowledgement.
I've never seen anyone flash their hazard lights, and if I saw someone do it I'd probably wonder if they were trying to flash their running lights but hit the wrong button or something. On a lot of passenger cars it's difficult to flash the rear lights so I can see how maybe pressing the hazards button for a moment is easier.
But it still seems like a bit of a mixed message and I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't do the running-light-flash or headlight-flash thing unless it was to a truck or other professionally-driven vehicle, either.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:48 PM on May 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
If it's night, briefly cutting your lights is standard in the US as a "Thanks, man."
Lifelong west-coast resident, never heard of this before and would be super duper creeped out if you did it to me.
Reminds me of the Urban Legend about the gang initiation one of whose permutations involves going around flashing your lights at people until someone flashes his lights back, then you pursue and kill that driver to join a gang.
Please don't flash your headlights at me. Hazards, sure, wave, YES, but no headlights.
posted by arnicae at 12:14 AM on May 29, 2011
Lifelong west-coast resident, never heard of this before and would be super duper creeped out if you did it to me.
Reminds me of the Urban Legend about the gang initiation one of whose permutations involves going around flashing your lights at people until someone flashes his lights back, then you pursue and kill that driver to join a gang.
Please don't flash your headlights at me. Hazards, sure, wave, YES, but no headlights.
posted by arnicae at 12:14 AM on May 29, 2011
Seems to be a very varied response here. My American partner had no hesitation in saying she would interpret this as a "thank you", as would I (but then I'm a Brit).
In daylight I normally raise my left hand (or right if driving in the US) as a "thanks" signal. Probably less likely to be misinterpreted.
posted by Decani at 7:18 AM on May 29, 2011
In daylight I normally raise my left hand (or right if driving in the US) as a "thanks" signal. Probably less likely to be misinterpreted.
posted by Decani at 7:18 AM on May 29, 2011
One time, in Ontario, we let this semi pass us. The truck happened to have white lights delineating every single edge of the cargo area of the truck, and he flashed them all at once. It was great way to say thanks.
posted by bentley at 7:54 AM on May 29, 2011
posted by bentley at 7:54 AM on May 29, 2011
On Californian mountain roads there are signs that say "slower traffic use turnouts". The positive reinforcement is (invariably) to use hazards to say thank you for getting out of the way. You probably have a situation here that has regional accents. The brief hazard flash on highway 9 in the Santa Cruz mountains has meant thank you for at least as long as the fifteen years Disco Moo is talking about - and many cars I have seen have broken hazard switches from that kind of frequent use. Hazards are also used to warn but that is generally accompanied by the signaling person's use of taps on the brake to flash those lights as well.
posted by jet_silver at 12:10 PM on May 29, 2011
posted by jet_silver at 12:10 PM on May 29, 2011
Another Paddy here, I've seen it with truckers here in the NE, regular car drivers don't seem to do and would either realise what you mean or be baffled!
However, I do it when a truck pulls over to let me by, with cars I just wave and sometimes I use all my fingers. ;)
posted by zaphod at 8:40 AM on May 30, 2011
However, I do it when a truck pulls over to let me by, with cars I just wave and sometimes I use all my fingers. ;)
posted by zaphod at 8:40 AM on May 30, 2011
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posted by circular at 12:50 PM on May 28, 2011 [3 favorites]