On the Speed Channel a few months ago I saw something I had never seen before. An old 60's Pontiac muscle car blinked it's headlights twice before passing the car in front of it. It looked sooo cool and startling! It's been on my mind ever since.
Later, on my own, I learned the meaning behind flashing the headlights when preparing to pass someone. Some modern vehicles, in some form or another, have this feature/module. On equipped vehicles, I'm not sure how flash to pass is activated so you are more than welcomed to explain. Maybe the feature is just a spring-loaded turn signal stalk that turns your highbeams on when it's pushed away or pulled toward you and finally off when released? I had an old Mazda truck like that. Is that all "flash to pass" is? All I know is that the headlights blink twice without the driver having to do much which helps keep more attention on the pass. So far, I have never seen a vehicle on the road today use the "flash to pass" feature when overtaking another vehicle. Seems like a good idea...for small country roads or similar.
What do you guys think about the "flash to pass" feature? On my 02 Camaro SS, besides rotating the headlight switch from left to right a couple of times, is there a kit one can buy that does this function for you that will work on the Camaro? Just curious to see if someone has done this already or if it has been discussed before.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Posted by Sweden SS (Member # 1747) on :
I feel like killing people that flash their headlights when passing!!! It's annoying as h#¤%#%#ll!!! Why not use the turnsignals??? They are there for a reason!
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
I do however like the idea of being able to flash the headlights in intsances where you might otherwise use the horn - make sure a car entering the roadway sees you, etc.
In the cars I have had that had the feature, the flash lit all four headlamps. I don't think it would be easy to modify the relay wiring to incorporate the feature and the stalk doesn't have a momentary position.
[ 16. December 2003, 03:40 AM: Message edited by: DaddySS ]
Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :
quote:Originally posted by Sweden SS: I feel like killing people that flash their headlights when passing!!! It's annoying as h#¤%#%#ll!!! Why not use the turnsignals??? They are there for a reason!
I'd hate to see what would happen if someone cut you off! We must get you some help...fast!! j/k. Yeah, it's sometimes annoying, but they did get your attention, right? That's the whole point.
Seriously, I've seen 80's model Cutlasses and Monte Carlos, etc., that used some Cadillac parts to convert to flash to pass. Never seen it on an F-body. I personally wouldn't use it, but the reason some people do it is because if they go to pass you at night, you should be noticing their intentions so YOU don't pull out in front of them and they shave off your door handles for you. It's akin to the flicking the brights on when a big truck passes and wants to cut back over. The flick of the lights lets him/her know they can pull into your lane and not take your front end off doing it.
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
In some countries it is illegal to pass on the right. You come up behind a slower vehicle, flash the brights and that signals your intention to overtake them. They would (should) move over to let you pass. I suppose it's a lot safer than having vehicles weaving all over the road trying to get ahead!
I've had that feature on the turn signal of several Euorpean cars that I've owned.
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
I guess if you don't pull the turnsignal/cruise control lever all the way back...we sort of have that flash to pass right now on your cars.I too would never use it...that is what the accelerator pedal is for. Posted by Elie Garfinkel (Member # 1635) on :
quote:Originally posted by 2002Z4CSS: I guess if you don't pull the turnsignal/cruise control lever all the way back...we sort of have that flash to pass right now on your cars.I too would never use it...that is what the accelerator pedal is for.
Do we not have the "flash-to-pass" feature on our cars? When I am driving my '98, and the headlights are NOT on, when I pull the turn signal stalk towards me, my high beams go on for a split second and everything turns off when I release the stalk. I believe that being able to activate your high beams with your headlights turned off is called "flash-to-pass". Please tell me if this is a misconception
Best regardSS,
Elie
Posted by KevinA (Member # 139) on :
Elie, you are correct.
Posted by Rhode Island Red (Member # 220) on :
That feature would turn on my road rage instantaneously I cannot stand tailgaiters... especially ones that flash their lights at me... try to pass me...crossing the double-yellow line.... in a 15 mph school zone... nearly running me off the road... and as he is passing me... driving head on into the path of an ambulance and 3 police cars coming right at him... so he can save 2.35484363 nanoseconds as a stop sign was only 300 yards ahead... I floored it in my beater , saving his life by giving him a space to duck his car into.... at the stop sign all he could give me was a "your in my way and I wanna pummle you look" not even realizing he himself was killed... happened to me last Sunday
sorry ... to many bad drivers on the road, from my perspective, for me to accept that flashing headlights twice was a nice gesture to let me know I'm going to be passed.. for every nice gesture by drivers on the road there are countless bad gestures... flashing headlights being one of them
[ 16. December 2003, 07:36 AM: Message edited by: Rhode Island Red ]
Posted by sscamaro (Member # 1330) on :
My 2000 S-10 has that feature. When you pull up on the turning signal arm, the high beams come on till you release it.
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
Our Envoy has it.
I believe the intent ...in Germany anyway ... was as Hawkeye stated ...the left lane on the autobahn is to pass ... you use the "flash" feature to advise others they are impeding your progress.
IMO most North American drivers are way too ignorant for it to be of any practical use ...considering they can't read the "keep right except to pass" signs either.
[ 16. December 2003, 09:34 AM: Message edited by: poSSum ]
Posted by Xsta Z 28 (Member # 740) on :
quote:Originally posted by poSSum: IMO most North American drivers are way too ignorant for it to be of any practical use ...considering they can't read the "keep right except to pass" signs either.
I resemble that remark!
JK, yes you are right. American drivers SUCK! Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
All my vehicles have the 'flash' mode. I've used it on occasion when driving in the left lane as a signal to a slower vehicle in front to "get out of my way a$$@#%& " .
I agree with the road rage comments. I've found that many slow drivers (not keeping up with the traffic flow in the left lane) are oblivious to the traffic around them, and a number of drivers I've 'flashed' have slowed down further just to make a point that they're in front (and I'm not). This adds fuel to the more agressive drivers' need to past, resulting in frustration and finally road rage (not that that's happened to me ).
Until such time as the 'flash to pass" becomes law and more drivers use it, I feel it just adds to many drivers' frustration thinking that the slower drivers understand what being flashed means.
[ 16. December 2003, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: JohnS ]
Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
Well, evidently it's illegal in Oregon to flash lights for passing.
quote: 811.390 Unlawful use of lights to signal for passing; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of lights to signal for passing if the person is operating a vehicle and the person flashes any lights as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to other drivers approaching from the rear.
(2) The offense described in this section, unlawful use of lights to signal for passing, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §633; 1995 c.383 §65]
Am I interpreting this as it's only unlawful for the front person to flash lights to the people behind them that it's o.k. to pass?
It's common in the trucking industry to let each other know when clear to pass by flashing lights on & off and a thank-you flash of lights in return.
Posted by westell (Member # 2034) on :
[QUOTE]Originally posted by DaddySS: [QB] I do however like the idea of being able to flash the headlights in intsances where you might otherwise use the horn - make sure a car entering the roadway sees you, etc.
Comparing the speed of light vs. speed of sound this has merit. With the levels of sound systems and quieter interiors these days, who hears a horn ?
You can barely hear emergency vehicles until they're right on your @ss.
Many ignorant drivers, hell, ignorant people, period. Posted by The Janitor (Member # 2035) on :
It started with the truckers, and they still do it today.
It was always done as a courtesy. Only in today's more agressive climate have people taking hombrage to it.
Truck A is behind truck B. A flashed B to let him know he is about to pass.
Once A is ahead of B, B flashes A to let him know he is clear to pull back into the lane.
I've always been a proponent of flashing oncoming traffic after I pass a speed trap. If everyone did this, we wouldnt have to worry about radar/laser guns anymore.
Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :
quote:Originally posted by 2002Z4CSS: I guess if you don't pull the turnsignal/cruise control lever all the way back...we sort of have that flash to pass right now on your cars.I too would never use it...that is what the accelerator pedal is for.
Just for the record, in a recent poll, every driver on the road, except yourself, sucks. Not once have I heard "Yeah, as a driver, I suck."
As far as flash to pass, I've never even tried it out because I don't bother with it either. But in tradeoff, you don't QUITE have a functioning right lane change turn signal. You know, where you barely lift the lever to change lanes to the right and "click" it locks in. PITA. Does it all day long for left lane changes.
But you're right, the gas pedal is for passing. I like to call it "gas to pass." Posted by FireChicken (Member # 2067) on :
quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: Well, evidently it's illegal in Oregon to flash lights for passing.
quote: 811.390 Unlawful use of lights to signal for passing; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of lights to signal for passing if the person is operating a vehicle and the person flashes any lights as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to other drivers approaching from the rear.
(2) The offense described in this section, unlawful use of lights to signal for passing, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §633; 1995 c.383 §65]
Am I interpreting this as it's only unlawful for the front person to flash lights to the people behind them that it's o.k. to pass?
It's common in the trucking industry to let each other know when clear to pass by flashing lights on & off and a thank-you flash of lights in return.
When someone wants to pass me, I give them the benefit of the doubt, and assume there may be a valid reason (medical emergency, etc). So if someone is behind me, I pull slightly into the shoulder of the road, and let them pass me. Most people will tap their brake lights 2 or 3 times to say "thank you", and I return by flashing my fog lamps or brights to say "you are welcome". In addition, if a large vehicle, like an 18 wheeler is in a lane next to mine, and has his turn signals on, i will flash my lights a few times to let him know that he will make a lane change safely without hitting me. The truckers also will flash their brake lights to say thanks.
Personally, I think using your lights is an excellent way to communicate with other drivers on the road. Its a way to be courteous, and I use it!
Posted by Elie Garfinkel (Member # 1635) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Janitor: I've always been a proponent of flashing oncoming traffic after I pass a speed trap. If everyone did this, we wouldnt have to worry about radar/laser guns anymore.
Ontario cops will give you a ticket for illegal use of high beams, if they can catch you doing this.
Best regardSS,
Elie
Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :
quote:Originally posted by FireChicken: Personally, I think using your lights is an excellent way to communicate with other drivers on the road. Its a way to be courteous, and I use it!
Yep, I agree. It's better than communicating with a .357 magnum or the middle finger! Posted by Jeff F (Member # 1587) on :
quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: Well, evidently it's illegal in Oregon to flash lights for passing.
Oregon Posted by FireChicken (Member # 2067) on :
quote:Originally posted by Elie Garfinkel:
quote:Originally posted by The Janitor: I've always been a proponent of flashing oncoming traffic after I pass a speed trap. If everyone did this, we wouldnt have to worry about radar/laser guns anymore.
Ontario cops will give you a ticket for illegal use of high beams, if they can catch you doing this.
Best regardSS,
Elie
You dont have to use your high beams. Flashing your lights on and off also works. Plus, in the daytime, nobody can tell between high beams and regulars.
Posted by 02BestSSyet (Member # 1998) on :
Thanks everyone for what you had to add to this topic. Your comments made me see the "flash to pass" feature in a different light.
I have seen some drivers flash their headlights for the driver in front of them to speed up. I hate that too as some of you have stated. My way of thinking is COMPLETELY different from that of an aggressor's. I would have ONLY used it as a polite way to let the person in front of me know that I was about to pass him or her. Also, I would still use my signal light. I would NEVER flash my headlights as an act of aggression. I just wanted everyone to know what kind of person I am.
Since many drivers flash their headlights out of aggression or rage, the first thought would understandably be a negative one from the person being flashed. Sad but true. I didn't even know it was illegal in some states to flash your headlights before passing!
Well, I won't be flashing my headlights to pass. It's weird that this feature is called "flash to pass" but nearly all drivers take being flashed offensivly, even if it's used correctly. Maybe they should change the name of it to just "headlight flash"?
The bottom line is the feature was created with good intentions but most drivers would and have inteprete ANY flashing of the headlights as a sign of aggression so don't flash! That's what I gathered from what I read. Flashing to oncoming traffic to warn of an accident,police, etc., in my opinion, is still okay though.
Thanks again everyone for the feedback. Others are still welcomed to give your opinion.
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
j/k. Yeah, it's sometimes annoying, but they did get your attention, right? That's the whole point.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
