ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.
An often-asked question is whether it's legal to flash your headlights at another vehicle.
"On a normal basis, our headlights only do certain things. They are either on, off or on the high-beam mode," Trooper Steve said. "There are no settings to make them flash rapidly, right? Well, I am sure at some point you have either had this done to you or been the one doing the flashing."
Typically, drivers flash another vehicle that is "camped out" in the left lane, obstructing traffic.
In Florida, a statute addresses the requirement to flash your lights when overtaking on a two-lane road, but not when you are encouraging another driver to move out of your way.
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"With anything, there is a good way to do something and there is always a bad way," Trooper Steve said. "Coming up behind someone moving at a slower speed than you doesn’t mean you should go from zero to 100 on the frustrated level and immediately start following too closely and flashing your lights at them rapidly."
Trooper Steve said the driver could be lost, confused or very cautious.
"Why pull up and start making the situation worse?" he said. "Just follow at a safe distance, allow the other driver to see that you are behind them and wait to see if they move out of your way. If all else fails and you feel the need to give them a visual warning, then a simple unaggressive flash could be needed."
The move, however, could be misunderstood as road rage or careless driving, Trooper Steve said.
"Decreasing your speed, keeping a safe distance and seeing how you can pass in the safest way is the best way to go," Trooper Steve said. "Simply see what other lanes are available and move onward."
In short, although there is not a specific law addressing drivers flashing their headlights, they are not suppose to flash rapidly and could be perceived as not working properly, resulting in a faulty equipment ticket, Trooper Steve said.
If you have a traffic question for Trooper Steve, submit it here.