So I had a slight bump!

In my humble opinion if the car that stopped to let her out was seen to wave her or flash her out I think the blame lays with them !

I NEVER flash or beckon anyone out of a junction or drive ..but if i am sure that no one is filtering alongside me I slow to let them make their own decision .

I can't start to think of how I would feel if I waved someone out and they caused an accident.

I think it should be againt the law to do this anyway !

Glad you are OK

Originally Posted by caz650s

I NEVER flash or beckon anyone out of a junction or drive ..but if i am sure that no one is filtering alongside me I slow to let them make their own decision .

That's exactly how I teach my learners to think. Never make a desicion on someone elses behalf, and never let others make them for you.

Originally Posted by caz650s

I think it should be againt the law to do this anyway !

With regard to flashing lights, technically it is.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by caz650s

I think it should be againt the law to do this anyway !

Absolutely not!

all it needs is for everybody to realise that it means I am letting you out, but responsibility still lies with you whether it is safe to come out.

IMHO

That's why I (eg pedestrians at crossings) tend to nod to try & say yes I am stopping for you rather than direct them to move (don't know if they understand though )
Tried thinking of an example of cars at junctions, but I guess I don't let them out

Originally Posted by Stu

all it needs is for everybody to realise that it means I am letting you out, but responsibility still lies with you whether it is safe to come out.

IMHO

I'd be having a look at your highway code. That's NOT what flashing your lights is for. The problem is that everyone thinks it IS what it's for.

Originally Posted by Stu

That's why I (eg pedestrians at crossings) tend to nod to try & say yes I am stopping for you rather than direct them to move (don't know if they understand though )
Tried thinking of an example of cars at junctions, but I guess I don't let them out

Again, don't give any kind of signal at all as it gives the pedestrian a false sense of security. You may be stopping for them, but the driver coming the other way or the pr1ck trying to overtake you, may not. By all means stop but let people make their OWN desicions.

Originally Posted by Woz

I'd be having a look at your highway code. That's NOT what flashing your lights is for. The problem is that everyone thinks it IS what it's for.

Quite correct. The trouble is, it IS recognised by the majority of drivers as a way of relenting priority for other road users. As such, I am in the same position as you, I never flash my lights or indicate in any other way I am relenting priority.

It must be a driver instructor thing.

[Stu]

So how do the 2 of you put up with the frustration of waiting for someone to cross/pull out if they won't do it until you have reached them & stopped whereas they would have finished by the time you got to them if they had only known that you would stop/give way?

Or are you just miserable B'stards & don't let anyone out

Sorry Jon for the derail

Originally Posted by Stu

Or are you just miserable B'stards & don't let anyone out

That'll be it then.

[KnightRider]

Originally Posted by Stu

So how do the 2 of you put up with the frustration of waiting for someone to cross/pull out if they won't do it until you have reached them & stopped whereas they would have finished by the time you got to them if they had only known that you would stop/give way?

Or are you just miserable B'stards & don't let anyone out

Sorry Jon for the derail

The highway code says that the flashing of lights should be used to indicate your presenance (ie tell people you are there). My driving instructor told me that in the real world the flashing of lights indicated that you are there and that you are staying there.

That works well for me. If I want to let someone out then I flash them to say I am here and I am not moving. It is then up to them to check the road is clear.

I flash to let people out all the time. If I get flashed, I thank the car, CHECK TO SEE IF THE WAY IS ACTUALLY clear, then go. The responsibility lies with the manoeuverer. On a bike, I am aware of this same situation arising, so I stop filtering if a mysterious gap appears.

Which is exactly why I don't. The highway code states one thing, but it is interpreted differently by different people. Leaving misinterpretation wide open.

Taken directly from the highway code.

110

Flashing headlights. 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.

Now that is as far as I can see. Clear cut. For an instructor to advice against what is written in the highway code, in my opinion is wrong. Him just suggesting an alternative reason for flashing your headlights is just encouraging misinterpretation of the facts and futher compounding the issue.