Why are people flashing their lights at me? And... cars with lights out?

[MrZ]

Ok two things, firstly in the past week or so, I've been flashed on two occasions. Why? I have a 2010 car, all my lights are in working order. The first time was even during the day! The second time, was just late this evening, by a tram!! I was going about 45 in a 40 zone, I had my normal headlights on plus fog lights. Nothing out of the ordinary I would think? Both times, the vehicle/tram was coming from the opposite direction? Can someone think of a reason ?? (PS - I don't have a Ford, but don't hold that against me).

Secondly, on the topic of lights, I've noticed quite a few vehicles with only 1 tail light working, or one headlight significantly brighter than the other, things like that. What I'm wondering is, how are the mechanics who service these cars missing these things?? Surely a simple light test is part of every routine service? People often blame the owners for these things, but I think the mechanics are at fault some of the time for not picking these problems up!! (or maybe they do, but the owner is simply too cheap to do anything about it?).

[Jim Goose]

Fog lights are illegal to be on when there isnt fog.... for starters.
And are you sure your not on high beam... Even in daylight high beam is an annoyance to on coming cars.

[MrZ]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Fog lights are illegal to be on when there isnt fog.... for starters.
And are you sure your not on high beam... Even in daylight high beam is an annoyance to on coming cars.

Technically fog lights are illegal, but so is flashing someone for having their fog lights on. So is having only 1 functioning tail-light, as I have already mentioned. My high beams are also never on. Around my area and most of Melbourne, I think, fog lights are very commonly used at night and it is almost never enforced. I highly doubt this tram driver is flashing everyone who has their fogs on, because he would soon be in trouble if he did.

[XF Falcon]

Maybe the guy in the day flashing his high beams at you to warn you of a speed camera? And the tram driver was just annoyed at your foglights being bright?

[XR6T0Y]

Generally one light will be darker than the other to not blind oncoming traffiic. The Ef/EL falcon is the best example. How many have you seen drive by with the driver side light rather dull? High beam works as normal, but low is dimmed to not get in others eyes

[Ben73]

Perhaps your fog lights are brighter then most other cars fog lights and it's annoying people.
For every car that flashes you there is probably 100 who are annoyed by your lights that don't flash.

Newcastle went through the fog lights phase. It was at its peak about 1.5 years ago.
I noticed Mudgee was at its peak about 5-6 months ago.

Here in Newcastle we still have fog light Thursday. Seams to be pretty popular.

[XR6T0Y]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Perhaps your fog lights are brighter then most other cars fog lights and it's annoying people.
For every car that flashes you there is probably 100 who are annoyed by your lights that don't flash.

Newcastle went through the fog lights phase. It was at its peak about 1.5 years ago.
I noticed Mudgee was at its peak about 5-6 months ago.

Here in Newcastle we still have fog light Thursday. Seams to be pretty popular.

The Hunter is horrible for that. Especially cars that sit higher with both their foglights and headlights in your eyes!

[mwoo1612]

I would probably guess a speed camera warning, maybe? What part of Melbourne, if you don't mind?

[Pinkbits]

Oncoming headlights may appear to have differences in brightness, this can also be attributed to them not being correctly alighned & adjusted.

[MrZ]

Originally Posted by mwoo1612

I would probably guess a speed camera warning, maybe? What part of Melbourne, if you don't mind?

First incident was Alma Rd, St. Kilda which is only a 1 lane, 60 km/h road with very low traffic (and very few speeders). Unlikely to be a speed camera but you never know? Tonight was on Toorak Rd. My fog lights are also not particularly bright, just standard ones. It's also a 4 door sedan so they're not high up either.

[mwoo1612]

Maybe you've annoyed the Toorak tractor brigade!
Actually a while back, i thought i was being flashed a couple of times, from behind. I couldn't find anything, then i realised it was just the other cars lights moving up and down on the uneven roads. Every time they went over a small bump in the road, their lights looked like they were flashing at me!

[randel]

So turn the fog lights off and see if you still get flashed???!!!

[MrZ]

Originally Posted by mwoo1612

Every time they went over a small bump in the road, their lights looked like they were flashing at me!

lol. Well, I have projector headlights which are meant to reduce this problem, compared to reflector lamps? Or could these type of headlights be creating an entirely new kind of problem that I'm not aware of?

[Neale]

I'd say turn the foglights out as well. As the name suggests they are for fog or low visability.

[SPArKy_Dave]

Originally Posted by MrZ

lol. Well, I have projector headlights which are meant to reduce this problem, compared to reflector lamps? Or could these type of headlights be creating an entirely new kind of problem that I'm not aware of?

HID's + bad angle = glare, then people think you have the high beams on.

[82XD393.3v]

some vehicles are fitted with a high intensity rear red light ment for bad visability conditions hyundi have them very annoying, also it is illegal and annoying to have some one diving around the city with fog lights on not cool

[82XD393.3v]

as the owner of the vehicle, you that's right you are responsible for the condition of your car lights,tires, brakes and everything gee you must be under 25 i guess

[Revolver]

Because generally cars with one headlight cant afford a mechanic. Look at the condition & age of the car. There are exceptions. But generally these drivers cant affird a spanner man.

[mike_nofx]

So you're allowed to illegally be using your fog lights because people who flash you, or have blown light globes are doing illegal things too?

Turn off the fog lights.

[satria]

Turn your fog lights off you slapper, you don't look cooler with them on!

[Bucknaked]

Turn em off

[LTDHO]

As above. Turn off ya fog lights. They are not necessary.

Also, I also see lots of cars without working lights, police seem to ignore these cars unless they are hooning. So people don't care.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by MrZ

Technically fog lights are illegal, but so is flashing someone for having their fog lights on. So is having only 1 functioning tail-light, as I have already mentioned. My high beams are also never on. Around my area and most of Melbourne, I think, fog lights are very commonly used at night and it is almost never enforced. I highly doubt this tram driver is flashing everyone who has their fogs on, because he would soon be in trouble if he did.

Where in the ARR does it say flashing lights is illegal?

[Rodp]

You're unlikely to be dazzled by an oncoming vehicle with only one working head light. Can't say the same for fog lights. Turn them off and I guarantee oncoming vehicles will only flash you to warn you of speed cameras.

[vanman_75]

You got fogs on , you get my hids ...yes I see em all scratching their head trying to work it out

[ratter]

is your light alignment correct?
has the suspension been changed at all?
do you have much weight in the rear of the car?

[Ford_The_Win]

They're flashing you because it's extremely annoying (and illegal) when people drive with their fog lights on for no reason. If you're driving up Toorak Rd there's no reason why you need them. A kangaroo isn't gonna jump out in front of you. Turn the bloody things off.

[Kryton]

Take the hint and get your lights aligned properly.

[Pinkbits]

We are done now.
OP, it is illegal to use the fog/running lights fitted to your car unless the conditions allow for, just like it is to use your horn & flash oncoming cars unless it is necessary.