We all used to flash back in the Stone Age.

But today flashing is a warning that there's a cop with radar somewhere on the road. So I never flash.

But once in a while I'll wave if I think the other driver understands, and it's usually only on empty back roads.

 

I flash and sometimes get wave back, sometimes a middle finger salute.

 

Oh, I hope you're kidding!

For one P-car driver to give the finger to another...wow. There's a special level of hell for people like that, lol.

 

I never do and I do not see the point at all.

I was raised in a different culture where flashing headlights may mean different things depending on the time of the day or the place we are driving.

I do not assume that Porsche ownership or any other car ownership automatically qualifies one for "car enthusiast".

 

What meanings do you have in mind?

 

I also grew up in a similar country.
During the days, it meant your headlights are on. For some reason, it meant being wasteful (wear and tear on the bulb and the extra energy used).
During the nights, it meant your headlights are in my face, have some courtesy and stop blinding me.

That said, it doesen't take a few days for you to realize road etiquettes around here. Early on in 99 when I had my Z3 and there weren't as many, I remember exchanging flashes everytime I saw another one. Unfortunately over the years, as more of the same kind populated the roads, the flashes became meaningless and definitely less reciprocated. The 911, however, is definitely more rare and I can be certain I'll be flashing and reciprocating flashes with other 911s.

 

If you're from LA, you know what he means. I wouldn't flash my lights driving around in any car, from Florence Ave to Alondra Blvd for example.......

 

shammi mentioned some. As darkness comes on, it can be a reminder to an oncoming motorist to turn on his lights, in undivided roads it could mean an upcoming radar trap, etc.

Given the amount of traffic in Los Angeles, I have no time/desire to flash my lights to any car. It will almost surely be misinterpreted or the intended target will not even understand.

There is also the urban legend that flashing lights might mean something else in neighborhoods where gangs are active. I have been working not too far from South Central for 23 years now but this is not the reason that I do not flash my lights. IMHO, flashing lights has to serve as a useful signal to an oncoming motorist that will be understood properly.

 

Thanks. In Europe flashing lights as seen by incoming trap is a sign of a speed trap and as seen from behind a sign to move over to the right lane.

 

If you are driving correctly, you will want both hands on the wheel and your closing speed will be too great to notice the other Porsche until it is too late to flash your lights.

 

You can reach the flasher with your fingers without taking your hands off the wheel if that's what you mean. I "aim high" when I drive, looking well down the road. It's easy to spot another Porsche coming, especially at anything less than expressway speeds.

As to the posts about flashing other Porsches in city traffic, that is pretty pointless as who you're flashing or why could be anybody's guess. The usual situation when I signal is on an open 2 lane road when you see another Porsche coming. A wave and/or a flash are much less likely to be misunderstood and are usually returned in that situation.

 

Since there are only three 911's in the State of Nebraska (perhaps 10),
we always wave at one another, and frequently we pull over to talk
and ultimately become best friends.

 

agree with mike...on a two lane road, it's almost a requirement from my perseptive.

 

I tend to wave (to reserve the flash for cases of 'watch out behind me'.. and try and just wave.

 

To date I've had more waves (or wave backs) from Corvette drivers. Passed a nice 997 today and the guy looked like a dolt, didn't even turn his giant head as I passed by.

Sorta agree with the flashing on a small road I might do ONE quick blink (several blinks usually means "cop ahead") On the Interstate - oncoming p-cars are too far away for any acknowledgement here in ATL.