Dear Sir,
Flashing your headlights to invite a pedestrian to cross the road, or a driver to enter or leave a junction or passed an obstruction is DANGEROUS. The correct use of a Flash of the Headlights is a “warning”, when a blast of the horn would be inappropriate. Drivers should also be aware of Flash For Cash.
A concerned Motorist.
Editor: Police are reporting a rise in the number of deliberate ‘flash for cash’ car accidents, the Accident Advice Helpline offers advice to drivers on avoiding becoming a victim of the fraudulent insurance and compensation scam
The scam involves road users flashing their lights at cars waiting at junctions, as if they are about to let them pull out, but then deliberately crashing into them and claiming insurance money as well as compensation payments.
It is said to be costing insurance companies hundreds of millions of pounds a year, as the criminals often claim for damage to their car as well as making personal injury claims for whiplash, sometimes even for people who were never in the car.
On top of this, the fraudsters are said to have fabricated bills for vehicle removal, storage, car hire and other expenses, claiming tens of thousands of pounds as a result of the accident.
The Highway Code says drivers should: “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. Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.”