When someone flashes their lights at you, they are usually telling you to slow down because there is a police officer with a speed camera or speed camera in front of you, or there may be a stationary speed camera car nearby.
- Flashing your headlights can help warn other drivers of your intent
- Drivers often flash their lights to warn other road users of the police presence
- Rules vary between jurisdictions
The other reason someone flashes their light is to let you know that you didn’t turn the light on.
But is it illegal to do this? Depends on where you do it.
In New South Wales There is no specific law about flashing your lights to warn other road users. However, if you are found to be doing this and ‘blinding’ another road user or using your high beams within 200 meters of another vehicle, you could be fined and demerit points may apply.
However, one police officer we spoke to said he was “all for it” and that “if it helps slow people down, it could save a life.” Seems like great logic.
In the Northern TerritoryRoad users are actively encouraged to flash their headlights when interacting with road trains (trucks with multiple trailers). If you are overtaken by a road train, the Road Safety Rules and Conditions website states: “When the road train has passed, flash your headlights to inform the driver that it is safe to re-enter.”
According to the RACV Victoria is strict when it comes to warning other road users about speed cameras. This motoring club reports that “it is not permitted to flash your headlights to warn other drivers of a mobile speed camera”, but we couldn’t find any specific law in the Victorian Road Safety Rules 2017 that says this.
“Drivers can briefly switch their headlights to high beam to warn a vehicle in front that they are about to overtake,” says the RACV.
“The use of headlights with high beam is not permitted within 200 m of an oncoming vehicle or vehicle traveling in the same direction as it can blind the other driver.”
The rules are of the same mindset Queensland.
“You must not turn on your high beams when another vehicle is within 200m of you – this includes when you are following someone and if they are driving towards you,” the Queensland government says.
“Before overtaking another vehicle, you may flash your headlights briefly, but be careful not to blind other road users. A fine can be imposed for incorrect use of high beam.”
In Tasmania The law states that it is illegal to “use high beams within 200 meters of a moving vehicle.” If you do this, you could face a $181 fine and one penalty point.
The Australian Capital Territory has similar legislation: “The driver of a vehicle shall not use the vehicle’s headlights on high beam or allow the vehicle’s headlights to be used on high beam when the driver is driving: (a) less than 200 m behind a moving vehicle in the.” same direction as the driver; or (b) less than 200 meters from an oncoming vehicle.” If the offense is brought to court, a fine of up to $5,500 may be imposed.
However, according to the ACT, the driver may “briefly switch the headlights from low beam to high beam immediately before beginning to overtake the vehicle,” provided the light does not serve to “dazzle other road users.”
South Australia does not specify such a rule for flashing your headlights, except that you can “flash your headlights momentarily while your high beams are on to indicate to another driver that you are about to overtake.”
In Western Australia, “High beam is not permitted: when driving less than 200 m behind a vehicle; or when an oncoming vehicle is less than 200 m away or the headlights are dimmed.”
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant highway authority in your state or territory.