Misuse of Headlight flashing...

[Hector]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070289

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.

Why do we never get public awareness campaigns or such despite misuse of flashing having caused close calls, accidents and deaths for decades I've never heard of anyone getting a tug for it.

Does anyone else find this somewhat strange?

For me, the flashing of the headlight is used for alerting a driver of my presence prior to overtaking. If I'm going to use it as a warning, I'll hold it on for a good few seconds and I'll be slowing down in expectation that it won't work.

How do you folks use your headlight flash?

 

[Hector]

I usually flash my headlights at drivers coming in the opposite direction when I have just passed the police....

I've heard of people getting tugged for that!! Police are sneaky, sometimes more hide down the road a bit and look out for such warnings and even further down some more will be ready and waiting to issue fines.

 

[Hector]

In the continent however, people do use it as a warning

They use the horn too, only here folk get moody when they hear someone tooting them because thats something else that has been misused over the years. It should say "look out mate, I'm here" but folk mostly use it as a "You ******* **** ******"

Some of our best tools for being noticed can hardly be used without others taking it the wrong way.