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Don't Get Caught Members > WOOR: Debate Sparks Over Flashing Your Headlights

WOOR: Debate Sparks Over Flashing Your Headlights

Jan 5, 2021

Australian Woman Sparks Furious Debate Over Whether It's Okay To Flash Your Headlights To Warn Other Drivers About Police Cars Waiting Ahead

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An Australian woman has started a heated debate online about whether drivers should flash their headlights to warn others about nearby police.

Kassidy Collins, from Victoria, shared a video to TikTok in an attempt to discover whether flashing headlights to warn drivers is a global practice.

In the clip, she is seen filming oncoming traffic and asking drivers if they practice similar warnings for police in their country.

'I just want to know if in your country or wherever you live, how do you let each other know there are cops ahead?'

'Because here in Australia we flash our headlights at each other', she said.

A white Ford Falcon travelling in the opposite direction quickly flashes their headlights to the woman, warning her of police ahead.

Not even a second later, a black Holden Commodore also flashes their lights more than once.

The viral video has garnered more than two million views with other Australian and international viewers familiar with the practice.

'In Australia we do it for cops and unmarked speeding cameras', an Australian user said.

'Respect to anyone who flashes', another said.

'We do the same in the UK but as far as I know, it's pretty universal', another added.

The practice in Malaysia also drew the attention of other users.

In Malaysia, we will flash the headlights 2x for police bc 'po-lice' has 2 syllables. But if there's a JPJ (The Road Transport Msia), we do 3x', one said.

But the video didn't have unanimous praise online, with some condemning the action of warning unsafe drivers.

'I live in Australia and I would never flash someone. Too bad if you are caught speeding, don't speed in the first place', a user said.

'Good way to let other drives know how to kill innocent people! Let them learn the rules on the road', another said.

According to NRMA, there is no specific Road Rule in NSW that states that you are not allowed to dip your lights to warn other road users that the police are ahead.

However, you could potentially receive an infringement if a police officer alleges that while you were warning another driver, you are also likely to dazzle them.

NSW Road Rule 219 states a driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver's vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user. This type of offence can attract 1 demerit point and a $110 fine.

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Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9109477/Australian-woman-sparks-debate-okay-flash-headlights-warn-drivers.html?