Flashing your headlights

[doonyc]

I heard that flashing your headlights to the incoming traffic is a warning for cops ahead?

[jollyeskimo]

I heard that flashing your headlights to the incoming traffic is a warning for cops ahead?

Yes it is.

[Carpe Diem]

Used to be on-off on-off, but that's hard to do with daytime headlights.

[charliebrown]

Used to be on-off on-off, but that's hard to do with daytime headlights.

Do people still do this? I have only seen truckers flash on-off on-off to warn upcoming speed traps

(and even with daylight running lights, i think it's still a visible difference when u do on-off on-off highbeam)

[unr3al]

Yes, I flash my headlights EVERY time I pass a speed trap. I wish more people would do the same.

Quite often I see people hitting their brakes as they go by me. I'm sure I have saved a couple people the odd ticket here and there.

[thelefteyeguy]

i do it (if req'd)....lots of speed traps in Scarlum.


under bridge at warden/danforth
under hill of birchmount/danforth
under the hill at the pizza hut (401/birchmount)
under hill at Brimley/401 onramp
stretch of road on midland from Sheppard and Finch

that's all i know in scarlum

[Bullseye]

Barely anyone does it anymore, probably because of the daytime running light issue.

I've never done it, I want people to get nailed with tickets if they are speeding excessively enough to get pulled over for it. If a speeder gets a ticket, then maybe they'll be more careful next time, and maybe someones life in future will be saved because of it. Maybe that life will be my own, or that of someone I love.

And before you ask, yes, I do have a perfect driving record for the past 13 years (and one of my vehicles is a high powered muscle car). I drive the speed of traffic, which is the safest speed to be going. If I want to drive fast, I go to the drag strip at Cayuga!

[galanz]

I do it most of the time if possible.

If speed traps were used to increase safety and not just for revenue I might have a different opinion.

[Bullseye]

'If speed traps were used to increase safety and not just for revenue I might have a different opinion'

How do you know the difference??

Either way, though, the result is the same, a speeding ticket will cause most people to drive more carefully in future, and that increases my safety on the road.

In my opinion, there are no where near enough police on the roads, I see people driving dangerously and getting away with it every single day.

[JuNGleR72]

I recieved alot of highbeams warning me of speed traps, im gratefull too so I return the favour when I pass one.

[galanz]

How do you know the difference??



Most speed traps I see are on wide open roads. Not on crowded side streets or school zones.

Either way, though, the result is the same, a speeding ticket will cause most people to drive more carefully in future, and that increases my safety on the road.


You're confusing slow with safe. They're not the same thing.
The most dangerous drivers I see out there are the clueless, zoned out, meandering, distracted driver. Not the guy going 10k over the speed limit. Regardless of what the police try to tell you speeding isn't the cause of most accidents, its carelessness and inattention. Police like to crack down on speeders because they're easy to catch and a good way to generate revenue.

[Bullseye]

'Most speed traps I see are on wide open roads. Not on crowded side streets or school zones. '

Not around here, most are in fact in school zones and on busy streets. Even still, many lethal accidents happen on wide open roads, there is a such a road near here called 'Killer 6', a four lane undivided highway with an 80kph limit. Speed is a factor in many of the accidents.


'You're confusing slow with safe. They're not the same thing.
The most dangerous drivers I see out there are the clueless, zoned out, meandering, distracted driver. Not the guy going 10k over the speed limit. Regardless of what the police try to tell you speeding isn't the cause of most accidents, its carelessness and inattention. Police like to crack down on speeders because they're easy to catch and a good way to generate revenue'

The problem is usually differences is speed, not speed itself, hence this is why travelling at the speed of traffic is safest. The secondary benefit is that the police won't usually ticket you for going 10kph over if everyone else it doing it as well. This is why I have no tickets, even though I often drive at 10kph over, as everyone else is doing that as well.

Bottom line: if you're so opposed to supposed revenue generating activity by police, you can guarantee you won't contribute to this tactic. Just don't speed.

[GangStarr]

my hid's dont have a high beam so I lay on the horn with my four ways and even wave my arm when I know theres a big and dangerous speed trap ahead. People in the city usually dont know what the hell your doing but outside of toronto on the smaller highways people know full well.

My butt has been saved twice by high beam flashers. Its common courtosy.

[Bullseye]

my hid's dont have a high beam so I lay on the horn with my four ways and even wave my arm when I know theres a big and dangerous speed trap ahead. People in the city usually dont know what the hell your doing but outside of toronto on the smaller highways people know full well.

My butt has been saved twice by high beam flashers. Its common courtosy.

That's hilarious! In the country, they probably think you're a lunatic, and in the city, they might start shooting at you. ;) At any rate, such a tactic could result in disorientating the other driver, causing them to get nervous and possibly cause an accident.

[joey3k]

they always do a speed trap on bloor street between jane and old mill (where that BRIDGE is) and it's a PURE revenue tactic.

I always flash my high beams to warn people when i'm passing that those losers are waiting on the other side to nab them for speeding (the road slopes down and if you're not paying attention it is very easy to accidentally go over the limit and get nailed.)

[joey3k]

P.S. has anyone ever been given a ticket for WARNING other drivers of a speed trap?? i heard you can get an "obstruction" ticket or something similar.

[dark169]

P.S. has anyone ever been given a ticket for WARNING other drivers of a speed trap?? i heard you can get an "obstruction" ticket or something similar.

stunting is a catch all ticket here in alberta, basicly doing anything to grab the attention of other drivers is stunting, so yes driving a nice car is stunting. Its a catch all.


Theres a big differance between speed traps and safety, if theres a speed trap in a residentai area, I let the people speed into it. But if I pass on on the highway where its all about volume not safety then I flash my high beams.

I have no problem with speeding tickets IF the revenue generated doesnt go to the police force, to me it seems like a conflect of intrest. The police force needs more money to fight crime, so they instruct officers to issue more tickets. But to me well paid and trained offeicers shouldn't be told to issue more tickets as they should issue ticekts everytime they judge it worthy while they go about their business of fighting crime.

[sshe11]

coool .. i didnt know this, next time i'll flash my lights when i pass a speed-trap ... thats if the cop didnt pull me over for speeding .. lol

[Bullseye]

Again, no one should have any problem at all with speeding tickets if they simply just don't drive faster than the rest of traffic is going. Forget all the BS excuses about revenue and quota's, that's just meaningless fluff as far as this debate goes.

If you drive faster than everyone else, you will stand out, and you'll be risking a ticket. If you then get one, you'll deserve it.

If you truly believe that speed limits are too low in some places, your resulting action should not be to just ignore it and then groan about it when you get a ticket, it should be to write your local politicians and try to get it changed. Fat chance on freeways, though, the increased fuel usage (and pollution) that go with higher freeway limits is not justified by your 'need' to get somewhere three minutes faster.

[dark169]

Again, no one should have any problem at all with speeding tickets if they simply just don't drive faster than the rest of traffic is going. Forget all the BS excuses about revenue and quota's, that's just meaningless fluff as far as this debate goes.

If you drive faster than everyone else, you will stand out, and you'll be risking a ticket. If you then get one, you'll deserve it.

If you truly believe that speed limits are too low in some places, your resulting action should not be to just ignore it and then groan about it when you get a ticket, it should be to write your local politicians and try to get it changed. Fat chance on freeways, though, the increased fuel usage (and pollution) that go with higher freeway limits is not justified by your 'need' to get somewhere three minutes faster.

again we all heard you and didn't listen :lol:

and btw the "going the speed of traffic" has exactly zero weight infront of the traffic judge. Going 20 over in traffic has even more safety issues then doing 20 over by yourself on the highway, just becuase everyone else is doing it doesnt mean your aloud to. Hell I got pull out of a group, while being passed by a truck, the reason? I was on a bike, we where all speeding and everyone speeds there, the cop sits there a few hours a day gets his whole days requiremetn for tickets and the traffic has never slown down, very effective policing :lol:

the contention isn't that the speed limits are to low, its the fact police tie ALL speeding tickets together under the guise of safety when this is just a bold face lie. Me doing 40 over on my motorcycle on the highway is alot differnt then some minivan doing 40 over thru the playground zone. Yet according to you it is.

[SkiD]

Again, no one should have any problem at all with speeding tickets if they simply just don't drive faster than the rest of traffic is going.

Except for photo radar here in Alberta, if you are going faster than the threshhold (usually 10%) you will get a ticket no matter if everyone else is going the same speed or not.

I usually stay within the 10% over and have never had a problem.

[Bullseye]

again we all heard you and didn't listen :lol:

and btw the "going the speed of traffic" has exactly zero weight infront of the traffic judge. Going 20 over in traffic has even more safety issues then doing 20 over by yourself on the highway, just becuase everyone else is doing it doesnt mean your aloud to. Hell I got pull out of a group, while being passed by a truck, the reason? I was on a bike, we where all speeding and everyone speeds there, the cop sits there a few hours a day gets his whole days requiremetn for tickets and the traffic has never slown down, very effective policing :lol:

the contention isn't that the speed limits are to low, its the fact police tie ALL speeding tickets together under the guise of safety when this is just a bold face lie. Me doing 40 over on my motorcycle on the highway is alot differnt then some minivan doing 40 over thru the playground zone. Yet according to you it is.

I see literacy isn't your strong point. :lol:

What, exactly, is the point that you're trying to make? That you should be allowed to drive 40kph over the speed limit when you deem it 'safe' to do so? Sorry, laws don't work that way. You know the law, obey it or pay your speeding tickets and stop complaining.

[galanz]

again we all heard you and didn't listen :lol:

and btw the "going the speed of traffic" has exactly zero weight infront of the traffic judge.

That and cops love it when a whole group of cars go past photo radar at 10KM over.

[Quick_lude]

What, exactly, is the point that you're trying to make? That you should be allowed to drive 40kph over the speed limit when you deem it 'safe' to do so? Sorry, laws don't work that way. You know the law, obey it or pay your speeding tickets and stop complaining.
Laws were made to be broken, especially ones that set speed limits artificially low for revenue purposes.

Didn't two guys get a ticket for driving side by side on a 400 series hwy at 100km/hr? For obstructing traffic? How do you explain that, they were obeying the law. :rolleyes:

Bottom line is, you should give a flash if you spot a speed trap. The only time perhaps I wouldn't is in a 40km/hr school zone, during school HOURS.

Hwy limits are a joke, they should be at least 120km/hr in the city and 140km/hr outside. Other countries don't seem to have a problem with this, only North America does, once again for revenue purposes.

[Bullseye]

Laws were made to be broken, especially ones that set speed limits artificially low for revenue purposes.

Didn't two guys get a ticket for driving side by side on a 400 series hwy at 100km/hr? For obstructing traffic? How do you explain that, they were obeying the law. :rolleyes:

Bottom line is, you should give a flash if you spot a speed trap. The only time perhaps I wouldn't is in a 40km/hr school zone, during school HOURS.

Hwy limits are a joke, they should be at least 120km/hr in the city and 140km/hr outside. Other countries don't seem to have a problem with this, only North America does, once again for revenue purposes.

No, laws were NOT made to be broken, I don't think that defence would stand up too well in court! ;)

The guys who blocked the 401 did indeed break law, they obstructed traffic. That they were going to limit while doing it is immaterial to the first.

I explained above why limits are not higher...higher speeds means more pollution (due to higher fuel usage). Limits used to be higher before the middle east oil crisis' of the 70's.

[Canuck_2005]

I always flash the high beams/fog lights when going through a trap. And i wish others would do the same as well.

The ticket in ontario in regards to notifing other drivers of a trap is usually the faliure to turn off your high beams. If im in a car with fog lights sometimes that is what i will flash.


Just a side note to those who live in a province with photo radar, Do those tickets count as points against you as well? i heard (and thought it was probably wrong) that photo radar tickets only are monetary and do not give you points. Also does those tickets effect your insurance?

[galanz]

Just a side note to those who live in a province with photo radar, Do those tickets count as points against you as well? i heard (and thought it was probably wrong) that photo radar tickets only are monetary and do not give you points. Also does those tickets effect your insurance?

The speeding tickets do not count against your license, I'm not sure about the red-light cameras though. They also don't affect insurance, they're pretty much just another money grab.

[doonyc]

Hwy limits are a joke, they should be at least 120km/hr in the city and 140km/hr outside. Other countries don't seem to have a problem with this, only North America does, once again for revenue purposes.

I'll back that up. Practically no one obeys the speed limit at 100 on the hwy anymore. Especially drivers on the express lanes gun their cars at 140 minimum, ppl pass by you with dirty looks if you drive at 100.

I always flash the high beams/fog lights when going through a trap. And i wish others would do the same as well.

I ALWAYS flash my high beam when I come across speed traps, but never get the same in return. Probably saved a few ppl out there.

Finch, east of Bayview, Steeles, east of Bayview, Morningside...

[joey3k]

another P.S.

Speed trap on Eastern Ave - big slope down when you're going over the DVP i believe.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

+1 more to the list

Victoria Park Ave. south of Eglinton, all the way to Dawes road is full of speed traps

[north77]

I usually flash my highbeams when I see a speed trap. I've actually had a few ppl raise their hands to thank me as they passed me.

I've had a warnings given in return.

That said, we should obey the limits.
They are there for a reason!!! There are too many people on the road who are going WAY to fast on the streets (i.e. 20+ over limit).

[Bullseye]

I usually flash my highbeams when I see a speed trap. I've actually had a few ppl raise their hands to thank me as they passed me.

I've had a warnings given in return.

That said, we should obey the limits.
They are there for a reason!!! There are too many people on the road who are going WAY to fast on the streets (i.e. 20+ over limit).

How do you justify your two conflicting views on this? You think people shouldn't speed, yet you flash your lights to allow them to continue speeding after passing the speed trap, with no consequence.

[thelefteyeguy]

+1 more to the list

Victoria Park Ave. south of Eglinton, all the way to Dawes road is full of speed traps

oops forgot about that one...it's usually setup during rush hour...when schools out :mad:

it's a 50 zone.

[fireguy9]

We have to wake up and get with the times! Ontario has one of the lowest speed limits around. The highway was designed for a higher speed then it is. The comment made that the increased fuel usage (and pollution) that go with higher freeway limits is not justified by your 'need' to get somewhere three minutes faster does not fly!!

Regardless of what the police try to tell you speeding isn't the cause of most accidents, its carelessness and inattention and people not adjusting to the conditions. Police like to crack down on speeders because they're easy to catch and a good way to generate revenue which they are told to do.

[Bullseye]

'The comment made that the increased fuel usage (and pollution) that go with higher freeway limits is not justified by your 'need' to get somewhere three minutes faster does not fly!!'

How so? I'd like to hear how you figure more pollution is an acceptable price to pay for small time savings.

[galanz]

'The comment made that the increased fuel usage (and pollution) that go with higher freeway limits is not justified by your 'need' to get somewhere three minutes faster does not fly!!'

How so? I'd like to hear how you figure more pollution is an acceptable price to pay for small time savings.

What kind of car do you drive? Does it get at least 60 MPG, if not how do you justify the increased pollution you create? Do you live close enough to walk to work? If not how do you justify your extra pollution? Etc, etc, etc

[Bullseye]

What kind of car do you drive? Does it get at least 60 MPG, if not how do you justify the increased pollution you create? Do you live close enough to walk to work? If not how do you justify your extra pollution? Etc, etc, etc

All totally irrelevant to this debate, we aren't discussing moral relativism here. Weak 'straw man' debate tactic.

[galanz]

All totally irrelevant to this debate, we aren't discussing moral relativism here. Weak 'straw man' debate tactic.

Heheh, just remember you started it there scarecrow. Who was it that brought up the pollution issue? Totally weak scarecrow.

[Bullseye]

Heheh, just remember you started it there scarecrow. Who was it that brought up the pollution issue? Totally weak scarecrow.

You don't actually know what a straw man argument is, do you? ;)

The point is that my contribution to pollution has nothing to do with the issue at debate here. Of course, every living human being is polluting, unless you live in a cave. Does that fact mean that we should not have policies to reduce pollution wherever possible? Of course not. You have to weigh the costs and benefits in each case, and in the case of freeway speeds, the benefit of higher limits to save small fractions of time, is not worth the added pollution it will cause to be spewed into our air.

Got it now?

At any rate, there is no plan in the works that I know of to increase freeway limits on a wide scale, so this whole debate is really a waste of time!

[galanz]

Whatever you say scarecrow. Heheh, you really crack me up.

[Tik]

The times that I flash my headlights are 1; when i see someone trying to turn left at an intersection and i plan not to stop 2; flash light at car ahead of me asking them to move or change lane if they are driving slow in fast lane.

[dark169]

the basic facts are road design and conditions set the safe speed to travel on a road, not some white sign on the side of the road. Here in north america we're lazy when it comes to posting speed limits, out side the city someone decide all highways shall be X (90, 100, 110 what ever) when in fact there a highways all across the country where a safe maximum (or limit if you will) would be 150 or 160. If you need proof of this ask a police officerwhy they dont pull people over for doing 1 over the limit, if 1 over is safe and 10 over is unsafe why not make the limit 109 and pull people over for 1 over?

I never said I should be aloud to go 140 in a 100 on the highway, I was pointing out that to the insurance company and the $$ value on the ticket it doesnt matter when/where/how I broke the speed limit which goes against the goal of the limit in the first place (keeping the roads safe and flowing freely).

The setting of a hard limit on something that is very subjective doesn't serve the purpose of the law. Get rid of speeding laws, make all speed signs a sugestion and have officers issue tickets for unsafe driving. If your doing 20km/h more thene everyone else switching lanes/ect then you get a ticket that reflects your actions. Pulling someone over becuase they where sitting in the left lane calmly passing people without effecting safety or flow does nothing except generate revenue.

[fireguy9]

Its time we get with the times and increase the speed limit on the highway and at least make like the U.S up to the 70mph range. 100km is pathetic

[Xtahse]

I still do it everytime I see speedtrap or pass one.
Everybody should do it, FIGHT THE SYSTEM!!

I'm not saying we should speed but seriously I think the speed limit for major roads should be 70 or 80 (like woodbine rd)

60 or sometimes 50 is just wayyy too slow
I'm not talkin about school zone or little streets. they are what they should be at ..20-40

[migxp]

Hey bullseye, are there any arguments made by other people that are not totally irrevelant ??

oh and BTW, before crapping us about your "increased pollution from going faster", could you point us to a well-documented study proving that fact ??
I'm not convince that me going 140kph on a 100kph road (don't forget to calculate that I'm on the road for less time since I am travelling faster) gives world WAY MUCH MORE pollution.

Finally, since you seems to be so stick on your pollution aspect of car speeding, even if you don't drive a hybrid car, what solutions do you prone yourself ? Do you take an extra 15 minutes from your time to take a longer road with a 80kph limit only because you'll polute less than if you were going on a 100kph road ?

[masterballer]

Didn't two guys get a ticket for driving side by side on a 400 series hwy at 100km/hr? For obstructing traffic? How do you explain that, they were obeying the law.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

thats funny...is it ture? lol....i would fight that one :D

speed limits are jokes....y cant canada be like germany? :confused:

[Bullseye]

Arguments made concerning speed and pollution would certainly be relevant! Diatribes about my personal contribution to pollution would not be. It's a pretty simple concept, really. The debate isn't about me, it's about why speed limits should not be raised.

Here's some articles showing the link between increased speed and increased pollution;

'Engine efficiency falls quickly beyond 70 mph.'
'Ministers are planning to crack down on motorists who speed on motorways in an attempt to meet government targets aimed at reducing Britain's emissions of greenhouse gases.'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,1642088,00.html

'The rate of emissions of certain air pollutants (e.g., carbon monoxide [CO], oxides of nitrogen [[NO.sub.x]]) per distance traveled increases exponentially with increases in travel speeds in private vehicles that run on petrol and in trucks and private vehicles that run on diesel fuel '

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0907/is_4_56/ai_79124875

'Are there scientific reasons for the lower speed limits in non-attainment areas?

Yes. Research on which the current state implementation plans (SIP) are based indicates that vehicle NOx emissions—precursors of ground-level ozone and smog—increase steadily and predictably at speeds over 45 mph. The commission will continue to study the effects of reduced speed limits on quality benefits as more science becomes available.'

http://www.drivecleanacrosstexas.org/faq/#question6

'VROM fought hard against this increase on environmental grounds. Research shows that each km/hr increase in average speeds translates roughly into a 1% increase in traffic pollution. A decrease in the general speed limit to 100 km/hr would create a one mega-tonne reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year, with similar scale reductions for PM10, NO2, and a host of other traffic-related emissions.'

http://www.sharedspaces.nl/pagina.html?id=9571#

[Agent_J]

the basic facts are road design and conditions set the safe speed to travel on a road, not some white sign on the side of the road. Here in north america we're lazy when it comes to posting speed limits, out side the city someone decide all highways shall be X (90, 100, 110 what ever) when in fact there a highways all across the country where a safe maximum (or limit if you will) would be 150 or 160. If you need proof of this ask a police officerwhy they dont pull people over for doing 1 over the limit, if 1 over is safe and 10 over is unsafe why not make the limit 109 and pull people over for 1 over?

I never said I should be aloud to go 140 in a 100 on the highway, I was pointing out that to the insurance company and the $$ value on the ticket it doesnt matter when/where/how I broke the speed limit which goes against the goal of the limit in the first place (keeping the roads safe and flowing freely).

The setting of a hard limit on something that is very subjective doesn't serve the purpose of the law. Get rid of speeding laws, make all speed signs a sugestion and have officers issue tickets for unsafe driving. If your doing 20km/h more thene everyone else switching lanes/ect then you get a ticket that reflects your actions. Pulling someone over becuase they where sitting in the left lane calmly passing people without effecting safety or flow does nothing except generate revenue.
QFT

[romsan04]

y cant canada be like germany? :confused:

Very simple, a lot of people cannot drive here, i.e. going 100Km/h in the left lane. Also a lot of them are trying to enforce speed limit by not allowing over people to drive as fast as they want.

Plus lots of people think that they own the road so they can drive as they want. That’s not acceptable.

[romsan04]

Arguments made concerning speed and pollution would certainly be relevant! Diatribes about my personal contribution to pollution would not be. It's a pretty simple concept, really. The debate isn't about me, it's about why speed limits should not be raised.

Here's some articles showing the link between increased speed and increased pollution;

'Engine efficiency falls quickly beyond 70 mph.'
'Ministers are planning to crack down on motorists who speed on motorways in an attempt to meet government targets aimed at reducing Britain's emissions of greenhouse gases.'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,1642088,00.html

'The rate of emissions of certain air pollutants (e.g., carbon monoxide [CO], oxides of nitrogen [[NO.sub.x]]) per distance traveled increases exponentially with increases in travel speeds in private vehicles that run on petrol and in trucks and private vehicles that run on diesel fuel '

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0907/is_4_56/ai_79124875

'Are there scientific reasons for the lower speed limits in non-attainment areas?

Yes. Research on which the current state implementation plans (SIP) are based indicates that vehicle NOx emissions—precursors of ground-level ozone and smog—increase steadily and predictably at speeds over 45 mph. The commission will continue to study the effects of reduced speed limits on quality benefits as more science becomes available.'

http://www.drivecleanacrosstexas.org/faq/#question6

'VROM fought hard against this increase on environmental grounds. Research shows that each km/hr increase in average speeds translates roughly into a 1% increase in traffic pollution. A decrease in the general speed limit to 100 km/hr would create a one mega-tonne reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year, with similar scale reductions for PM10, NO2, and a host of other traffic-related emissions.'

http://www.sharedspaces.nl/pagina.html?id=9571#

The thing is that 90% of drivers are not comfortable driving 100km/h so it would not hurt us as bad as UK.

[kahhhl]

I always do this. I always flash people to warn for cops if I see cars driving fast oncoming.

I was saved couple times from some folks who flashed me.
Cops always hide out just over the crest of bridges and there are a couple in my city. I remember vividly someone who JUST came over the crest of the bridge frantically flashed me (I guess he knew I was driving fast) and that saved me big time.

I am lucky to have a clean record (considering what I drive), no tickets, no accidents

I hope more people know about this.

[Quick_lude]

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with people getting caught speeding in city zones, especially school zone BUT with the way our insurance industry loves to jack up the rates after one gets a couple of minor tickets in say 6 months, even though those you were your first tickets in 10 years of driving, anytime you can get out of a ticket, all the power to you.

Our hwy speed limits are too low, the "accepted" speed on the 400 series hwys is 120km/hr, cops usually will not stop you for that.

But, in general speed traps have absolutely NOTHING to do with improving safety. How many times do you see speed traps on cold rainy or snowy days, when people SHOULD be driving slower? Very, very rarely. Usually it's on a nice sunny, clear day when driving faster if safe to do. Or, a speed trap in a school zone at 8pm at night, riiight... :rolleyes:

Thus, it's a money grab, thus we should help each other until the Police decide to proactively go after the real menace on the roads that cause accidents. I'm talking about inattentive drivers, aggresive weavers, left lane hogs that force you to pass on the right and thus cause a dangerous situation, cell phone talkers that weave all over the lane and cut you off, people eating, drinking, reading or ( my personal favourite ) driving with the right arm perched behind the passenger front seat. :eek:

[Canuck_2005]

Drive Dangerous, Obey the Limit

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5366552067462745475&q=A+Meditation+On+the+Speed+Limit

[LiquidCell]

my friend (somehow) never gets pulled over and she does like 160-170 on the 401 :S

[i-o_o-i]

My mom told me she heard from people at the office if in the middle of the night someone mysteriously flashes their lights at you or if there is a stalled car don't flash back because it may be gangs or whatever looking for a victim to shoot/kill. Anyone hear about that b4?

[Kasakato]

My mom told me she heard from people at the office if in the middle of the night someone mysteriously flashes their lights at you or if there is a stalled car don't flash back because it may be gangs or whatever looking for a victim to shoot/kill. Anyone hear about that b4?
Old story. The myth was that if you flash your headlights at them for not having their headlights on, you will be their next victim. It was an gang entrance thing. The problem is that no police force has any record of this.

[Codegen]

my friend (somehow) never gets pulled over and she does like 160-170 on the 401 :S

Same with my Dad. He also does 160 in 80s :P

[galanz]

My mom told me she heard from people at the office if in the middle of the night someone mysteriously flashes their lights at you or if there is a stalled car don't flash back because it may be gangs or whatever looking for a victim to shoot/kill. Anyone hear about that b4?

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/lightsout.asp

[doonyc]

Anyone been to the airport lately? the highway section, say 2km before your anywhere near the airpot is set at 50km/h?? The sign was basically useless! Everyone carried on at 100km/h. I slowed down to 50 and was immediately getting cut off.

I think flashing is a great system as a ''reminder''. Police baiting those ppl who drive ridiculously fast is fine with me. But, some of the speed limits are just not reasonable. 20 over is no threat. The government is already taking money from me for every penny i spend. Revenue from speeding is just too greedy..

[sapphire68]

Anyone been to the airport lately? the highway section, say 2km before your anywhere near the airpot is set at 50km/h?? The sign was basically useless! Everyone carried on at 100km/h. I slowed down to 50 and was immediately getting cut off.

haha yeah, one time I slowed down, and immediately all the cars (mostly taxi drivers) behind me changed lanes and flew by at 100km/h...that sign kinda is pointless since this road section is just like any other from the highway before, probably even smoother and have less traffic, and the many taxies continue at least at 100 anyway no matter what numbers are posted on the signs

[CodecX81]

I've seen someone do it while there was a cop car behind me.. The cop turned right around and nailed the guy.. prolly to question him on what the valid reason for flashing his lights was.

lol

[joey3k]

I've seen someone do it while there was a cop car behind me.. The cop turned right around and nailed the guy.. prolly to question him on what the valid reason for flashing his lights was.

lol


Did their end up being a speed trap ahead? maybe he was intentionally trying to get the attention of the cop-who knows


REGARDING the airport speed limit- i hear this is a huge revenue maker for cops..someone was mentioning to me that they gun that section occasionally and make $$$

[masterballer]

guys...i just saved atleast a few ppl today because i saw this thread..... :D

going south on this small road between yonge and bayview and there was this trap....my friends like slow down cop, but they were on the other side lookin for drivers on the other side and when i passed the cop stopped this suv by steppin in front of him lol....so anyways, RFD is usefull :)

[kingsley]

I think because I kept flashing my headlights, my car's headlights didn't work properly anymore...

I had to get it fixed by changing the electronic relay board.

[Shiifty]

The times that I flash my headlights are 1; when i see someone trying to turn left at an intersection and i plan not to stop 2; flash light at car ahead of me asking them to move or change lane if they are driving slow in fast lane.
You flash your headlights at someone turning left, when you plan on going straight through? :confused: Flashing headlights can also mean "ok, go ahead". Quite dangerous, as they may go thinking you'll stop or turn... Use your horn instead then.

[Shiifty]

I'll flash my beams if it's a speedtrap in a stupid area, like rural or 80-60 drops. Not for school zones, people deserve tickets for speeding through those areas.

I also flash beams if people have their lights are misaligned. This is a common problem and is easy to see, since one light will be pointed up and the other is ok. These idiots think that their lights are just "bright" and flash back ... Even the HID superbright lights aren't blinding when aligned correctly.

[joey3k]

You flash your headlights at someone turning left, when you plan on going straight through? :confused: Flashing headlights can also mean "ok, go ahead". Quite dangerous, as they may go thinking you'll stop or turn... Use your horn instead then.


I was going to post the same thing Shiifty -

Tik you should be very careful when highbeaming someone who is attempting a left turn in front of you- they might think you're letting them go.

[Wonton Soup]

I take it the people who are pro speed traps drive 100-110 km/h on the 401/403/QEW...















...that's what I thought

[Bullseye]

I take it the people who are pro speed traps drive 100-110 km/h on the 401/403/QEW...


You thought wrong. I actually do drive those speeds. So do most people on the busy streches around the GTA, it's mainly the yahoo ricers with their fart can cars who are driving 120-130kph on city highways

[adirtysanchez]

if you drive a standard you can flash your lights by pulling on the emergency brake just enough to flash your lights and not actualy use the brake . ;)

[Bullseye]

if you drive a standard you can flash your lights by pulling on the emergency brake just enough to flash your lights and not actualy use the brake . ;)

The daytime lights will go off on any car when you pull the e-brake, not just standards.

[dalinxz]

i didnt know this at all until the day before yesterday and yesterday we were going somewhere where i saw someone flash his lights i told my friend about this and he was like i didnt see anything another car does it he still didnt see then all of a sudden a blue crown vic is on the grass and a cop out of nowhere stops somebody we got soo lucky.

[Quick_lude]

So do most people on the busy streches around the GTA, it's mainly the yahoo ricers with their fart can cars who are driving 120-130kph on city highways
I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I read this..

I'd say HALF of the 400 series traffic moves along at 120 kph.. That includes the businessman in the Merc, the family guy in the Honda minivan and my own mother in a Toyota Tercel. :D
It's not only the "yahoo ricers".. :rolleyes:

[go leafs]

You thought wrong. I actually do drive those speeds. So do most people on the busy streches around the GTA, it's mainly the yahoo ricers with their fart can cars who are driving 120-130kph on city highways

lol... guess you don't take the 407 much ;)

[Quick_lude]

lol... guess you don't take the 407 much ;)
Exactly, the average speed on the 407 is even higher, around 130-140.

It just goes to show what a properly designed and constructed hwy combined with modern day automotive technology can accomplish. Properly flowing traffic at "Yikes! Think of the children!" :D 140 kph.

[joey3k]

Exactly, the average speed on the 407 is even higher, around 130-140.

It just goes to show what a properly designed and constructed hwy combined with modern day automotive technology can accomplish. Properly flowing traffic at "Yikes! Think of the children!" :D 140 kph.


The first time I went on the 407 I was amazed- my car was having a hard time keeping up with the traffic flow of 140 (right lane) 150 (middle lane) and 160 (left lane) NOTE BY THE WAY that all users of the 407 seem to understand the concept of the left lane as the PASSING lane.

[doonyc]

i heard rumors that the sensors for the 407 can calculate how fast you drove? the entrance and exit sensors can tell how long it took you to get from A to B. So, doesn't that mean driving within the limit will get you from one place to another in a specific time frame (if there's no traffic)..? is this bs or what?

[Andro]

I heard that flashing your headlights to the incoming traffic is a warning for cops ahead?

yes it is.....everyone in europe does that...not sure other regions.....finally it started to come to north america.......if everyone would do this more things would be much better, not to mention we could finally lower our insurance rates :D and make insurance companies more competitive.........so i say: DO IT EVERYTIME YOU SEE A SPEED TRAP! ;)

[galanz]

The daytime lights will go off on any car when you pull the e-brake, not just standards.

Not on my car. The DRL turn on when I release the parking brakes, but they don't turn off until I turn off the ignition.

[Bullseye]

The DRL's have gone off with the e-brake with every automatic I've owned, maybe they're changing that now. Not that it matters.

[galanz]

The DRL's have gone off with the e-brake with every automatic I've owned, maybe they're changing that now. Not that it matters.

Mine's not an automatic, I'm not sure if that's the difference. I'd like it if they did turn off with the e-brake though.

[TrickyBoi]

Just for confirmation, DRL on every car I've ever driven, auto or manual, turn off the moment you pull the hand brake.

I don't really get the debate going on here. Correct me if I am wrong, but people seem to think it's ok to break the law because they don't like it. In this case, the speed limit, because you all insist that it is a cash grab and artificially low. It might be a bit low for some people, but with driver education in Ontario being as piss poor as it is, I think it's fine. I have seen plenty of people on the highway who couldn't even control their cars at 100 km/h, nevermind 120 or 140. Besides, from a safety point of view, slower is, in general, safer. Not in all cases, because if you suck at driving you will suck no matter how slow you are, but slower driving will usually give you more reaction time for when you or somebody around you screws up.

If you guys want to know what a real cash grab is, look at Drive Clean instead.

[Mclaren-7]

Just for confirmation, DRL on every car I've ever driven, auto or manual, turn off the moment you pull the hand brake.

I don't really get the debate going on here. Correct me if I am wrong, but people seem to think it's ok to break the law because they don't like it. In this case, the speed limit, because you all insist that it is a cash grab and artificially low. It might be a bit low for some people, but with driver education in Ontario being as piss poor as it is, I think it's fine. I have seen plenty of people on the highway who couldn't even control their cars at 100 km/h, nevermind 120 or 140. Besides, from a safety point of view, slower is, in general, safer. Not in all cases, because if you suck at driving you will suck no matter how slow you are, but slower driving will usually give you more reaction time for when you or somebody around you screws up.

If you guys want to know what a real cash grab is, look at Drive Clean instead.


Hell yes, Drive Clean is the real cash grab if anything. Pretty much everyone with a car will, at some point in time, has to do drive clean. Not everyone speeds, so people who don't speed, or who don't get caught, don't give any money to the goverment.