The Flasher

[Xose]

OK, so I maybe should read the Spanish highway code, but I'm fairly sure this wouldn't be on it any way.

When driving the other day, I had to turn left - therefore across oncoming traffic. So there I was waiting for a few cars to go by, and the last in the queue was a fair bit behind the one in front of him, but I wasn’t going to take a chance in any case. The car flashed its main lights at me three or four times. My UK driving instincts kicked in for a fraction of a second and that gave my brain enough time to think “WOW” you’re in Spain, what does that mean…. “Watch out, I’m here” or “Go ahead”??? I don't think the guy slowed down so that should tell me but on a 50Kmph it's difficult to tell.

Does any one know what that means here? I know what the too bloody popular horn means, but not sure about flashing main beam as I've hardly ever seen it used here. It would be interesting to know.

Xose

[jojo]

I think it means, either he thought he knew you, he was flashing his lights to the tune of the music on his stereo or he'd got his sleeve caught on the light stick!!!!!! ... or he could have been an expat???

Seriously tho, I've no idea! In the UK its supposed to mean warning, but people nearly always use it as a "go on then"

Spanish driving is a complete mystery to me!! I wouldnt even hazzard a guess at what the horn means in Spain, half the time its cos they've seen their mate and they follow it by doing an emergency stop and hanging out of their window to have a chat!

Jo xx

[jkchawner]

quote I wouldnt even hazzard a guess at what the horn means in Spain,

lol jo as u always say deff blonde lol

[Tallulah]

I think it's the opposite here. In the UK if you flash them, it's a signal for them to pull out. Here if you flash them, it means wait, I'm coming.

Tally.x

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Tallulah

I think it's the opposite here. In the UK if you flash them, it's a signal for them to pull out. Here if you flash them, it means wait, I'm coming.

Tally.x

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by Tallulah

I think it's the opposite here. In the UK if you flash them, it's a signal for them to pull out. Here if you flash them, it means wait, I'm coming.

Tally.x

In my neck of the woods it usually means go ahead, but I say usually, so you're always left with the doubt...
Just to keep you guessing

[Tallulah]

Originally Posted by Pesky Wesky

In my neck of the woods it usually means go ahead, but I say usually, so you're always left with the doubt...
Just to keep you guessing

Well, for anyone who knows my area well, at times it can be pretty tight - especially when it's wet and there's little room for manoeuvre - and not to mention if you're faced with some big boy tractor...frantic hand signals and flashing from both sides to let you know who's coming - and I'm RHD.

Tally.xx

[anles]

I have the advantge of having learn't to drive here... it's part of the standard teórico learning to decipher the flashes. There are four main instances...
1) The first instance when someone overtaking comes t close so you have raise your foot from the accelarator, three swift furious flashes signal...you f****** stupi w****, you're gonna kill us all (swearing colourfully is also part of standard Spanish driving lessons).
2) When someone ahead of you is about to maneuver invading your space... as you're not in a hurry, still have ten minutes till kids come out and you remember how grateful you were when somene last allowed you to complete an awkward maneuver, you magnanimously slow down and flash once to say... ok, you can pull out... normally they don't trust you are actually letting them out... so you slow down a little more, and flash twice to say.. come on then, don't take all day... if they still don't move, you flash finally once more as you put your foot down to say... please yourself, too late now...
3) The third instance is when you see a familiar car, you flash your lights (just once) to say... wow, long time no see, how are the kids, let's meet up and have a drink soon ...often to find a complete stranger who will automatically slow down as he thinks you are applying the fourth instance
4) The fourth instance... the one I really hate is a random flash when you're doing a nice steady speed, complying with all the regulations, but inevitably results in your foot immediately reducing your speed by at least 20km per hour even if you're below the limit and means, the guardia are round the next bend... I don't agree with this one, they are there to catch all the uninsured drunkards who are speeding, but I still react by instinct.

[Tallulah]

Originally Posted by anles

I have the advantge of having learn't to drive here... it's part of the standard teórico learning to decipher the flashes. There are four main instances...
1) The first instance when someone overtaking comes t close so you have raise your foot from the accelarator, three swift furious flashes signal...you f****** stupi w****, you're gonna kill us all (swearing colourfully is also part of standard Spanish driving lessons).
2) When someone ahead of you is about to maneuver invading your space... as you're not in a hurry, still have ten minutes till kids come out and you remember how grateful you were when somene last allowed you to complete an awkward maneuver, you magnanimously slow down and flash once to say... ok, you can pull out... normally they don't trust you are actually letting them out... so you slow down a little more, and flash twice to say.. come on then, don't take all day... if they still don't move, you flash finally once more as you put your foot down to say... please yourself, too late now...
3) The third instance is when you see a familiar car, you flash your lights (just once) to say... wow, long time no see, how are the kids, let's meet up and have a drink soon ...often to find a complete stranger who will automatically slow down as he thinks you are applying the fourth instance
4) The fourth instance... the one I really hate is a random flash when you're doing a nice steady speed, complying with all the regulations, but inevitably results in your foot immediately reducing your speed by at least 20km per hour even if you're below the limit and means, the guardia are round the next bend... I don't agree with this one, they are there to catch all the uninsured drunkards who are speeding, but I still react by instinct.

Boas nena - thanks for that!!!

I'd almost forgotten about the fourth one - and it is a classic. In fact, I can't believe I'd forgotten because I have it on good authority from one of the OH's many relatives in many places, including Trafico, that that is one flash that no-one can take the hefty fine off, if caught doing it. Apparently, the Guardia have been known to set up "stings" where the motorbike cops would be in clear sight for all to see and around the bend, as you put it, would be a parked civvy car whose sole purpose was to catch the flashers. Amazingly then, if your enchufes and chupito buddies are good contacts, parking, minor speeding, touching the continuous white line and various other minor offences can be, shall we say, lost in the system - but flashing oncoming traffic to warn cannot.

I guess I can understand as looking at it harshly, it is preventing the course of justice and one could say the others mentioned above are you and only you, whereas flashing to warn is perhaps "aiding and abetting"?!?!

So thanks for reminding me! Must remember not to flash - or flash with caution, having just passed the police.

Tally.xx

BTW - always surprises me to see GC in full uniform enjoying a couple of vinos and tapas and a smoke in my aunt's bar....is it normal they get breaks whilst on duty? Or is this country really that chilled out??