UK Drivers Face £200 Fines, Points for Headlight Flashing Breaches

UK motorists face fines up to £200 and penalty points for flashing their headlights to communicate messages other than alerting others to their presence, which breaches Highway Code Rule 110. Common practices such as flashing headlights to warn of speed cameras, yield at junctions, or acknowledge other drivers are technically illegal and can lead to penalties ranging from £100 to £200 and three to six penalty points for careless driving. More severe penalties of up to £1,000 apply to drivers who flash their lights to warn others about police speed traps, as this can be prosecuted as wilfully obstructing a constable under Section 89 of the Police Act 1996. Experts emphasize that while many drivers flash their lights with good intentions, the law is clear that flashing should only be used to indicate a vehicle’s presence. Authorities, including the Crown Prosecution Service, actively target the practice of alerting others to police operations, making it a significant legal risk. Drivers are advised to only flash headlights to indicate presence to avoid financial and legal consequences.