Millions of drivers make common headlight mistake and risk huge fines

Millions of drivers have been warned they are committing a traffic offence relating to their headlights - and many don't even know they are doing anything wrong. Drivers could be at risk of fines if spotted making this common mistake.

It's all about flashing headlights. This is done on the roads every day, usually to give way to a fellow motorist and signal to them they can turn into or out of a junction.

Drivers may also flash headlights to thank someone. Despite this being a common method of communication for motorists, it's actually against the Highway Code.

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Flashing of headlights is not allowed for any other reason than to let another driver know you are there for safety reasons and to avoid a crash. It's possible confusion could arise if one driver thinks they have been flashed to go when they haven't. Despite the rule, motorists may be unlikely to be punished, though fines of up to £1,000 are possible.

More serious is flashing lights to alert other drivers to police vans or speed cameras up ahead. Police may take a dim view of this.

A spokesperson from BigWantsYourCar.com said: "Flashing headlights is commonly used by drivers to signal other motorists, but many are unaware that this practice can land them with a substantial fine. The Highway Code is clear: headlights should only be used to let other road users know you are there, not for signalling purposes such as warning of speed cameras or other hazards.

"Misusing them can be considered an obstruction to the police, which carries the risk of a £1,000 fine. Many drivers may not realise that warning others of speed checks or police presence by flashing their headlights can be seen as an obstruction. If caught, this could result in fines or even a court appearance."