General Biking Discussion Approved.

I use it for two instances, to let the person know who i am overtaking, that i am overtaking him, by flashing my headlight behind him. And other when i dont have adequate road width ( or safe road width ), available, because the oncoming vehicle is overtaking another vehicle or too much on the wrong side ( mainly on a two way highway), to warn him that i dont have adequate space, and he should move back into his lane.

+1 for me !!

Meeee tooo

THe google result you recieved is how the headlight flash is used abroad. For example, when a truck on the freeway in an adjacent lane wants to change lanes and has his indicator on, you can flash your headlight to indicate to him that he is clear to come into your lane and you do not wish to accelerate.

Most of the time the truckers even return with a 'thank you' flash from their hazard warning lights when done.

Another instance, when flashing the headlights is useful is when approaching 4 way junctions. Although there are a set of rules as to who gets right of way, in some instances, depending upon the timing of the approach of the vehicles to the junction, there may be some ambiguity. In this instance, any of the drivers who wants to give right of way to the other simply flashes their head lights to communicate to the other driver that they may proceed.

It is very interesting how this symbol has the opposite meaning in the west and in India. My interpretation of it is the mindset of people on the road. Abroad, everyone is worried about liability and negligence suits and there is a general sense of camaraderie or respect on the road. In India, on the other hand, it is a rat race where everyone wants to get to their destination as fast as possible and anyone who gets in their way be damned. Me-first, see a gap - take it, all are attitudes of Indian drivers\riders that we need to grow out of considering the volumes of vehicles we have on the road.

i basically use the pass light function to let the other rider know i am going to overtake him.
i also flash it at people who try to cross the highway amidst heavy and fast traffic..to let them know that..they better stay where they are until the coast is clear..!

P.S. i also use the horn almost every time i use the pass light function..!

Neat explanation, thank you

So true. Of course we know the reason beign the over population we have and higher occupancy rate of the roads.

Coming to the topic:
In India, Using flash light is used to signal the vehicles coming in opposite direction and vehicles ahead that you wish to overtake.

as mentioned above.abroad flashing of lights means your giving the other vehicle way.here its used for overtaking or telling the oncoming vehicle you want to pass.

same as jd66
+1 grease monk.

i also use it to warn oncoming vehicles if their head lights are on high beam and if they're blinding me,i flash the light and some polite people on two-wheeler and some times 4 wheeler switch to low beam,some times even truck drivers flash their lights ..but these bus drivers never bother to do that,they are the most reckless drivers on the road.

Some People doesn't know what is Pass light means. If one flashes they flash back has we are playing some hide & seek.

It is solely ment for awaring people that i am entering the corner or overtaking someone or you should give enough road gap to pass.

Be aware that when you want to pass somebody & when you flash them, if they flash back you try to slow down because he also wants to pass by. This had happen to me ones, i did not have enough width to pass through, a car was trying to overtake an auto, when i flashed him he flashed back & didn't gave me any gap to go buy. I really had to avoid him by braking hard.

^what you're saying is right,but we got no means to warn oncoming vehicles if thier lights are blinding us,do we?
it works in both the ways

+1...

80% time it does not work in city at least...Show the mid finger....it works always

The Pass light is used for 3 reason

1.To let the person ahead you know that you wish to overtake.
2.To request the person from oncoming traffic to get back in his lane if he is overtaking anyone.
3.To request the oncoming traffic to switch to low beam if he is blinding you