Fact or fiction: Is flashing headlights illegal?

For many years, most drivers will flash their lights at oncoming traffic to warn them of a police officer awaiting down the road. It is considered commoncourtesy,but folklore claims it is an illegal practice.

Is it illegal to flash oncoming driversinOklahoma?The short and sweet answer is no.

The only laws on the Oklahoma books about flashing lights are for emergency vehicles. State law prohibits flashing lights on any vehicle except for police, fire and other state-approved emergency vehicles. This is referring to light bars and lights that continually flash, not a few quick flicks of the headlight switch.

The other Oklahoma laws that refer to headlights are when they are to be used. They are required to be used at night, during inclement weather and any time visibility is low. Some say it is against the highwaycode.Othersclaimit is protected under free speech Under the First Amendment in the US Constitution.

While it’s not illegal, some people have been pulled over and ticketed for the offense. Most tickets have been dismissed since it isn’t illegal. If the driver didn’t actually break any laws during the traffic stop, the courts typically dismiss the ticket.

Just keep in mind that it may be aggravating to be pulled over for flashing one’s headlights, keep calm and don’t escalate the situation.