Is It Legal to Flash Your Lights at Other Drivers in Louisiana?

LOUISIANA - We've all seen it happen on roads in Louisiana, and most of us have actually done it.

You're driving along, you pass another vehicle, and the driver quickly flashes their headlights at you. For most of Louisiana drivers, that little flash has an understood meaning...slow down, there's a police officer ahead.

But is that actually legal?

It's a question that comes up all the time, especially when drivers are trying to figure out whether warning another motorist about a speed trap could get them into trouble.

The answer isn't quite as simple as the old "it's perfectly legal" or "you'll get a ticket" answers you may hear.

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What Does Louisiana Law Say About Flashing Headlights?

Louisiana's traffic laws do address flashing lights on vehicles, but there isn't a straightforward law that specifically says, "You may not flash your headlights to warn someone about a police officer".

Instead, the state's vehicle lighting statute places restrictions on when flashing lights can be used.

Louisiana Revised Statute 32:327 says flashing lights are prohibited except in certain circumstances, including authorized emergency vehicles, school buses, turn signals and when "a vehicle is indicating a traffic hazard that requires unusual care".

So, Is It Illegal To Warn Someone About Police Officer?

This is where things get about as clear as mud.

There isn't a specific Louisiana law that simply makes it illegal to tell another driver that a police officer is nearby.

However, drivers still have to follow Louisiana's traffic and equipment laws.

In other words, flashing your headlights doesn't give anyone permission to ignore a speed limit, blow through a traffic control device or disobey an officer.

Why Do Drivers Flash Their Lights?

Flashing headlights has been a kind of unofficial driver-to-driver communication.

Depending on where you are, a quick flash might mean:

There's a police officer ahead
Slow down
There's an accident or obstruction
Your headlights are off
Your high beams are on
There's something else you should watch out for

It's basically the automotive version of tapping someone on the shoulder and saying, "Hey, watch out".

Could Flashing Your Lights Cause A Problem?

If you're simply giving another driver a quick headlight flash, that's very different from driving around with unauthorized emergency-style flashing equipment.

Louisiana law specifically restricts certain flashing lights and places additional restrictions on emergency-style lighting.

What Should Louisiana Drivers Do?

If another driver flashes their lights, treat it as a possible warning that something is happening ahead. Maybe it's a police officer. Maybe there's an accident. Maybe there's debris in the roadway.

Either way, slowing down and paying closer attention is never a bad idea.

While Louisiana law regulates flashing lights on vehicles, the laws don't appear to contain a simple rule saying that a driver breaks the law by warning another motorist that a police officer is ahead.

So if someone gives you that quick flash while you're cruising down a Louisiana highway, take the hint, check your speed and keep your eyes on the road.

You read more about these laws over legis.la.gov.

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Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott

Source: Can You Legally Flash Your Headlights to Warn About Police in Louisiana?

Filed Under: Police, driving