Texas Drivers: Flashing Your Brights Isn’t Illegal, But This Could Get You Pulled Over

Imagine this: whether it’s day or night, you’re driving down the road when an approaching driver suddenly flicks their high beams at you. It’s a signal, a warning—but what exactly are they trying to tell you?

In many cases, when a driver flashes their high beams, they’re not just being nice. They’re giving you a heads-up that law enforcement is stationed ahead, radar gun in hand, ready to catch speeding drivers. Other times, people flash their brights to let you know you forgot and left your brights on. There are laws regarding the use of bright lights while driving but related to warning oncoming drivers of a speed trap, the question remains.

Is flashing your lights in Texas permissible to alert passing cars to an impending speed trap? Is it possible to interpret this as obstructing the course of justice?

It turns out that this is prohibited in a few states and counties in the United States, something I was unaware of. In the Lone Star State, the law doesn't specifically say that flashing lights to warn of police is illegal. According to the Texas Transportation Code, there are rules about when you can and can't use your high beams. But, there's no clear rule about flashing lights to warn about police.

But:

A federal court in St. Louis ruled that drivers are allowed to flash their lights to warn other motorists of nearby police and speed traps. The court ruled that it’s a first amendment right.

I understand that you have the "First Amendment Right" to flash your lights to alert people to impending speed traps. It makes me wonder whether there are any other kind of signals that I could use to extend my freedom of expression to, say, when I'm driving. Tell someone to stop driving immediately because they are a moron.

I have to find a Mini Mart emergency stop and then get to the restroom, so maybe there's a particular signal to warn people to be on the lookout.

Drive safely, be careful and if you have to flash your lights. You better mean it.