Stop Flashing Your Brights At Traffic Lights, It Doesn’t Change Anything

Drivers proceed through a four-way intersection as traffic lights sit dark August 15, 2003 in Royal Oak, Michigan.Photo: Bill Pugliano (Getty Images)

There are few things in this world that are more mildly infuriating than being stopped at a deserted intersection at a red light that just won’t change. You have already read my article about inductive loops, so know to stop with your engine over the loops to trigger the signal, but nothing’s happening. What’s left to do? As it turns out, you just gotta wait. The myth that you can flash your high beams at a traffic light to mimic an emergency vehicle and turn the light green is just that – a myth.

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The Traffic Light Doctor is a traffic signal technician on TikTok who dispels myths about traffic signals. He explains that many traffic signals have special devices called Opticom detectors that detect a specific strobe light frequency used by emergency vehicles and give the emergency vehicle a green light. These Opticom detectors are the little vertical cylinders with small tubes that protrude in the direction of oncoming traffic that are often seen perched atop a traffic light. I always thought they looked like tiny birdhouses for even tinier birds, but turns out they’re Opticom detectors. These tools have fueled the popularity of the myth that flashing your high beams at a traffic light will trigger it to change, but they’re programmed to only respond to a very specific strobe light frequency used on real emergency vehicles, not your Camry’s high beams. It’s practically impossible to actually trip the Opticom detectors simply by flashing your brights.

There is one very specific scenario where flashing your high beams may cause a traffic signal to change for you, though. If you drive a dark colored car and find yourself stuck at a poorly-lit intersection that uses video vehicle detection, flashing your high beams may be enough to trigger the light to change for you. If you’re someone who often finds themself stuck waiting at deserted intersections in the dark, it’s possible that flashing your lights could help as long as the signal uses video vehicle detection. How do you know if an intersection uses video vehicle detection? There will commonly be a camera that’s mounted in clear view on a vertical post near one of the light trees. Video vehicle detection systems are cheaper to install than induction loop systems, and they’re easier to adjust and repair.

Next time you’re stuck at an empty intersection waiting for the light to change, look around to see if you can spot a video vehicle detection camera. Flashing your brights might help in that specific scenario, but for the most part you’re just going to have to wait. Maybe take it as an opportunity to practice some meditative breathing techniques, or flash your brights anyway. Just keep calm and don’t blind any oncoming traffic, please.