Ironically you can pretty much only get caught by the irregular ones if you’re on a quiet road too - otherwise someone will flash you as you approach to let you know. At least in some places anyway.
I sometimes flash people on roads where there are no speed traps. This way I achieve two things: defeating the usefulness of flashing people as a warning and also possibly making people drive slower than they would.
They are making people slow down to the legal limit, thus resulting in a net increase of lawfullness on the road.
Also, around here, it's incredibly common to flash your lights to remind oncoming traffic to turn off their high-beams. It's a form of communication, and not all communication is distraction.
I disagree, it doesn't result at all in a "net increase" of lawfulness, it's just an extra person breaking the law and driving badly.
UK highway code is pretty clear on when it is acceptable or not to flash your headlights. Using them to alert others to your presence (ie, "I'm here please turn off your high beams") is fine. Doing it like the parent poster suggested could result in a £1000 fine if caught.
Check the laws in your local area first. Intentionally dazzling other drivers may be illegal and can carry a much higher fine (sometimes 10x more) than speeding, depending on country.
In the UK you should only flash your high beams to alert other drivers to your presence.
Using them as you describe could lead to a £1000 fine. I understand that people using them to warn drivers is also illegal, but two wrongs won't make this right. Why put yourself at risk for no benefit?
Honestly you should reconsider. There's enough bad driving on the roads without you adding to it.
