Flash Your Lights at a Traffic Light in Texas? This Trick Works

Last night on Buffalo Gap Road, my wife and I were heading home from dinner when I decided to test something I’d heard years ago from a friend at the Texas Department of Transportation. As we approached a couple of major intersections after 10 p.m., traffic was nonexistent. I quickly flashed my bright lights twice at the first red light, and wouldn’t you know it, the light turned green just as I reached it. My wife raised an eyebrow and said, “Interesting.”

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We hit another red light down the road, I tried it again… and it worked, again. That’s when my wife asked the big question: “Is that even legal?”

Texas Law Enforcement Weighs In

I called Sergeant Mark Couch of the Texas Department of Public Safety to find out. His response?

“It’s a great little trick. It’s not against the law so long as you’re not flashing your bright lights into somebody’s rearview mirror or directly at another driver in front of you or oncoming traffic. You’re not really manipulating the light, you’re letting the light know that you’re there.”
Source: Sgt. Couch Tx DPS

That settles it, in certain situations, flashing your lights is perfectly fine, and it might even get you moving a little faster late at night.

Read More: Upcoming Texas Legislation On Prayer And Tax Exemptions Explained

How Traffic Lights Really Detect You

Those “cameras” you see above intersections aren’t always just for catching speeders or red-light runners. In many cities, there are traffic sensors that help manage light timing based on the flow of vehicles. Here’s how the systems work:

• Induction loops: Buried in the road, these wire loops sense the metal mass of your vehicle when you’re in the right spot.
• Infrared or heat sensors: Some newer intersections detect the warmth of your engine, especially useful for motorcycles and smaller vehicles.
• Video-based sensors: These camera-like devices track traffic flow and can adjust signals accordingly.

Safety and Common Sense Come First

Before you try this yourself:

• Don’t blind other drivers; only flash your bright lights when the road ahead is empty.
• Stay in the detection zone so the sensors can “see” you.
• Report faulty lights if a signal never changes.

The Bottom Line

Thanks to Sgt. Couch, we know this trick isn’t against the law if done responsibly. Whether it works every time is another story, but it’s one more little piece of Texas driving know-how for your back pocket. Remember to drive Texas-friendly.

So the next time you’re sitting alone at a red light in the Big Country, you might just be tempted to give it a quick flash. Check out the "Traffic Rules Everyone Forgets" in the video below.