Using Spotlights

[tidiliwomp]

So i used the forum search using the criteria "spotlight" and found nothing about this particular question.

What is the opinion on using spotlights on opposing traffic at night?

Example:
I am driving south on a six lane surface street with a speed limit of 40mph. The driver of a police cruiser heading north in the left lane shines his spotlight directly in my face as we pass each other.

Is this a commonly used technique?
Is this not considered dangerous?
What is the reason for doing this?

BTW this is in Southern California

[Curt581]

Why do you assume he was spotlighting YOU?

How do you know he wasn't trying to light up something behind you, or more likely, in front of HIM... but you happened to get in the way, or caught some of the side glare?

A spotlight is a wide area device. It's not a pin-point laser beam. When you spotlight something, you also illuminate lots of things around it, sometimes things you didn't really intend to.

Why are people convinced that it's "all about them", when it's far more likely the officer was paying them no attention at all?

Someone driving down the street sees a cop car behind them. They automatically ask "Why is that cop following me?", when the reality is far more likely that the cop is simply going from Point A to Point B, and you just happened to be in front of him.

A person pulls in the fast-food drive-thru. A squad car pulls in behind them. The driver thinks "Jinkies! The cops!", when in reality, all the cop wanted was a cheeseburger.

[Legoate]

Is this a commonly used technique?

Not at my agency.

Is this not considered dangerous?

No.

What is the reason for doing this?

How would we know what the officer was doing? Maybe your vehicle matched the description of a crime vehicle and he wanted to see if the driver matched also before pulling you over. Maybe he was signaling you to quit doing something dumb. Maybe he was looking at something else and you drove through the beam. Who knows.

Answers embedded.

[mcsap]

If he was trying to blind , then no , it is not an accepted practice. If he was " sweeping " across intending to illiuminate something else or perhap just looking for a particular color of car than he was no different than an approaching car on a curve who does the same thing with their headlights.

[tidiliwomp]

I am positive that this was directed at me. This happens to me and other people I know regularly. In addition this isn't him sweeping the side of the road and me driving through the beam this is a quick blast, just on/off as we are probably about 5 to 10 yds apart.

[Safety Steve]

I am positive that this was directed at me. This happens to me and other people I know regularly. In addition this isn't him sweeping the side of the road and me driving through the beam this is a quick blast, just on/off as we are probably about 5 to 10 yds apart.

It's because were watching you! We know what your up to!



Be Safe.

[JR180]

Maybe you were speeding and that is the officers way of letting you know that he sees you but would prefer if you slow down instead of making him stop you. Maybe he just likes messing with you and your friends as well...

[hutchins]

Could be one of a million things. Maybe your brights were on, maybe your lights were off. Culd have been anything.

[mcsap]

I have " spotted " people to give them a proverbial smack up side the head for doing something wrong.