Don't Flash Your Lights !

[Parrotman]

Received the following email and trust it's content:

Subject: Gang initiation / shootings.

Hi all,had briefing from Metropolitan Police this morning,as follows;

The 'street gangs' in London (particularly South London at present, but it is sure to spread) have initiation tasks which new gang members have to carry out to be admitted to the 'gang'. The latest craze is to drive around, deliberately with no lights on their cars. The first person who 'flashes' them, points at them or sounds their horn at them, has to be followed by that new gang member in their car, who then has to fire a shot into that vehicle with no regard as to who is inside.

Our official instruction is that if we see a vehicle with no lights on, we are NOT to 'flash' it etc. and the advice to friends and family is that you should ignore any vehicles you see without lights. I would ask that you pass this info on to all your family, friends and colleagues and who knows, it may save a life.

PLEASE pass around, as this is actually happening to innocent people.

 

[comports]

Thanks.

If I remember correctly this has happened before. !!

I certainly won't be flashing at anyone.

 

[imadoofus]

Pinch of salt, methinks

Some London residents have become the latest to be caught out by an aging urban legend that claims drivers are in danger from gang members participating in a violent initiation ritual. The legend, which spreads via word of mouth, fax and email, warns drivers that if they see a car driving without headlights after dark, they should not signal the car's driver in any way. According to the hoax, a new gang member is driving the car operating without lights as part of an initiation ceremony. Supposedly, those who signal the driver will be followed and shot at by the "gang member" to complete the "initiation".

Police have reassured the public that no such crimes have currently been reported in London. The hoax began circulating via email and fax back in 1993 and may have originated from even earlier stories involving motorcycle gangs. It was also given new life by the 1998 film "Urban Legend" which featured the initiation ritual described.

While incidents resembling the one described in the hoax have actually occurred, they are thought to be copycat crimes inspired by the legend itself. Bogus warnings such as this one should be deleted rather than forwarded. Indeed, such messages are far from harmless. They can waste the valuable time of police staff who have to field endless enquires about such spurious claims. They can spread unnecessary fear and alarm within a community. At worst, they may encourage criminals to act out the myth in real life.

Over the years, there have been a number of versions of the hoax.

 

[robert.saunders]

I flashed my lights this morning. No shots fired however.

Although the other driver did put their headlamps on. Result.

 

[A210AMG]

Geeeee


What next?

 

[Spinal]

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/lightsout.asp

 

[ADY1983]

Anyone seen Urban Legend?...

 

[A210AMG]

Quote "I flashed my lights this morning. No shots fired however.

Although the other driver did put their headlamps on. Result."


That happends a lot near us where there is a large petrol station bright lights etc, people fill up and drive off. As its so bright they assume lights are on....

I may just check out the cars more carfully before I dab the old lights...

If its a Kia or Hyundia with Dorris and Frank driving, rug over back seat I may just chance my arm...

 

[Nibbo]

I leave my lights on the auto setting.
Does this mean I could never join one if the 'gangs'?

 

[kjay]

If it's an old lady driving alone - I might just risk it

 

[television]

I have never tried flashing

 

[ShinyF1]

Received the following email and trust it's content:

Subject: Gang initiation / shootings.

Hi all,had briefing from Metropolitan Police this morning,as follows;

The 'street gangs' in London (particularly South London at present, but it is sure to spread) have initiation tasks which new gang members have to carry out to be admitted to the 'gang'. The latest craze is to drive around, deliberately with no lights on their cars. The first person who 'flashes' them, points at them or sounds their horn at them, has to be followed by that new gang member in their car, who then has to fire a shot into that vehicle with no regard as to who is inside.

Our official instruction is that if we see a vehicle with no lights on, we are NOT to 'flash' it etc. and the advice to friends and family is that you should ignore any vehicles you see without lights. I would ask that you pass this info on to all your family, friends and colleagues and who knows, it may save a life.

PLEASE pass around, as this is actually happening to innocent people.

We still have shootings reported in these here [SW London] parts when they happen, but none of this kind that I've noticed, which suggests it's NOT actually happening to anyone.

Will check with our local officer and feed back to the forum....

 

[television]

If it's an old lady driving alone - I might just risk it

How could you do this to an old lady

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Hear about the woman and the Lobster?

 

[BTB 500]

I leave my lights on the auto setting.

So do I, but noticed the other day that you can't use the foglights without turning the knob to the manual setting ... which would mean the lights going off temporarily?!

 

[chriswt]

It seems that it's all a load of tosh:

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/lightsout.asp


Extract for a website:

Commentary:
Some London residents have become the latest to be caught out by an aging urban legend that claims drivers are in danger from gang members participating in a violent initiation ritual. The legend, which spreads via word of mouth, fax and email, warns drivers that if they see a car driving without headlights after dark, they should not signal the car's driver in any way. According to the hoax, a new gang member is driving the car operating without lights as part of an initiation ceremony. Supposedly, those who signal the driver will be followed and shot at by the "gang member" to complete the "initiation".

Police have reassured the public that no such crimes have currently been reported in London. The hoax began circulating via email and fax back in 1993 and may have originated from even earlier stories involving motorcycle gangs. It was also given new life by the 1998 film "Urban Legend" which featured the initiation ritual described.

While incidents resembling the one described in the hoax have actually occurred, they are thought to be copycat crimes inspired by the legend itself. Bogus warnings such as this one should be deleted rather than forwarded. Indeed, such messages are far from harmless. They can waste the valuable time of police staff who have to field endless enquires about such spurious claims. They can spread unnecessary fear and alarm within a community. At worst, they may encourage criminals to act out the myth in real life.

Over the years, there have been a number of versions of the hoax.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/lightsout.asp

 

[KillerHERTZ]

bah, too slow

 

[television]

So do I, but noticed the other day that you can't use the foglights without turning the knob to the manual setting ... which would mean the lights going off temporarily?!

I would not fiddle with your knob while flashing, it just makes things worse

 

[crockers]

I leave my lights on the auto setting.
Does this mean I could never join one if the 'gangs'?

Me too ---- so can I be in your gang????:bannana: