Got flashed? Don’t blow a fuse

The first time the driver behind me flashed his lights, I thought he'd hit a bump in the road that made his lights jump in my rearview mirror. So I ignored it. The second time, I thought, what, I'm not going fast enough for you? But that didn't seem right -- he wasn't tailgating, and I was in the right-hand lane.

"Is the trunk open?" I asked my passenger as we exited. "Or maybe my taillights are out." I often see people driving without taillights. Sometimes I flash my lights at them.

After we parked, my friend hopped out to check the taillights. "Nothing," he called from the back of the car. "No lights."

Easy fix. I replaced the necessary fuse and drove to work the next day. That night, on the way home, it started again. Flash, flash. Of course, it was raining, making the lack of taillights even more dangerous. Flash, flash. I signaled and took the next exit. Same fuse, blown. I replaced it and got back on the road.

Thank you to those drivers who care enough to warn others of potential dangers. And please, if someone flashes their lights at you, don't take it the wrong way. Pull over and check things out.

Nancy Christenson
nchristenson@starbulletin.com