When is it a good idea to flash your brake light?

Flashing your brake light is a good way to communicate with drivers behind you, particularly when you need to slow down suddenly. This action serves as an alert to those following, giving them a visual cue that you are reducing speed. By doing so, you increase the likelihood that they will take appropriate action to maintain a safe distance, thereby helping to prevent rear-end collisions.

Using the brake light effectively extends beyond just this situation; it can also play a crucial role during other scenarios, such as slowing down unexpectedly while navigating traffic or responding to unforeseen obstacles. In contrast, the other options either do not provide the same level of urgency or involve situations where such signaling is unnecessary or less effective.