Flash Photography

[travelpass]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why it's not allowed on the tube?

I thought at first iot might have been because it would stun drivers therefore causing an incident, but then what if the train had just left, so therefore the driver would not see it. Indeed when the trains are moving to/from the platforms they themselves produce flashes of blue from the pads the current passes through.

Then I thought that it might startle other passengers, but then what if the platform was empty, and it was just you and your mates taking a pciture infront of a station sign as a momento?

I have only ever taken a picture with the flash on at stations twice. Once when I forgot the flash was on, and another time when the camera put it on after decding there wasn't enough light (even though I was at an Overground station in broad daylight).

Can anyone enlighten me?

[Nutteronabus]

I believe it's something to do with interfering with the fire detection system.

But I may be wrong about that.

[CrunchySaviour]

It's so the driver, in his blindness, doesn't lose control and steer the train off the tracks. Everyone knows that.

[tubeguru]

It is because in the tunnels, the driver builds up "night vision", and because of this, any bright flashes of light are considered dangerous when he is in control of a public passenger vehicle.

Therefore, no flashes anywhere on the system (even overground, but that's so the rule is consistent).

This is why the lighting in some stations is very weak - too much will blind a driver coming from a tunnel.

So Maskboy was right in his facetious comment, but for the wrong reasons ...

[Sillert, V.I.]

It's so the driver, in his blindness, doesn't lose control and steer the train off the tracks. Everyone knows that.

Well, someone's gotta do it, given the current state of the permanent way.

[Root]

I quote an Upminster platform guard (not verbatim, but as close to that as I can remember):

"No photos. Security reasons - like, terrorists."

An enlightening explanation.

[travelpass]

Ah, I see.

This light levels affecting drivers issue....is this why the Central line trains are always so much darker than other trains*? Are CL drivers more sensitive to the light?

*Something I have noticed anyway.

[standclearofthedoors]

They say specifically Flash Photgraphy- implying that normal photgraphy can be used. Which in the current climate is a load of bullshit. I wouldn't be suprised if it is banned entirely sooner or later, which will cause big problems for the tube challenger.

[travelpass]

I've not had any trouble taking pictures on the tube, and I've taken plenty on my travles down in London recently.

I think in November they were wathcing me closley though, as at the time I didn't know about this nonflash rule, and I had been happily going round all 12 lines taking as many flash pictures as I liked, until I got to Embankment where I heard my first "Flash Photography is not permitted on any part of the London Underground" announcemnet.