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Oakey
Original Poster
13,754 posts
85 months
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So our local police force is 'cracking down' on drivers who warn other drivers of approaching speed traps. Apparently last week twenty motorists were fined for 'misuse of headlights'. Is that even an offence? http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/wa...This will do wonders for police / public relations no doubt.
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daz3210
5,000 posts
109 months
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Errrrrrr............
I would love to see the argument in court as to why I flashed my headlights. Flashing of headlights in the Highway Code I believe is used as a warning to other drivers of MY presence.
How can a Police officer detail why I did something, are they trained in the process of mind reading now?
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ohtari
393 posts
13 months
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I prefer a friendly wave, most people around here get the message 
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NinjaPower
2,324 posts
49 months
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This argument has been done to death, and the Police always seem to get the courts to 'see it from their point of view'.
If I inform someone of a speed trap ahead, and they stop comitting a crime as a result, I'm as guilty as sin for one offence or another.
If I inform someone that they should stop stabbing someone before it becomes murder because the police are on their way then apparently that's fine.
Flashing lights is an offence but winding down the window in traffic and telling someone there is a speed trap ahead isn't? Phoning someone to tell them?
Putting the locations of traps on facebook for your friends is ok?
Where do you draw the line?
None of it makes sense.
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ashleyqprw12
141 posts
16 months
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Remember reading an article of a guy on here who got 3pts for the offence? Flashed an unmarked car, i understand it's because
"you flashed them because you wanted them to slow down, so they don't get fined" i remember reading that from a police officer in the article, surely they are trying to get them to slow down aswell? Just more money making ideas i believe.
What cars if any would you warn? Would you only warn drivers appearing to be fast? modified cars? As opposed to ignoring Mondeos, Corsas etc?
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daz3210
5,000 posts
109 months
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When I'm in the Lotus, it is customary to flash another Lotus if one passes in the other direction.
Is that similarly an offence?
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NinjaPower
2,324 posts
49 months
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daz3210 said: When I'm in the Lotus, it is customary to flash another Lotus if one passes in the other direction.
Is that similarly an offence? Exactly, That's my point above. Just what exactly is and isn't an offence? Allegedly 'flashing lights' is. But what about: Posting the location on Facebook? Texting or phoning someone to tell them there is a trap ahead? Winding down the window and telling another driver in traffic? Warning people over the cb radio in the case of truck drivers? Putting a sign up in your garden warning drivers of the trap ahead? My local paper publishes the locations of the 'traps of the day' each morning... If my passenger read this information to me as I headed towards a trap, is this an offence by the newspaper?
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speedyguy
1,469 posts
72 months
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daz3210 said: When I'm in the Lotus, it is customary to flash another Lotus if one passes in the other direction.
Is that similarly an offence? No just sad 
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rewc
1,603 posts
102 months
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"PC Antony Gray, of the road policing unit, said: “People who flash their headlights at other cars to warn them there are police officers nearby may think they are doing someone a favour but potentially they are putting lives at risk".
Why do police Officers who are quoted in these type of articles sound like a spoilt prig?
As for Carol Bracegirdle, of Blackpool Council’s Road Safety team, she appears to be equally full of self importance.
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Lemans Party
299 posts
24 months
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What if a speeding driver continued through the speedtrap and ran over a child? Surely warning them to slow down would have been the better option in that case?
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EU_Foreigner
2,319 posts
95 months
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So the new flashing has to become using the car horn with hand signals then 
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Pooky67
428 posts
28 months
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It's ridiculous. I remember reading an article that deemed flashed warnings as perverting the course of justice!
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Jasandjules
45,462 posts
98 months
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rewc said: "PC Antony Gray, of the road policing unit, said: “People who flash their headlights at other cars to warn them there are police officers nearby may think they are doing someone a favour but potentially they are putting lives at risk". Surely speeding is putting lives at risk therefore flashing people so they slow down is saving lives.......
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Zod
23,367 posts
127 months
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LocoCoco
598 posts
45 months
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Can I report other road users for flashing/waving at me to slow down when there's no police/scameras around?
The other week when I had a hole in my exhaust I could have got loads of people booked for warning me to slow down. Criminals the lot of 'em.
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R0G
3,247 posts
24 months
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Perverting the course of justice
Eh up - stop trying all those car doors cos a cop is about to come around the corner !!
That leaves the scroat to carry on when the cop has gone
hmmm.....
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Mintyhit
108 posts
26 months
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My new car is a Japanese import. I frequently flash my lights when I want to wash my windscreen and vice-verse, am I still guilty officer?
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R0G
3,247 posts
24 months
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Mintyhit said: My new car is a Japanese import. I frequently flash my lights when I want to wash my windscreen and vice-verse, am I still guilty officer? Yes - you should be sitting the other way around !!
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Finlandia
4,384 posts
100 months
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R0G said: Perverting the course of justice
Eh up - stop trying all those car doors cos a cop is about to come around the corner !!
That leaves the scroat to carry on when the cop has gone
hmmm..... ...and no one ever speeds again after having been fined? Besides, it's about safety, so it must be a good thing to slow down others, or...
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StottyZr
4,102 posts
32 months
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I've noticed around my area nobody flashes to warn me of scameras anymore. It used to be very common on the A638 but now nobody flashes. Although can I ask, would it be illegal to drop your window and wave frantically? Or is this, "perverting the course of justice  "
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