Flashing your lights to let others know...

[myke]

HI
so I think this is best here because it's not really breaking news so it's good to go here & can be quite a good discussion, saw it on the car forum I use...

A driver prosecuted for flashing his headlights to warn motorists of a mobile police speed gun has defended his actions as his "civic duty".

Michael Thompson, 64, was pulled over by officers in Grimsby in July after warning several oncoming cars.

He was fined £175 and ordered to pay £250 costs after being found guilty of wilfully obstructing a police officer in the course of her duties.

Thompson said: "I flashed motorists to warn them of a hazard."

Thompson, of Augustine Avenue, Grimsby, was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge at the hearing at Grimsby Magistrates' Court.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-12115179

Do you do it? Should you do it?

I think it's pretty stupid that he got such a heavy fine for it because he's not really doing any damage... but then again people shouldn't be speeding ...

Discuss!

[Mathew]

This just makes the government seem money hungry really (oh what a surprise ). The poor chap was arguably helping the police out; he still got the other motorists to slow down for goodness sake!

[Hecktix]

I do it I agree that it's a civic duty, it's no good people getting fined for speeding. Speed cameras and police in areas like that are a waste of time and they are just literally there to make some money.

Stick average speed cameras on dangerous roads and your problem is solved. S

[-:Undertaker:-]

Well it only confirms to us what some of us knew for a long time, that speed cameras have nothing to do with making the roads safer. There's even an appeal fund for these type of cases; http://www.ukip.org/content/latest-n...drivers-appeal - it is time for motorists and the general public in general to stop being pushed around like this. It is not just the erosion of civil liberties, its being ripped off at the same time.

I once spotted (it must have been 25 policemen and women) all standing around a police van with the camera in the back, not to mention when we have police pulling innocent people over on the roads for no apparent reason (other than wanting to catch them and fine them on something petty).

[Inseriousity.]

Driven by targets or money? Possibly both, easy target are always the generally law-abiding motorists etc than the actual criminals.

My dad saw this and said 'I do that all the time.' I think it's just the norm.

[Moh]

All the speed cameras etc.. are all in places where it's safe to speed, but all those places where it isn't safe to speed, there aren't any speed cameras.

There's a regular police van with a gun at a 40 speed limit.. a few metres before a 70 limit. So if you put your foot down before the limit then they fine you. Happened to my mums boyfriend, it's stupid. Same with a place that has recently changed speed limit from 40 to 30.

They place them in places just to get money, which to me isn't protecting people, it's stealing.

[Oleh]

Thats just being greedy now.. nearly £400 for warning people of a useless bit of scenery...

The money gone into these mobile traffic nuisances could go into say... putting money into car manufacturers to add electronic limiters which in turn when the government add electronic transmitters to an area, it will decrease speed to said mileage... SIMPLE ENOUGH!

[Technologic]

You should only flash your lights to warn other of your presence thus the man was wrong to flash his lights and the full force of the law should be brought against him.

[Alkaz]

Things like this really annoy me. 9 times out of 10 it's dangerous driving that causes accidents and not speed. The police officers time would've been best spent patrolling the motorway instead of sitting behind bushes and trees to make a few pound.

[GommeInc]

There isn't a law against it, and he's doing exactly what a speed camera, sign or officer does and that is slow cars down or alert them that there is or that they are a hazard. He was being helpful, if someone is flashing you, you tend to become more alert of your surroundings. IF there was a law that you should only alert others of your presence, then that law would mean:

1) You won't be able to alert to a hazard such as an accident
2) Thank someone - it's NOT alerting someone to your presence, but a gesture of thanks (see Highway Code)

Hazard lights do as much as flashing lights, and they're usually there to signal the person behind, not the person infront.

Such a pointless waste of time and money on the officer, the individual and the courts.