Pensioner banned in UK for warning others about speed trap

[wkid_one]

I wonder what impact this would have in NZ given the penchant for flashing your lights to warn others? OAP banned for speedtrap warning

Magistrates have banned a 71-year-old from driving after he stood by the side of the road warning drivers of a speed trap. Pensioner Stuart Harding was on the A325 near Farnborough holding a sign reading "Speed Trap - 300 yards ahead". He had previously warned drivers to slow down due to the numbers attending a local car boot fair. Sgt Sarah Cashman confiscated his sign and cautioned him. Harding pleaded not guilty, but Magistrates convicted him of 'wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty'. After his conviction the reitred instrument maker said he would appeal, and the clerk of the court pointed out to magistrates that unless the ban was suspended it would run its course before the appeal was heard. But magistrates made his ban effective immediately and ordered him to pay £364 in costs. "I have been convicted of breaking the law because I was trying to stop others from doing so. It is totally unjust," said Harding. "It seems to be more about raising revenue than road safety. I'm just so angry about the driving ban. It was totally uncalled for because this wasn't a motoring offence."

[Magua]

That's pathetic, they should pay him for performing a service.
On another note your avatar just gets better and better .

[Skyryder]

I struck a simular situation a few years back when I was pulled over and given a warning for flicking my lights to warn other drivers of radar.

As I pointed out to the traffic officer (this was in the days of MOT) that an offence had to have been committed before I could obstruct an officer in the execution of his duty.

Not too sure if this is correct but it worked at the time.

Does anyone know if the flashing of lights is an offence or not.

Skyryder

[WINJA]

THAT CUNT PIG SHOULD HAVE THERE HEAD KICKED IN AND SO SHOULD THE JUDGE

[ZorsT]

I struck a simular situation a few years back when I was pulled over and given a warning for flicking my lights to warn other drivers of radar.

As I pointed out to the traffic officer (this was in the days of MOT) that an offence had to have been committed before I could obstruct an officer in the execution of his duty.

Not too sure if this is correct but it worked at the time.

Does anyone know if the flashing of lights is an offence or not.

Skyryder

I have never heard of anyone actually getting a ticket for it, but many have been pulled over for it, and our friends in blue usually don't react nicely...

[myvice]

Well, speed cameras are there to stop us speeding, so if your warning others to slow down you are also stopping them speeding.
Your a legend! and need to be awarded a medal for services to the public!
How many lives have you saved?
You are better than speed cameras as thay make everyone slam on there brakes in the same 50mts. Where you let them slow down gradually.
Three chears for Skyryder!

[Jackrat]

I struck a simular situation a few years back when I was pulled over and given a warning for flicking my lights to warn other drivers of radar.

As I pointed out to the traffic officer (this was in the days of MOT) that an offence had to have been committed before I could obstruct an officer in the execution of his duty.

Not too sure if this is correct but it worked at the time.

Does anyone know if the flashing of lights is an offence or not.

Skyryder

Flashing lights are simply are warning of a hazard ahead,nothing else.
It's recognised as such by everybody out there.
They may think a cop's up ahead, so they slow down an avoid running full noise into the accident site,horse riders,stock on the road ect ect that you were really warning them about.
I flash other drivers/riders on a regular basis,it seldom has anything to do with speed cameras or cops.

[Ixion]

Flashing lights are simply are warning of a hazard ahead,nothing else.
It's recognised as such by everybody out there.
They may think a cop's up ahead, so they slow down an avoid running full noise into the accident site,horse riders,stock on the road ect ect that you were really warning them about.
I flash other drivers/riders on a regular basis,it seldom has anything to do with speed cameras or cops.

I agree. I flash my lights to warn of hazards (including, but not limited to, radar traps).

Unless you were silly enough to admit it , be almost impossible to prove WHY you were flashing. And for any "obstruction" type charge to stick, they would have to show that at least one driver who saw your light flash WAS speeding, and slowed down solely as a result of your flash.

Actaully, I also flash if I see someone going at a rate that seems noteably excessive for the road or conditions , even when there is no plod. Usually only in bad weather, road works, shit on road, flooding etc. Don't try to second guess others on good road, good conditions. Don't care if they take any notice or not, just trying to send a " Take care mate, you may be going a bit fast given what it's like up ahead".

There was a court case in the UK in the 60's that defined this. Judges said that flashing your headlight had the same significance as sounding your horn. A warning of your presence of of some hazard.

The cited case was different. He actually had a sign saying speed trap. Which was a bit silly.

I've actually flashed cop cars (unintentionally) to warn them of a trap ! Never been pulled over for it.

[What?]

Many years ago, when cop radars were slightly larger than their cars, a cop I know rather well was working with a radar at the bottom of the hill on the Thames road in Paeroa, just before the main street intersection. Person unknown, during the morning, had put a sign on the other side of the hill warning of the radar ahead. The cop was made aware of this by another person, so when he went home for lunch he looked out for the sign. Found the sign blown over in the breeze, so he stopped and propped it up again, then carried on home for lunch...

[scumdog]

I am considering fitting an indicator flasher unit to my headlight so that it flashes continuously as I ride down the road, - purely in the interests of road safety you understand

[eliot-ness]

In the 1920s a law was passed in the UK banning the AA from using their 'salute' to warn motorists of police presence. The AA countered this by only 'saluting' when the area was clear..When radar was first used in the 60s official warning signs were always put up, (and usually left in place to keep speeds down) In the 1980s NZ police tried to have headlamp flashing banned by law but failed. History keeps repeating itself

[Lou Girardin]

I got flashed by a cop car on 16 once. Definitely confusing for a while, until a couple of k's later when I came across the aftermath of a binned bike.
I've only had one cop stop me for flashing headlights, but when I said we're doing the same job ( slowing down speeders) he didn't have an answer.

[Coldkiwi]

i don't mind cops flashing their lights at me.. it normally means ' you look like you're riding like a twit - slow down so I don't have to pull you over and do the paper work!'

As for the reported busting of a guy on the road side.. whats with suspending his licence?? thats madness. a fine perhaps (not that I think he's guilty) but the drivers licence?? bizarre

[Lou Girardin]

I am considering fitting an indicator flasher unit to my headlight so that it flashes continuously as I ride down the road, - purely in the interests of road safety you understand

Will you give yourself a ticket?

[Wolf]

I've been flashed by cops in the past - often when doing the speed limit so I've proceeded with caution, assuming a hazard. Not always seen one. Also flashed cops inadvertently to warn of speed camera's/radars. Routinely flash my lights at people to warn of hazards - including speed traps.