Flashing headlights to warn of speed trap
 

Is it illegal?

My buddy was given a warning for that, and a speeding ticket.

If you warn others of a radar trap it causes them to slow down, which is the point of the speed trap is it not?

It seems like crap that you can a possible citation for this.

I'd have fun fighting that ticket.

Definitely illegal in the UK, perverting the course of Justice

And that, right there, is the difference between citizens and subjects.

Found to be no illegal in Ontario but I am sure if they wanted to they could find some obstruction of justice law for it.

In the end they don't like it because it prevents revenue generation.

***** cops, ,this is the one thing that really pisses me off!! The armed revenue collectors push that BS that they are trying to enforce safety when in fact they are just trying to hit their quota.. Wonder how the gestapo hitler youth sleeps at night ?
Rant over,, I always flash my lights..

Best one over here was an old guy who stuck his 2 fingers up as he went through a camera site. Got done for not being in proper control of a vehicle as well as speeding.

Well, you have to be caught flashing first. If you've passed the trap, you just about have to flash an oncoming cop to get busted. Now, what would they do? Probably make a u-turn and pull you over. They'll find something to detain you enough to make it a hassle.

So, don't flash the cop. :)

I used to flash when in more rural areas. In the city/ghetto, no one knows what you're doing. It's pointless around here.

On what basis is it illegal? Interfering with a law officer? I think it is total crap, but how is it illegal?

For the record, I ALWAYS flash. I tend to always be around 10% over the limit, so I appreciate it when someone does it for me.

And, how the heck could they:

A. Prove I did flash (unless they have video)
B. Prove the reason I flashed. (even if the have video)

They use safety as justification, but they are really glorified revenue collectors.....

It is illegal here in Va, but we do it anyway. I also run a V1 which is also illegal here. They get enough of my money they are gonna have to work very hard to get any more.

Along with just about anything else you say/do, there are several laws against this in Calif:

Upper and Lower Beam
24407. Multiple-beam road lighting equipment shall be designed and aimed as follows:

(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead for all conditions of loading.

(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead. On a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.

Flashing Lights
25250. Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as otherwise permitted.



Permitted Flashing Lights
25251. (a) Flashing lights are permitted on vehicles as follows:

(1) To indicate an intention to turn or move to the right or left upon a roadway, turn signal lamps and turn signal exterior pilot indicator lamps and side lamps permitted under Section 25106 may be flashed on the side of a vehicle toward which the turn or movement is to be made.

(2) When disabled or parked off the roadway but within 10 feet of the roadway, or when approaching, stopped at, or departing from, a railroad grade crossing, turn signal lamps may be flashed as warning lights if the front turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously.

(3) To warn other motorists of accidents or hazards on a roadway, turn signal lamps may be flashed as warning lights while the vehicle is approaching, overtaking, or passing the accident or hazard on the roadway if the front turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously.

(4) For use on authorized emergency vehicles.

(5) To warn other motorists of a funeral procession, turn signal lamps may be flashed as warning lights on all vehicles actually engaged in a funeral procession, if the front turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously.

(b) Turn signal lamps shall be flashed as warning lights whenever a vehicle is disabled upon the roadway and the vehicle is equipped with a device to automatically activate the front turn signal lamps at each side to flash simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side to flash simultaneously, if the device and the turn signal lamps were not rendered inoperative by the event which caused the vehicle to be disabled.

(c) Side lamps permitted under Section 25106 and used in conjunction with turn signal lamps may be flashed with the turn signal lamps as part of the warning light system, as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a).

(d) Required or permitted lamps on a trailer or semitrailer may flash when the trailer or semitrailer has broken away from the towing vehicle and the connection between the vehicles is broken.

(e) Hazard warning lights, as permitted by paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) may be flashed in a repeating series of short and long flashes when the driver is in need of help.

24409. Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated during darkness,
the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam,
directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons
and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to
the following requirements and limitations:
(a) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming
vehicle within 500 feet, he shall use a distribution of light or
composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into
the eyes of the oncoming driver.
The lowermost distribution of light specified in this article
shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times regardless of road
contour.
(b) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle
within 300 feet to the rear, he shall use the lowermost distribution
of light specified in this article.

And in FLA, this is what you'll be cited for:

Florida Statutes, Title XXIII, chapter 316, rule 2397, subsection 7:

"Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as a means of indicating a right or left turn, to change lanes, or to indicate that the vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled upon the highway.

None of what you posted has to do with flashing your main beams other than how your mains are to be adjusted. What you posted addresses conditions in which you are allowed to use your turn signals/hazzards.

Ahh...must be a young'n raised on YouTube...

They'll prove it the same way they prove everything else without video, including speeding, illegal turns, illegal lane changes, following too closely, etc. The cop appears in court, raises his right hand and testifies as to what he witnessed.

Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. Some/all of everything I cited above is what you'll be written up for if caught flashing your headlights in CA.

No, you listed those statutes as laws against flashing your high beams. You were incorrect.

Nope, not a youngin....

And I truly believe the system is flawed. I want to see PROOF that I committed an offense, not just hear what some person says.

I want to see evidence. An officer's testimony is no different than mine.

This sounds similar to it being illegal to randomly feed expired parking meters.

I'd simply tell the judge that you spotted a car sitting in the median projecting out into traffic with its lights off and you wanted to warn fellow motorists of the danger.

Karma. I always flash. I love getting the wave in return.


One time my wife and I were heading somewhere in separate vehicles. I zoomed ahead in my Pcar and saw a speed trap. So I phoned my wife on her cell and told her about it. When we got to where we were going she told me "don't bother phoning me about speed traps, I don't speed." Ha.

Hmm...never thought of that. Thanks. I'll try that line with the judge next time I'm in court.

I tell them i was warning drivers of deer crossing the road

OK. Drive down the street in the prescence of a cop while clicking your high-beams on/off/on/off (repeat). Let us know how it goes, mm-kay?

While there may not be a specific law against it, the cop could cite you using any of the above, and, depending on the mood of the judge, it could stick.

Oh...and I'm never incorrect.

And unless that was the truth it would be Perjury - not a smart option for a 'Citizen' and one that gets you in a lot more trouble than the speeding ticket.

A high court judge in New South Wales claimed he was not driving his car at the time it was caught in a speed trap. Turned out the person he claimed was driving had died some years ago. The judge is was sentenced to 3 years jail, minimum 2 yrs non-parole.

Down here in Australia you would get done for use of High Beam against oncoming traffic.

You guys are so cute, thinking cops have to PROVE it. :(

I know, that is the funniest thing of the lot.

Maybe there is a twilight zone out there full of cops who wouldnt mind you flashing :D

Someone saved me once with a flash of their lights.

I have read a motor mag news story in the last few years of someone being convicted of warning of a speed trap with a flash of their lights. Doesn't seem right.

We need an Automobile Club that looks out for drivers' interests - unlike the AAA. There was an attempt at a coup at AAA but AFAIK it failed.

we tap our helmets. can create a false sense of security. just because somebody doesn't give the signal doesn't mean there isn't a trap two corners ahead.

I also flash and love the wave back, like 911Rob. Works both ways, I've saved a few folks and I've been saved myself. No problems with the cops yet, and don't know if it's illegal here in Colorado or not. My luck, I'll find out tomorrow.

Karl
88 Targa

I flash people when I pass the radar guys, I have had people flash me and it may have helped. I first saw this driving in Central America, in the 80s, people did it all the time and you loved them for it.

In California it is common to flash oncoming traffic as a heads up to dim their high beams at night. It is also common to flash on-comming traffic as a warning they have a road hazzard ahead of them, day or night. It is also common in the mountians to flash someone ahead of you who is in the slow lane who is wanting to make a lane change to overtake slower traffic. It's like a "By all means". I myself have even flashed CHP who have come up fast onto the highway on-ramps (without lights on but, definitely in a hurry) letting them know I see them and to allow them to change lanes in front of me.

I've never met nor heard of anyone being cited much less pulled over by any of the above actions.

Oh, I guess you are only correct after you edited your original post by adding your last paragraph of statutes. That is a classic example of pussified revisionist history. mm-kay?

Motorcyclists do this all the time by either tapping the helmet to an oncoming rider or doing the one handed downward wave (ie "slow down/go easy"). Usually helmet tap for cop and other for bad conditions but it varies. I have never heard of a motorcyclist being cited for this.

As for the high beams, if there is a speed trap one could argue that is a potentially dangerous situation. What if the cop is pulling into traffic to pull someone over? That is a hazard. Better safe than sorry.

not legally binding of course...

I was adding as I found them, pussifist. You opened your mouth prematurely. Mm-kay?

The CVC specifically permits flashing headlights from behind as a signal when attempting to overtake a vehicle. You cannot flash your lights at an on-coming vehicle. Suggest doing your homework before embarassing yourself further.

settle down danny boy.

Eh...there's always one.

Homework for what? I explained common occurances and my experiences. Tell me if I'm wrong but, if you do at least nut up and explain why. I've not stated anything as a fact except pointing out your red "flashing turn signal" herring.

I think you're just feeling a bit bent at being caught using shoddy research is all. It's all good. Must have searched for "flashing" huh? Lucky you didn't do that on Google. Just imagine what'd turn up.:D

I carried (and read) the CVC with me for 15 yrs. Know it like the back of my hand.

Didn't know that. Thanks.

Now I've notice that alot of semi trucks have a small green light on their drivers side mirror and I'm wondering if this is a signal to other drivers at night? Maybe they turn it red if there's a cop or trouble ahead? Does anyone know what that green light is? I've seen it more and more lately.