Fined for speed trap warning

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London -

A driver has been convicted for flashing his headlights at oncoming motorists to warn them of a police speed trap ahead.

Michael Thompson, 64, believed he was doing his civic duty by alerting drivers on the opposite side of a dual carriageway.

When stopped by a police officer Thompson disagreed with the suggestion he was perverting the course of justice and then was allegedly told: “I was going to let you off with a caution but I’m not now.”

He denied wilfully obstructing a policeman in the execution of his duty but was convicted after a trial at Grimsby Magistrates Court.

And he ended up £440 out of pocket after being fined £175, ordered to pay £250 costs and a £15 victims surcharge.
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This has also become law in South Africa. I just wonder will they actually be able to enforce it. I still flash oncoming traffic if I know they are driving towards a roadblock or speed trap.
 
the irony - it actually caused motorists to slow down. we wouldn't want to do that, now would we?
what saps should actually do is add a daily patrol with cops in regular cars on the freeways flashing their lights.
that way oncoming traffic slows down for an indefinite amount of time in anticipation of a speed trap.
 
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I doubt whether it will hold up in a court of law in SA. I usually flash back, trying to say "Cool" in morse-code.
 
As far as I know the cops have tried this in SA and have lost it... cos they couldn't prove that the drivers being flashed were actually speeding.
 
When stopped by a police officer Thompson disagreed with the suggestion he was perverting the course of justice and then was allegedly told: “I was going to let you off with a caution but I’m not now.”
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As soon as you start disagreeing your chances of being let off decrease dramatically.
 
I flash people I know in traffic, I flash people to get out of my way, I flash people to give them way at an intersection.
How will they prove why I was flashing someone?
 
bwana said:
As soon as you start disagreeing your chances of being let off decrease dramatically.
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Agreed, cant tell you how many "warnings" i have had because i am polite with the police.
 
The irony is that the fixed speed cameras in the UK are well sign posted so that if you get caught, you have no excuse. They are painted bright yellow and have big signs letting you know they are there. I didnt even know the UK did this kind of thing, hiding a guy behind some bushes with a radar gun.

The rationale behind that is that they dont want your money, they just dont want you to speed. And I think thats a better idea than the SA system where the goal is to trick you into speeding so that they can make money off you.
 
On New Year's day, there was a roadblock on Spine Road. Motorists leaving the roadblock was pretty much doing the same thing to motorists approaching the roadblock. My concern is this; there were some overloaded vehicles and some obviously-unroadworthy vehicles who turned around. Fortunately, for them, there was an alternative route but what if they took the alternative route and caused an accident there?
 
[Quattro];5328169 said:
I flash people I know in traffic, I flash people to get out of my way, I flash people to give them way at an intersection.
How will they prove why I was flashing someone?
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I cannot tell you how annoying this is, especially when some idiot flashes me, but there is a line of cars in front of me all doing the same speed
 
This is rediculous. They are now fining you, which caused motorists to slow down, thus 'robbing' them of a potential speedster they could trap and fine. What's the point of speed camera warning signs on roads then? **** the traffic department. Speedtraps are set up in this country solely to generate revenue, it seems.
 
[Quattro];5328169 said:
I flash people I know in traffic, I flash people to get out of my way, I flash people to give them way at an intersection.
How will they prove why I was flashing someone?
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You do that, I'll give you the finger. And more.
 
VernD said:
On New Year's day, there was a roadblock on Spine Road. Motorists leaving the roadblock was pretty much doing the same thing to motorists approaching the roadblock. My concern is this; there were some overloaded vehicles and some obviously-unroadworthy vehicles who turned around. Fortunately, for them, there was an alternative route but what if they took the alternative route and caused an accident there?
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Exactly, whilst i am relieved when someone flashes their lights at me and I save money, if i get caught speeding its my fault. And I cant be angry with anyone but myself.
With regards to roadblocks, you shouldn't alert people at all, there is NO REASON for you to do it. Unless you have done something wrong, you have nothing to worry about.

I have noticed though, that lately, the cops are checking the alternate routes and u-turns for people avoiding roadblocks and pull absolutely everyone over who goes down them!
 
B.O.F.H. said:
As far as I know the cops have tried this in SA and have lost it... cos they couldn't prove that the drivers being flashed were actually speeding.
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there's also the custom of flicking hazards out of courtesy and flashing headlights in acknowledgment when somebody moves over for you.
 
Slootvreter said:
This is rediculous. They are now fining you, which caused motorists to slow down, thus 'robbing' them of a potential speedster they could trap and fine. What's the point of speed camera warning signs on roads then? **** the traffic department. Speedtraps are set up in this country solely to generate revenue, it seems.
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I could be mistaken, but I think they are only allowed to speed trap and have camera's within a certain distance of a speed sign. You therefore have all the warning you need...
 
i must admit that the static cameras on the n3 down to durbs seem to be increasing annually.
particularly between harrismith & dbn.
they certainly make me slow down - i'm not familiar enough with the route to know where they all are.

i agree with taulz on the roadblocks.
 
[Quattro];5328265 said:
Come to JHB, you wont have any fingers left.
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Explain.

EDIT: Yeah I get what you are saying, everyone flashes, but **** them. I hate that.
 
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