Warning Others About Mobile Speed Cameras...Right or Wrong?

[Bods]

It's all in the title really...there is a mobile speed camera van on my way to work quite frequently. Some drivers flash others to warn them...some don't. I'm in two minds about it. This particular van parks on a long straight stretch of road and is quite visible on the approach from both sides so it's hardly a 'trap'.

I'm personally not keen on people flashing a warning as it's a bit distracting, and generally it slows the traffic down as there's always one person in front who thinks 'crikey...there's no speed limit signs so I'd better do 30 just in case...' (it's a 60 road). Most importantly, if people are speeding then they need to face the potential consequences...

But then again, the 'supposed' point of cameras is not to collect fines but ensure speeds are lowered (ha ha ha) so drivers warning other drivers to slow down has the desired effect, at least on that bit of road!

[gary baldy]

One of the original motivations in the formation of the AA was to warn its members of speed traps.
I personally think it is only common courtesy to warn other drivers of speed traps and appreciate it when others do - if you dont think its morally right to then dont do it - i wont hold it against you!

[Gef]

I have a simple philosophy. If I get caught it is my fault. Don't see why I should warn, or get warned, by others.

[Plocket]

I personally think that people shouldn't be warned. The van is there for a reason and if people don't stick to the speed limit then they deserve to be caught. Not only that, the last time I got flashed it I thought something was wrong with my car, not that there was a speed van ahead! I wasn't speeding at the time btw!

[CheekyChops]

I was watching one of those traffic police type programs on Men& Motors the other week and a traffic cop saw someone flash his lights in warning to another motorist. The cop followed the 'flasher' and pulled him over and warned him he could be fined!

[c00ky83]

If I'm going a tad too fast, I'd rather be warned to be honest. Hence I'd give the others a quick flash...do unto others and all that! Despite that, they're not my problem so I'd be happy to let them get done!

[c00ky83]

Oh, and I think the AA pre-dates speed traps!

[Coobeastie]

Something like this has recently gone to court and the judge threw the case out on the arguement that the flasher was not obstructing the course of law anymore that the roadside speed camera signs that are in place. They are supposed to slow people down not just cash people out.

[gary baldy]

Sorry to be a smug git cooky83 but read this
http://www.theaa.com/aboutaa/history.html

[mushroom25]

the locations of mobile cameras are often read out on local radio. just as often, there will be a sign about a mile in advance of the van, if there are'nt already "mobile camera" signs out, as there are on the A5.

anyone who still gets caught after that probably isn't going to heed a flashed warning.

[c00ky83]

Well I'll be...

I take my hat off to you Gary, that's amazing!

[Gef]

Very intersting gary, I didn't know that. Just wonder what a 1905 speed trap was like though? Did the PC have a stopwatch and time the car coming along the road for a set distance?

[Grunty]

If you are questioned by the police about flashing your headlights, say that you meant either

Pull out in front of me; I take full responsibility, or

Stay where you are - my brakes have failed, or

I can see your judgement is poor, so I am telling you that you have passed me, or

My car is like yours, or

One of your lights is faulty, or

Why is that policeman following you, or

Good morning.

[Fatboy40]

Yep, definately flash other drivers to warn them.

Lets' be serious here, when do you ever see a mobile camera van outside of a school or other similar area where they should be ?. The last time I saw one, a van, it was parked behind a large sign by a dual carriageway with it's back end poked out just enough so that one of his rear windows was showing, now that's not on !.

However, by flashing to alert other drivers you are perverting the course of justice...

[DirtyHabit]

I am sure the Police would have to prove that that was your intention pervert the course of justice.
The Highway code advises you "to proceed carefully" if flashed. Could that mean slow down there is some danger around the next bend?

91: If another driver flashes his headlights never assume that it is a signal to go. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.

[ianess]

How can it be an offence to encourage others NOT to break the law?

Speed cameras can't possibly be used just to generate income for the local authority............surely not???

[diana.m]

There have been many occasions when I have been flashed but didnt know why. How does one know they are warning of speed traps and not some other reason? I am an educated woman, honest, got A levels and a Diploma!

[Bods]

That kind of comes back to my original gripe-I don't think it is worng as such to warn other drivers of speed traps but what I frustrates me is that drivers going the other way slow down, either anticipating a hazard of some kind round the corner, or panic they are going too fast and drop their speed, slowing down the traffic behind them. Problem for me is one day it will be an accident and I might well go carrying on at the speed limit and end up having to slam on the brakes. A true Peter and the Wolf situation cos the speed trap is there at least one day a week, and often more at the moment. Grrr!

[vickyclare]

I am SO glad this is being discussed right now, as I've just done possibly THE stupidest thing ever...

At 2.30am this morning (im a student and a bit of an insomniac) I was looking online for temporary christmas jobs and found one at a hotel about 8 miles from where i live. I wasn't tired so I thought hey why not I'll take a swing by and figure out where it is.

On the way, I came round a corner and was suddenly greeted by a police van and two police officers standing in the middle of the road, motioning for me to pull over. Now I've only been driving since the summer, so I was absolutley wetting myself about getting pulled over, even though I wasn't speeding, I don't speed! I was doing exactly 30 when they stopped me.

Anyway they asked me what I was doing and I explained but they didn't seem to believe me and kept quizzing me! Asking things like whats the name of the hotel, do you know how to get there, what sort of job etc etc as well as taking my name, address, occupation DOB, place of birth and phone number! They even checked that my car was registered to me. They said it was a routine check so everything was fine and off I went.

So...the bad part. I found the hotel and on the way back I passed them again and they gave me a nod. As I drove on round the corner there were two cars coming towards me and, I'm not even sure why, but I suddenly thought 'oh I should probably warn them theres police round the corner!' so i started flashing my lights at them and as I got a bit closer I realised that one of them was a police car!!!

Now I'm so nervous, did I break the law? Am I allowed to do that? I've never thought about whether it was right or wrong before...I've never had to do it before! Whats the worst that will happen if it is a crime??

Someone please help!!

[Bods]

I think you'll be fine vickyclare, as you said, when you passed round a corner, there were policemen in the road- that sounds like a hazard to me, and all you were doing was warning the oncoming traffic that there were people in the road. It wasn't about warning them not to speed, it was simply warning them that there was something to be careful of-I would DEFINITELY like to be warned if there were people in the road ahead!