ChatterBank0 min ago
Perverting the course of justice
I can buy a map or electronic device that will inform me or warn me of speed cameras. The police or council authorities can put up signs warning of speed cameras but if I indicate to oncoming traffic that a speed camera is in operation i can be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice. How can I be liable when I'm doing no more than what maps signs etc. do.
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I think Sigma is asking why there have been incidents of motorists being prosecuted for alerting on-coming road-users (by way of flashing headlamps, etc) that they are approaching a 'speed-trap', when there are many other ways that these 'speed-traps' are brought to our attention.
I've read about such convictions, but I'm not quite sure what case the prosecution has made in each case.
I've read about such convictions, but I'm not quite sure what case the prosecution has made in each case.
It was always a sort of 'unspoken courtesy of the road', long before there were such things as speed cameras.
Not weird at all..........in fact suddenly finding yourself in a 'speed trap' (or anywhere near a police car, actually) would cause you to loudly question the parentage of any on-coming drivers who had failed to alert you to the fact that Mr. Plod was nearby........
Not weird at all..........in fact suddenly finding yourself in a 'speed trap' (or anywhere near a police car, actually) would cause you to loudly question the parentage of any on-coming drivers who had failed to alert you to the fact that Mr. Plod was nearby........
AA staff always used to salute as cars with an AA badge drove by... if they didn't, it was a warning that there was a cop ahead. But that is giving a warning by doing nothing at all, and so legal.
But I would have thought flashing your lights at a speeding driver to tell him to slow down was very public spirited, whether there's a speed trap ahead or not.
But I would have thought flashing your lights at a speeding driver to tell him to slow down was very public spirited, whether there's a speed trap ahead or not.
You can't be (successfully) prosecuted.
Why not?
Because you are NOT warning other cars of the presence of a speed camera ...
... you are warning them that they are entering an area in which they should drive more slowly ...
(which is the supposed justification for speed cameras)
So, you are not "perverting the course of justice" ...
You are HELPING the Police to achieve their stated aim of reducing traffic speed.
And that, Your Worships, is the case for the Defence. In my submission, there is no case to answer, and the case should be dismissed with costs for the Defence.
Why not?
Because you are NOT warning other cars of the presence of a speed camera ...
... you are warning them that they are entering an area in which they should drive more slowly ...
(which is the supposed justification for speed cameras)
So, you are not "perverting the course of justice" ...
You are HELPING the Police to achieve their stated aim of reducing traffic speed.
And that, Your Worships, is the case for the Defence. In my submission, there is no case to answer, and the case should be dismissed with costs for the Defence.
There is a distinction to be made between "speed traps" i.e. mobile, temporary, non-indicated sites (as mentioned by hc4361) and those camera sites which are signed and posted online by authorities and included on SatNav POIs etc. How can an indicated site be a "trap"?
In the case of the first type, a form of 'sting' operation, flashing a warning to oncoming traffic would not meet the threshold for 'perverting the course of justice' but could easily fall within 'obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty'.
In the case of the first type, a form of 'sting' operation, flashing a warning to oncoming traffic would not meet the threshold for 'perverting the course of justice' but could easily fall within 'obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty'.
some years ago, when I was on afternoon shift, I always saw a mate going home off days and he ALWAYS flashed his lights to say hello as we passed. One day we passed, he flashed and I drove through a speed trap and got 3 points and a £20 fine, when I saw him later he was surprised I'd got caught as he'd flashed to warn me.
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