Florida man sues state over ticket for flashing high beams to warn other drivers.

[Berean]

Originally Posted by DOOK

Revenue reduction, not safety is the obvious answer to those who would try to curtail warning drivers.

Bingo! We have a winner!

[Brokinarrow]

The biggest hole in the state's argument that I can see is that unless a police officer is actively chasing someone (lights on, siren going) I wouldn't think they are in a "police action". After all, observant drivers are going to spot the cop before they get to him anyway, and what are they going to do? Slow down for a bit till they get out of range, then go right back to speeding. Personally, I usually have less issues with people going 10 mph over the limit than with those going 10 mph UNDER the limit. It always seems like its the ones going slow that are swerving in and out of their lane and unable to keep a constant speed. Wish more cops would pull THOSE types over.

[Dr Jkel]

WOW In our area the flashing of headlights is meant as " There is danger ahead" Ie....A wreck, speed trap, something in the road..etc......and to slow your butt down. I have never seena person stopped much less a ticket for it.

Really what harm does it do to anyone.....OK I flash my lights and tell someone that there is a COP ahead, or some other danger like things in the road, a wrech etc.....who does this harm? Absolutley NO ONE, not even the state.....It actually may even help..

Lets just say there is a wreck and a police officer is working the wreck....as we know it slows traffic by alerting someone of the potential danger, cop, etc...it may actually save someone from either getting into a wreck because of stopped traffic, running over a cop working the wreck or simply save someone from having a wreck because something is in the road........

OBTW I am a Federal LEO and this is just dumb to write a ticket for this.

[cab2g]

if it's hazardous to flash your headlights, then why do manufacturers have a spring loaded high beam bar? It is clearly designed to allow quick flashing of the headlights.

And I think it can be used to warn of a road hazard, and that's why they're there... If the hazard is a speed trap or a downed branch around the corner, well I'm glad they told me to slow down.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by greenisgood

His intent is to save people a few bucks from a bs speedtrap!

Only people who have never in any way broken a speed law can argue against this.



crickets

I have never used flashing headlights to warn of impending cops, but I see nothing wrong with it.

I really don't like that flashing headlights (or honking the horn here in Washington State) can be ticketed.

I believe that both are a form of communication. Horn might be noisy, but it alerts drivers that are sitting at a light when the light turns green, or changing lanes. There are just times where it is necessary to honk your horn.

Same goes with flashing the high beams. I used to use it all the time to flash people that had left them on. I still do, but I apparently could get ticketed now. Also, it used to be common to flash your headlights in the left lane when someone wasn't pulling over when not passing. Now, apparently, that's illegal.

I'm sorry...but I think both of those warnings should both be legal and common. People shouldn't get their panties in a wad just because someone flashes their lights.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

My mom was in a wreck a few years ago because some driver decided to flash his high beams for the same reason and blinded her. He learned a valuable lesson that day. Not only did he get a ticket but his insurance also had to pay for all the damage and hospital bills.

If you're going to warn incoming drivers, do it another way. Don't flash your high beams. It's very dangerous and can cause people to wreck and get hurt or worse. It's illegal in most states for a reason.

I'm going to have to completely disagree with you here.

I learned when driving to look at the white line on the side of the road when oncoming cars are coming so that the lights won't blind you...even if they are brights.

If your mom got blinded at night by flashing lights, maybe she should be driving at night? I'm appalled that the oncoming driver both got a ticket and was found at fault for this. I mean, I'm sorry about your mom, but this is just insane.

[Berean]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

I'm going to have to completely disagree with you here.

I learned when driving to look at the white line on the side of the road when oncoming cars are coming so that the lights won't blind you...even if they are brights.

I have to agree.

I'm sorry about Draco's mom, but if you get blinded by high beams, you're not doing it right.

[BiG_TiMe]

looks like i shouldnt do that anymore..i usually flash them to tell other drivers to hurry the ef up or as a consequence for cutting me off