Can the police prosecute people for warning other drivers of speed traps?

You mention that it is not illegal to warn approaching drivers of the hazard of a speed trap, unless the person warned was in fact already speeding. I remember reading recently of a speed trap set up where, in addition to a number of speeders caught, those who had given warning of the speed trap were charged with "Improper use of headlights.” Is that legal? Is an offence committed when one flashes one's lights at another driver, with the exception that you have already mentioned?

Asked on 14 September 2013 by JI, Wallingford

Answered by Honest John

Angry police can issue fixed penalties for imaginary offences and if the drivers are stupid enough they simply accept them. If they take this to court and demand proof of an offence, unless the police can prove that the oncoming cars actually were speeding (which they have sometimes been able to do) the case gets thrown out and the police get rebuked.

Tags: speed cameras police headlights

Similar questions

Can a speed camera be installed just because drivers speed a lot in the area?

Can speed cameras be installed on a dual carriageway if an accident has not happened along that stretch of road, but simply because of speeding incidents and a public consultation? And does it make it...

In Hong Kong, the police deduct 4mph from your recorded speed to allow for speed camera inaccuracy.

Regarding AA's neighbour being fined for driving 2mph over the speed limit (22 June), the police here in Hong Kong deduct 4mph from your recorded speed to allow for the inaccuracy of speed cameras. They...

Was a lorry driver exonerated in court for warning oncoming drivers of a speed trap?

Many years ago I believe you ran a item in your pages concerning a lorry driver being found guilty by police for warning drivers of a speed check/trap, but on appeal to the law lords he was exonerated....