A Win for Free Speech!

[J86]

http://jalopnik.com/5912839/a-florida-judge-ruled-that-flashing-your-headlights-is-free-speech

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-22/news/os-flashing-headlights-ruling-20120522_1_ryan-kintner-free-speech-headlights

[Eye of the Tiger]

Good times.

[Payman]

Ha! About 20 yrs ago brother and I were flying along in his Corvette, when we saw a cop parked on the side of the road ahead of us. We slowed down in time, and after we passed him brother started flashing his lights at oncoming cars to warn them. One of the cars was a ghost car, and it did a 180 behind us and pulled us over. He asked bro why he was flashing his lights. Bro calmly said we saw a moose by the side of the road, and thought it prudent to warn other drivers. Cop paused for a moment and told us to drive carefully, then he left. We carried on for about a mile up the road, where we almost hit a fucking moose.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Ha! About 20 yrs ago brother and I were flying along in his Corvette, when we saw a cop parked on the side of the road ahead of us. We slowed down in time, and after we passed him brother started flashing his lights at oncoming cars to warn them. One of the cars was a ghost car, and it did a 180 behind us and pulled us over. He asked bro why he was flashing his lights. Bro calmly said we saw a moose by the side of the road, and thought it prudent to warn other drivers. Cop paused for a moment and told us to drive carefully, then he left. We carried on for about a mile up the road, where we almost hit a fucking moose.

nice

[Soup DeVille]

Ha! About 20 yrs ago brother and I were flying along in his Corvette, when we saw a cop parked on the side of the road ahead of us. We slowed down in time, and after we passed him brother started flashing his lights at oncoming cars to warn them. One of the cars was a ghost car, and it did a 180 behind us and pulled us over. He asked bro why he was flashing his lights. Bro calmly said we saw a moose by the side of the road, and thought it prudent to warn other drivers. Cop paused for a moment and told us to drive carefully, then he left. We carried on for about a mile up the road, where we almost hit a fucking moose.

Doesn't every drive in Newfoundland involve almost hitting a moose?

[bing_oh]

Ha! About 20 yrs ago brother and I were flying along in his Corvette, when we saw a cop parked on the side of the road ahead of us. We slowed down in time, and after we passed him brother started flashing his lights at oncoming cars to warn them. One of the cars was a ghost car, and it did a 180 behind us and pulled us over. He asked bro why he was flashing his lights. Bro calmly said we saw a moose by the side of the road, and thought it prudent to warn other drivers. Cop paused for a moment and told us to drive carefully, then he left. We carried on for about a mile up the road, where we almost hit a fucking moose.

Now THAT woulda been karma!

[bing_oh]

http://jalopnik.com/5912839/a-florida-judge-ruled-that-flashing-your-headlights-is-free-speech

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-22/news/os-flashing-headlights-ruling-20120522_1_ryan-kintner-free-speech-headlights

Good luck with this on appeal. Claiming that flashing your headlights to warn of speed enforcement is Constitutionally protected free speech is a huge stretch. More like a local judge making an oddball ruling.

[SVT666]

Ha! About 20 yrs ago brother and I were flying along in his Corvette, when we saw a cop parked on the side of the road ahead of us. We slowed down in time, and after we passed him brother started flashing his lights at oncoming cars to warn them. One of the cars was a ghost car, and it did a 180 behind us and pulled us over. He asked bro why he was flashing his lights. Bro calmly said we saw a moose by the side of the road, and thought it prudent to warn other drivers. Cop paused for a moment and told us to drive carefully, then he left. We carried on for about a mile up the road, where we almost hit a fucking moose.

[SVT666]

I like the ruling.  If speed traps are really about slowing cars down for safety reasons, then me flashing my lights at people for the next couple miles achieves that goal.  I flash my lights all the time when there is a speed trap.

[AutobahnSHO]

I personally don't see why they have to tell you that speed is enforced by radar, then have the car clearly visible.  If you're speeding, you're speeding.

Let the friggin cops hide and sneak. If they bust you, you lost. Too bad.

[giant_mtb]

I feel like half (well more than half) of the people on the roads don't know what someone flashing their lights means.  For god's sake, I can't remember how many times I've flashed my lights at someone near dark to signal that they should probably turn on their fucking headlights and they don't even notice/respond/turn them on.

[280Z Turbo]

I feel like half (well more than half) of the people on the roads don't know what someone flashing their lights means.  For god's sake, I can't remember how many times I've flashed my lights at someone near dark to signal that they should probably turn on their fucking headlights and they don't even notice/respond/turn them on.

I do the same thing and get the same results.

[Rupert]

Yeah, I think of a whole host of other things before I think there's a speed trap ahead if someone flashes their lights at me.

[Rupert]

Now THAT woulda been karma!

One time I got pulled over for ~90 in a 55, got let off with a verbal warning and a "have fun," and then, driving the limit, put the car in a ditch five miles later.

[Secret Chimp]

I feel like half (well more than half) of the people on the roads don't know what someone flashing their lights means.  For god's sake, I can't remember how many times I've flashed my lights at someone near dark to signal that they should probably turn on their fucking headlights and they don't even notice/respond/turn them on.

I've found completely turning my lights on and off is more effective for that.

[dazzleman]

One time I got pulled over for ~90 in a 55, got let off with a verbal warning and a "have fun," and then, driving the limit, put the car in a ditch five miles later.

Karma, man.  That's worse than a ticket.

[dazzleman]

I feel like half (well more than half) of the people on the roads don't know what someone flashing their lights means.  For god's sake, I can't remember how many times I've flashed my lights at someone near dark to signal that they should probably turn on their fucking headlights and they don't even notice/respond/turn them on.

I was taught about the flashing lights rule in Drivers Ed, believe it or not.  I do think a lot of people today don't know it, or they're driving with their heads so far up their asses (or in their smartphones) that they don't pay any attention to what's going on around them.

[TurboDan]

Good luck with this on appeal. Claiming that flashing your headlights to warn of speed enforcement is Constitutionally protected free speech is a huge stretch. More like a local judge making an oddball ruling.

New Jersey Supreme Court ruled flashing of lights to warn of a radar trap was legal years ago. But don't know if it was on the basis of free speech.

[dazzleman]

New Jersey Supreme Court ruled flashing of lights to warn of a radar trap was legal years ago. But don't know if it was on the basis of free speech.

I used to flash my lights when I saw a speed trap, but I usually don't bother anymore.

[MrH]

I do the same thing and get the same results.

Yep, same here.  If someone flashes their lights at me, I immediately make sure mine are on, that my brights and fogs aren't on, then I try and be extra vigilant for the next mile or two.  I usually flash if there's a cop ahead, an accident, deers, etc.

[L. ed foote]

I used to flash my lights when I saw a speed trap, but I usually don't bother anymore.

Same here. Troopers tend to hide in areas with giant medians, or post up in areas where traffic flows in one direction, so flashing high beams to warn of pending speed traps is often ineffective.

[Rupert]

Hahaha, some lady was flashing her lights at everyone she passed the other day. She was right behind the cop.

[J86]

Hahaha, some lady was flashing her lights at everyone she passed the other day. She was right behind the cop.

Hope to cop had an auto-dimming rearview mirror or that would get SERIOUSLY annoying

[Raza]

I like the ruling.  If speed traps are really about slowing cars down for safety reasons, then me flashing my lights at people for the next couple miles achieves that goal.  I flash my lights all the time when there is a speed trap.

It's not YOUR job to SLOW down MOTORISTS.  Leave it to the PROFESSIONAL law enforcement OFFICERS who are TRAINED in using ADVANCED EQUIPMENT to MONETARILY ADMONISH people for CRIMINAL driving behavior.  SPEED LIMITS are set arbitrarily and are THE LAW, even if they don't make sense and have little bearing on REALITY. 

[Raza]

Yep, same here.  If someone flashes their lights at me, I immediately make sure mine are on, that my brights and fogs aren't on, then I try and be extra vigilant for the next mile or two.  I usually flash if there's a cop ahead, an accident, deers, etc.

You wrote "deers".   

Flashing lights, I hit the brakes.  I check my high beams afterwards. 

[Colonel Cadillac]

Good luck with this on appeal. Claiming that flashing your headlights to warn of speed enforcement is Constitutionally protected free speech is a huge stretch. More like a local judge making an oddball ruling.

Big Brother in the room

[Rich]

Yep, same here.  If someone flashes their lights at me, I immediately make sure mine are on, that my brights and fogs aren't on, then I try and be extra vigilant for the next mile or two.  I usually flash if there's a cop ahead, an accident, deers, etc.

+1

And turn the radio off to try and hear if I'm dragging something under the car.