Kenzie writes that Brad Diamond, the producer of TSN's Motoring 2008, flashed his headlights at oncoming traffic to warn of a looming speed trap, but was pulled over by one of several police cars parked where they could intercept such helpful motorists. According to the citation, Diamond violated section 169 of the Highway Traffic Act, which reads, in part:
Alternating highbeams on other vehicles prohibited
(2) No person shall use highbeam headlamps that produce alternating flashes of white light on any vehicle other than a vehicle referred to in subsection (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 169 (2).


But the car is not equipped with alternating headlights, and Diamond contested the $110 ticket. Although the prosecutor decided not settle out of court, she had the judge dismiss the case by telling him there was no evidence of Diamond's wrongdoing.

Kenzie concludes that police managers are running a scam, hoping that most victims will pay up without looking too closely at the details.

http://www.wheels.ca/article/167046

 

i have mixed feelings on doing that. Sure idiots will slow down then just get back to speed, but often cops hide in dangerous turns, or areas where you should not be speeding, so if you warn them, you may cause them to slow down and save their lives or others...

 

yeah I agree with that, sometimes the clocking car can cause people to jam on the brakes out of panic, not even knowing if they are speeding or not. This can cause accidents. If there is a wreck in the road over a hill or whatever, and there are emergency vehicles, heck yeah I flash the lights to warn folks if I am thinking about it.
On the other hand, during the holidays I came across a clocking car and started to flash the lights to warn on coming traffic, but at the last second I decided not too and dang good thing... there were three troopers sitting up in the woods there looking at me. That would not have gone well...

 

I always flash my lights when I've passed a cop running radar. Although in the past few years I've noticed very few others do the same. I don't look at this as a safety issue as much as a courtesy issue. It's just like at work when someone says "Hey the boss is around... heads up."

 

You can get a BIG FINE in Va for letting someone know there is a cop by flashing high beams. I don't do it anymore because it just isn't worth it IMO

 

How many people do you think realize what you are trying to say by flashing your lights? I'd guess most people would think that you are flashing to tell them their high beams are on.

 

Georgia state troopers love to sit in the turning lane with their headlights off at night. There was actually a story on CNN or Fox about them. They were causing accidents. GSP also love sitting on the side of the road damn near the white line making you have to cross over into on comming traffic to avoid hitting them. I hate cops like this.

A back road going onto base.. although a public road, it is only used be military, we have this cop who sits in someones driveway in a valley where you cant see him. He pulls people over all the time.

I hate cops like that too.

But, I must admit, if your breaking the law, your breaking the law, even if the cop is being stupid ******* where he is radar or lasering.

www.speedtrap.org .. lookup your state/town and see where speed traps are.

Example.. here is where I live... http://www.speedtrap.org/speedtraps/...y=Fort%20Riley


Sadly, When I get out of the Army, I want to be a beat (as in beat yo' *** down mang) cop. Just kidding. I love helping people.
Muahahahaha. There are other site like this.

 

When I see someone flash me high beams on and off a couple times quickly I think there is "trouble" ahead. A wreck, slow traffic, ice, deer, or a cop; therefore I slow down. When someone turns on their high beams and leaves them on I think I have mine on and need to turn them off. I don't just flash for Cops. Someone flashed me the other day and I slowed down to 10 under luckily bc there was a wreck in the middle of the road just over a hill. If I had been doing the speed limit I would have added to the wreck.

 

I flash my lights to let people know something is going on. Cop, accident, your lights are off, whatever. A couple quick flashes and that's it.

I can't imagine VA fining people because they flash their lights. Web surfing people, what sight to find this out?

Who are the cops out there on this sight. What do you think?

 

I'm going to say that he will lose.

The wording of the law doesn't stipulate left-to-right flashing. Just that it alternates from one brightness to another.

Of course, the other charges could include "aiding and abetting", "interferring with during the course of their duties" etc. I'm sure those carry much heavier fines than a moving violation.


As far as the charges being dropped, it could be that the crown attorney (Canadian version of a DA) knew the judge assigned to the case and knew said Justice was lenient and errs on the side of the motorist.


That being said, flashing somehow died in the past 10-15 years. It used to be a courtesy that was granted without question. Now no one gives a crap.

 

As far as I know, there is no law against flashing your fog/driving lights (OEM) at people, which is what I do when people don't have their headlights on, or if there is a speed trap coming. I always leave my headlights in "auto" mode, so that is the only way for me to signal people other than high beams (which I do enough, since I get so many people brighting me thinking I have me brights on... thanks Ford).

 

This is referring to aftermarket lights or mods. Stock lamps don't fit this classification. Otherwise the car manufacturer could be sued for installing illegal equipment on a vehicle that does not fit the requirement of subsection (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 169 (2).

In short, it pertains to the equipment itself... not "how" it's being manually operated.

 

Show me where it says that?

 

He already won. It was dismissed.

 

I haven't written this ticket, but here in California, this is the code I would be using. It would have no problem in court either.

Use of Multiple Beams

24409. Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated during darkness, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(a) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, he shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver.

The lowermost distribution of light specified in this article shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times regardless of road contour.

(b) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within 300 feet to the rear, he shall use the lowermost distribution of light specified in this article.
Amended Ch. 37, Stats. 1965. Effective September 17, 1965.