Warning Drivers Of Speed Traps With Flashing Headlights Is Free Speech

[Executioner]

A federal judge in St. Louis ruled Monday that a driver flashing their lights to warn other drivers of an impending speed trap is protected free speech.

On November 22, 2012 Michael Elli received a ticket for flashing his lights to warn fellow drivers of a speed trap, according to Fox 2. The American Civil Liberties Union helped Elli fight the $1,000 ticket all the way to federal court.

Judge Henry Autrey of St. Louis ruled a driver has the right to flash their lights under the First Amendment. Autrey issued an injunction to stop Ellisville Police from enforcing the policy.

"If you're at the gas station on the corner and someone says 'Hey be careful over there, there's a speed trap,' that's protected speech. You can't be ticketed for that. This is no different," Tony Rothert, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, told Fox 2.

A lawyer for the police in Ellisville said the department isn't affected by the ruling, as this kind of ticket has only been issued five or so times in the last decade. Across the country, however, the ruling will be considered the benchmark for such cases.

http://autos.aol.com/article/warning-dr ... d%3D439290

[normalicy]

Sweet, I've always worried I'd get dinged for that.

[EvilHorace]

I think that it'd be hard to get caught for that but if I did, I'd deny that. I think it'd be hard to prove too.

[wvjohn]

a lot of small town speed traps do that.

[Pugsley]

So flashing lights is freedom of speech? I got an ambulance... does that mean it's now ok to run the lights on public roads? After all, me running the lights is like if I was standing at a gas station and yelling at everyone "look at me!"

[EvilHorace]

I see many cars, especially Toyota vehicles driving on the freeways with no lights on. I'm surprised no safety board has forced a recall on this yet as it's happening because their dash lights are always lit when the ign's on thus on lit roads, it's easy to not notice the headlights (and ALL exterior lights) are turned off.
So then is it technically legal to flash those cars when you can or might that be considered that you're trying to warn someone of a speed trap?

[b-man1]

I see many cars, especially Toyota vehicles driving on the freeways with no lights on. I'm surprised no safety board has forced a recall on this yet as it's happening because their dash lights are always lit when the ign's on thus on lit roads, it's easy to not notice the headlights (and ALL exterior lights) are turned off.
So then is it technically legal to flash those cars when you can or might that be considered that you're trying to warn someone of a speed trap?

I flash people quite often that are driving without their lights on (at dusk and nighttime). The thing is, I would say maybe 1 out of 20 or less actually turn them on after passing by. Unsafe and oblivious drivers suck.

[Executioner]

I flash people quite often that are driving without their lights on (at dusk and nighttime). The thing is, I would say maybe 1 out of 20 or less actually turn them on after passing by. Unsafe and oblivious drivers suck.

you have to remember that almost 1/2 of the people on the road do not know how to drive. There are so many idiots out there, it amazes me that we don't have more death. If it was up to me, these people would be force to ride a bus.

[EvilHorace]

I flash people quite often that are driving without their lights on (at dusk and nighttime). The thing is, I would say maybe 1 out of 20 or less actually turn them on after passing by. Unsafe and oblivious drivers suck.

I wonder how many of those driving w/o their lights on are involved in accidents?

Roads and cars here are now dirty and salt covered, too cold to wash the salt off and then assclowns are driving their black SUVs at night with no lights on. You could easy not see them while changing lanes, etc.
I also doubt cops are pulling them over as I think they all have bigger fish to fry.

[b-man1]

I wonder how many of those driving w/o their lights on are involved in accidents?

Roads and cars here are now dirty and salt covered, too cold to wash the salt off and then assclowns are driving their black SUVs at night with no lights on. You could easy not see them while changing lanes, etc.
I also doubt cops are pulling them over as I think they all have bigger fish to fry.

don't forget the white and grey cars that drive around in snow storms, fog, etc. those are my favorites...ugh. i'm also amazed there are not more accidents.

[Pugsley]

Also I want to tell the people in charge at GM that thought making the reverse lights on cars double as "courtesy" lights that they are morons. I all ways stop thinking a car is backing out... nope somebody is just getting out of their car!

[EvilHorace]

Also I want to tell the people in charge at GM that thought making the reverse lights on cars double as "courtesy" lights that they are morons. I all ways stop thinking a car is backing out... nope somebody is just getting out of their car!

X2! Whoever thought that was a good idea should be shot.


IMO, cars (like Toyota, etc) where the lights stay on for 30 seconds or more every time you exit the car is also retarded. Why? In your garage, the garage door opener has a light so you can see. Outside, there are usually lights wherever you park, even moonlight in the middle of nowhere works. It's very rare when you'd exit your car in a pitch black place and need the headlights on to see where you're going.

[Key Keeper]

Its actually a deterrent to keep people safe. Most the time a mugger doesnt want to be seen so they hide in the shadows. Headlights and even reverse lamps illuminate a wide area even by reflection so makes for a safer area. Dont get me wrong, I hate that I have to click the stupid arm button my key fob twice to get my head lamps to shut off at night when Im going into a store.

Also, the sensors for the auto on/off setting for modern headlamps, are far too lazy. Head lights should auto "on" a lot earlier.

[FlyingPenguin]

I swear the auto/off on my Camry must be in excess of 20 minutes. I'll go inside with groceries, put them away, come outside, and the headlights are STILL on.

They'll go off if you use the remote door lock, but I think they may stay on forever if you don't.

While we're on the subject, there is nothing more annoying than the seat belt alarm on a Camry. That thing will sound off for a good 15 minutes. I just want to drive to the end of my driveway (I live 200 feet from the road) and it's dinging the whole time.

[EvilHorace]

Both of those timed items should be adjustable via Toyota's Techstream software (via laptop) as they are with Lexus. I believe that you can have both set to off, like no headlights with the key off (definitely less time) and no seat belt chime.
I use my seat belts as after it became law, I got use to it but on a test drive at work, it gets annoying as I'd rather not use them for a 1 block drive.

Its actually a deterrent to keep people safe. Most the time a mugger doesnt want to be seen so they hide in the shadows. Headlights and even reverse lamps illuminate a wide area even by reflection so makes for a safer area.

I think that's possibly correct but how many people are really mugged, parking in areas where people like that are around? The percentage of that happening can't be high and like car alarms, if the thief wants something bad enough, lights and alarms won't deter him.