# How likely is it you'd be prosecuted for warning motorists of a speed trap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 23, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844 "2012-05-23T16:06:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/21 "2012-05-23T20:23:53Z")
Very informative, **Bricker** -thank you. Is there anything in the law about hitting the hazard lights for a brief period as a warning? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/22 "2012-05-23T20:41:52Z")
Well, what is recommended if someone forgets to dim their high beams? A short flash, just like the speed trap warning. Furthermore, many of these speed traps are during daylight hours. You don’t have to flash high beams, just flash your regular headlights. ---
**Author:** ![Fourtyfold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f475e1/32.png) [@Fourtyfold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fourtyfold)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/23 "2012-05-23T22:16:55Z")
[This news item](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1463472/Motorist-is-banned-over-speed-trap-alert.html) is from the UK in 2004, but I’m sure will be of interest - > [@](#): > > A pensioner who warned motorists of a police speed trap was convicted of wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty, banned from driving and ordered to pay £364 costs yesterday… He wasn’t even driving his car at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/24 "2012-05-23T22:35:11Z")
> [@Fourtyfold](#): > > [This news item](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1463472/Motorist-is-banned-over-speed-trap-alert.html) is from the UK in 2004, but I’m sure will be of interest - > > He wasn’t even driving his car at the time. There was [a similar case in the UK](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1506610/Case-of-driver-who-warned-of-speed-trap-may-go-to-Lords.html) about the same time, where a person warning of a speed trap had his conviction dismissed on appeal. Unfortunately, it was not because it’s not an offense, but > [@](#): > > … he was cleared in the Court of Appeal in October when the judge ruled that the police could not prove that any speeding motorists had slowed down as a result of his actions. Fortunately, since that’s going to be hard for the police to prove, the police may have stopped prosecuting such cases. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/25 "2012-05-23T22:41:15Z")
Heroin is illegal, too. Can I go make a citizen’s arrest of Rachael Leigh Cook for warning us? (I’ll use my fur-lined handcuffs) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/26 "2012-05-23T23:02:01Z")
I was going to give an answer but Bricker did it. It looks like the statute in Florida was not properly applied. In other states there are statutes that regulate the use of high beams. I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for warning others about radar enforcement. I do know of a police officer that was fired for doing it. She had a lot of other problems too. When the grants come down for the Click it or Ticket program the big stated talk radio channel gives updates as to where there is enforcement. Doesn’t bother me in the slightest. > [@drachillix](#): > > The way I had it explained to me by my California Highway patrol buddy is, finding violations is easy, if you are not coming in with 20 or so tickets at the end of the shift they start asking what tree you were napping under all day. Its not a quota, because it is very easy to get wrapped up in other duties. Think of it like punishing the lowest performing sales rep. regardless of his actual numbers. If the average cop is writing 20 tickets a day and you average 10…they question if you are really trying. That is pretty accurate. I tried to explain it here before. I had mentioned that we had to write tickets and we could get in trouble if we didn’t. Which was met with an “AHA! Quotas!” While I have no doubt that there are quotas in some departments, there is none in mine. But I don’t think that it is too hard to understand that since it is a large part of the job (lets say 1/3), coming in with zero at the end of the month would be unacceptable. In my department it only takes about 10 a month to keep the higher-ups off your back. Some individuals place more importance on traffic enforcement and tend to be more aggresive. Some do the minimum needed to get by. Just like in any job really. It has never even been hinted to me to write tickets for the purpose of revenue. However our new traffic light cams are straight up fleecing the public. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/27 "2012-05-23T23:03:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Very informative, **Bricker** -thank you. Is there anything in the law about hitting the hazard lights for a brief period as a warning? Sure go ahead. No one will know what the hell you are doing though. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/28 "2012-05-24T00:30:57Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Some states have ordinances regulating the use of high beams. In Alaska, for example, 13 AAC 04.020(e)(1) provides: But the paragraph above that makes it clear that this applies “during the times specified in sec. 10.” Section 10 defines when lights are to be used, which is basically around dark or when visibility is less than 1000 feet. I don’t think anything could prevent a person from flashing their brights during the day, when I suspect most speed traps take place. You could also just flash your dim lights off and on if you’re worried about getting a ticket for brights. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/29 "2012-05-24T01:39:05Z")
They arrested some clown (literally) in Santa Cruz CA for feeding the meters, but after a uproar of protest, backed down. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/30 "2012-05-24T01:51:01Z")
There was a case recently in DC where a [local chef](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/update-dc-police-respond-to-chef-geoffs-speed-cam-activism/2012/01/25/gIQAiodERQ_blog.html) got fed up with a speed camera and publicized its location. I think he may have even hired a sign-holding guy. The DC police said it still accomplishes the goal of getting people to slow down, so they have no beef with the chef. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/31 "2012-05-24T02:02:06Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > When was the last time a cop died as part of a speed trap operation? Has it ever happened? A speed trap van was shot at on an Arizona freeway a couple years ago and the cop inside died. IIRC, the defense was along the lines of “I didn’t know a cop was in the van so not really my fault.” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/32 "2012-05-24T09:54:02Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > There was a case recently in DC where a [local chef](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/update-dc-police-respond-to-chef-geoffs-speed-cam-activism/2012/01/25/gIQAiodERQ_blog.html) got fed up with a speed camera and publicized its location. I think he may have even hired a sign-holding guy. The DC police said it still accomplishes the goal of getting people to slow down, so they have no beef with the chef. If you follow the link you can see that the DC police publish a list of locations themselves. Its not a secret so it would be hard to complain about when someone else publishes it. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/33 "2012-05-24T10:25:56Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > When the grants come down for the Click it or Ticket program the big stated talk radio channel gives updates as to where there is enforcement. Doesn’t bother me in the slightest. If it’s one where they stop and check everyone, I believe they’re required to publicize it. At least that’s the case with the DUI checkpoints in my state. ---
**Author:** ![Donnerwetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/34 "2012-05-24T10:32:35Z")
In Germany, speed trap warnings are a regular feature in traffic reports on the radio (sometimes even on public stations which are funded by license fees). I always wondered how this could be legal, but it’s been going on for many years. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/35 "2012-05-24T10:45:32Z")
The problem with the argument that it makes people slow down is that it makes them slow down temporarily. The idea of a hiddes speedtrap is that you don’t know where they are, so, just to be sure, you’ll have to drive under the speed limit all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Donnerwetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/36 "2012-05-24T10:46:48Z")
> [@](#): > > They arrested some clown (literally) in Santa Cruz CA for feeding the meters, but after a uproar of protest, backed down. On what grounds was this man arrested? There can’t possibly be a law against feeding parking meters (at least if you don’t jam them by inserting too many coins). ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/37 "2012-05-24T11:00:40Z")
> [@Donnerwetter](#): > > In Germany, speed trap warnings are a regular feature in traffic reports on the radio (sometimes even on public stations which are funded by license fees). > > I always wondered how this could be legal, but it’s been going on for many years. Probably because in Germany, as in Sweden, the main reason for having speed traps at all is to slow the traffic down at crucial points. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/38 "2012-05-24T11:52:00Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > If it’s one where they stop and check everyone, I believe they’re required to publicize it. At least that’s the case with the DUI checkpoints in my state. No they do not stop everyone. Just those not wearing seatbelts. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/39 "2012-05-24T12:56:55Z")
> [@Donnerwetter](#): > > On what grounds was this man arrested? There can’t possibly be a law against feeding parking meters (at least if you don’t jam them by inserting too many coins). There was a law, actaully. They cited him for $13, and were going to actually arrest him: [http://www.scruzwiki.org/Mr\_Twister\_the\_Clown](http://www.scruzwiki.org/Mr_Twister_the_Clown) > **[Mr. Twister, the Meter-Feeding Clown | Techyum](http://techyum.com/2010/08/mr-twister-the-meter-feeding-clown/)** > > So the story goes this way. About fifteen years ago there's this clown in Santa Cruz, okay? Okay, back up: Santa Cruz is this weird, weird town about a hundred [http://www.topix.com/forum/city/aptos-ca/THTQVD8VQ4DRP9L1Q](http://www.topix.com/forum/city/aptos-ca/THTQVD8VQ4DRP9L1Q) [http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci\_15705068](http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_15705068) _McDonald, who has Asperger syndrome, began performing as a clown when he was 10 years old. He had been at it for 16 years when, in September 1995, a “parking control deputy” saw him putting a quarter into an expired meter in front of the Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co. and issued him a $13 citation. A city ordinance in effect at the time prohibited anyone from feeding an expired parking meter without the owners’ permission._ ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844/40 "2012-05-24T13:03:19Z")
> [@Donnerwetter](#): > > On what grounds was this man arrested? There can’t possibly be a law against feeding parking meters (at least if you don’t jam them by inserting too many coins). According to [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/US/9510/clown_rally/index.html) > [@](#): > > …in Santa Cruz, feeding your neighbor’s meter is illegal unless you have permission from the car owner… The law was later repealed after public outcry over the case. On a related note, in most areas it is illegal to overstay the parking limit even if you continue to pay the meter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-it-youd-be-prosecuted-for-warning-motorists-of-a-speed-trap/622844.md?page=3)