Traffic Ticket Question?

lillyflower · May 18, 2003, 7:41pm

I was talking to a friend and we were talking about how sometimes people will see a cop and flash their highbeams to warn the on coming drivers. I myself have done this in the past. The question is, can you get a ticket or in trouble for doing this? It seems to me that you probley could and that they could pull you over and say not to, but could they actually give you a ticket for it? :dubious:

barbitu8 · May 18, 2003, 7:46pm

I don’t think there’s any law regarding flashing your high headlights to signal other drivers. You would have to check the Motor Vehicle Law in your state, but I doubt it.

lillyflower · May 18, 2003, 7:50pm

for gerneral info I live in PA. I tried to look it up but was unsuccessful, so if anyone out there finds a site or info on it, please let me know:D

barbitu8 · May 18, 2003, 8:06pm

Check it out yourself

Pencil_Pusher · May 18, 2003, 9:29pm

barbitu8’s link doesn’t seem to be very helpful. I think it is only regulatory rules that don’t really relate to your question.

The statute that you are interested in is here: http://members.aol.com/StatutesPA/75.Cp.43.html

Apparently, the issue even went up to the supreme court http://dpg-law.com/opinions/pa-suprm/9904/0935-beachey.html

The officer stopped appellant and explained that he was only going to give a verbal warning about the illegality of using high beam lights in close proximity to other vehicles. Appellant became argumentative and correctly asserted that his conduct was not illegal.
…
On October 3, 1996, in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, appellant was convicted of violating 75 Pa.C.S. § 4306(a) (governing use of multiple-beam headlights while approaching an oncoming vehicle) and sentenced to pay the costs of prosecution and a fine of twenty-five dollars.
…
However, it is inconceivable that the legislature was concerned about the midday use of high beams during periods when normal atmospheric and lighting conditions make it impossible for drivers to be blinded by headlight glare. We conclude, therefore, that section 4306(a) was never intended to apply to the midday use of one’s headlights. Appellant’s conviction for the daytime use of his high beams cannot, therefore, be sustained.

The case was decided in 1999. I have no idea if the law has changed since then.

racer72 · May 18, 2003, 11:11pm

I have seen folks in traffic court that have gotten tickets for flashing their lights to warn oncoming motorists. In every case the ticket was for interfering with the duties of a police officer and the judges upheld every ticket. It is not a moving violation though.