Is There a Right to Flash Lights to Warn Motorists of a Speed Trap? – Can They Stop You?

Is there a constitutionally protected right to flash your lights at oncoming traffic, in order to warn them of an approaching speed trap? There’s remarkably few rulings out there on this issue, and a quick search reveals very little guidance from the judiciary and the legal community. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a common occurrence.

I hear about it from time-to-time and there’s a few instances out there if it being captured on video. Perhaps my favorite is an old video from the guy they called the Godfather of First Amendment auditors, Jeff Grey. This occurred in Florida, near Jacksonville, on I-10, and involves a classic Florida speed trap, full of unnecessary government employees who have nothing else better to do than to harass people and flex their egos and authority. Jeff sets the trap with the bait. And the cops can’t resist it.

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NOTE: We don't condone threats or violence of any kind. If you are upset or outraged by acts of government misconduct featured in this video, we encourage you to utilize lawful means of expression, including becoming involved in the political process, as well as seeking accountability through the judicial system.

[kevinmyers]

If speed traps were for the purpose of “driver safety” and not revenue generation, they wouldn’t care if other drivers were warned.

[gungadinn]

I recall one of the networks outfitting a car with GPS and 5 or 6 video cameras as well as audio. They drove into an area where the cops were known for speed enforcement as well as making things up, you failed to stay in a single lane, failure to use signal and speed.

As a result of the investigation a few cops and a couple of judges were federally charged for racketeering.

[truthhurtsdontit]

Wait I have a serious question…. Can’t a lawsuit be filed because the cop prolonged the traffic stop after he said Jeff was free to go?

[jrken]

My wife was coming home from work around midnight years ago and she passed a speed trap like this. She flashed her lights at the first oncoming car to warn him. To her surprise, it was another police officer. He turned and lit her up. She was approached by the officer who cited her for ILLEGAL USE OF HIGH BEAMS WITHIN 50 FEET OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A law he just made up. We went to court and of course the officer gave his statement first. He explained to the judge that my wife had hit him with high beams at such a close range that he almost lost control of his cruiser and had to physically pull to the side of the road to regain his composure. Now first of all this was an outright lie. My wife was nearly 300 feet away when she flashed her lights. She did not hit him with high beams and hold them on him like he is now claiming. We also told the judge that he never stated this to her at all that night by saying Oh my goodness, I almost wrecked because you blinded me. No……. His first words to her were “ I saw what you did and I know why you did it. “ as there is no law in Pa. regarding the use of high beams within 50 feet of oncoming traffic and it was clear to the judge that the police officer was lying, he sided in our favor and dismissed the ticket. You want to believe and have faith in your local police force but when things don’t go their way, it is clear some will do and say anything to retaliate.

[Trupurpose]

I heard of a case where cops gave someone some kind of ticket for flashing their lights to warn drivers of cops, but the judge dismissed it saying the driver was doing the same thing cops were doing, slowing people down that were speeding.

[imbalancedstatus]

If safety is the issue, they should be happy Jeff is warning motorist to slow down. Revenue generation is the PRIME DIRECTIVE

[Ebooger]

During the height of the CB radio craze in the 1970s, I clearly remember a federal court case that struck down cops issuing tickets for drivers warning other motorists about speed traps using CB radios. Also, speed traps are clearly shown on Google maps day in and day out, if you pass one, Google asks you " is it still there?" I don't see any cops doing anything about that. As usual, cops want to make the law besides enforcing it.

[freemindthinkerezrapound]

It's great to know a civil rights activist and a civil rights lawyer are keeping an eye out for the working man's rights, thank you both

[rich]

In a small town in SC I was stopped for speeding in a school zone. I was doing 35 and the speed limit sign said 35. When I commented on the 35 mph sign the officer claimed they changed the limit to 25 but haven't changed the sign yet. Since it was a school zone (stiffer penalties) and I already had 2 points on my license I contacted a local attorney. He told me he had another person that claimed the same thing, a high school girl who could lose her new license or double her insurance premium and be in trouble with parents. We joined forces and plead innocent. The police claimed that it would be worse doing so. We maintained our stance. The JUDGE said if we plead guilty to not signing back of registration it would be a 50.00 fine with no points. The sign did disappear prior to court appearance so I did not get a photo. 250.00 is still better than increase in insurance and fine for speeding. 50.00 fine 200.00 attorney. Crooked cops and Judge.

[SN]

"Freedom is scary. Deal with it."

I like that. 👌

[jimochoa]

Cops that break the law and violate you're Rights. Should automatically be fired. No reason for corrupt cops

[jesusgavemeaids]

The worst part was probably the cop trying to force him to stop recording, but saying he's free to go but still has his license. One can only imagine what might have happened if he had been dumb enough to stop recording.
One could argue that they were prolonging the stop.

[briansmyla]

There is established precedent that holding a person longer than needed to handle the business at hand is an illegal detention. First officer admitted that they made a welfare check stop. Welfare was determined, yet the subject was still detained for further investigation without reasonable, articulable suspicion. That was illegal, and should be challenged.

[samsprague]

My dad got pulled over in NJ for this, with my mom, my 5 siblings and a dog in the car. He refused to get out of the car when asked, and refused to accept a ticket. He told the officer he needed the penal code violation number. He didn't mention that he was the NY State Motor Vehicle Court of Appeals Chairman. It was probably around 1975.

[dawnburkhart]

Jeff is indeed the godfather of the 1A community.
The way you break down this legal jargon is so easy to understand. Thank you for doing your part in helping people learn, know and understand their rights

[BRIFFDOGG]

Wow what a disgusting officer, this guy needs to be disciplined immediately

[LoneTiger]

My grandfather was a trucker, and my dad was a trucker before going to college for his civil engineering degree, my dad taught me that you flash your lights to oncoming traffic to warn them about a hazard on their lane, usually truckers flash back, car drivers usually don't 'get it'.

[youtubeguy.]

I have two videos of this from driving Uber. Got pulled over for warning of speed trap. What I read is it’s silent freedom of speech. And it actually encourages other motorists do abide by the law. :). That’s what I read. Love your videos. If you want mine to share reach out to me. :)

[cplmpcocptcl]

The few times I was speeding, other drivers warned me. You can bet I do the same.
I LOVE that he said “for my protection…and YOURS!”

[lisabailon]

Thank you for addressing this issue. Live in Florida looked up every thing I can and didn't find any thing on the issue. I been flashing my lights for as long as I been driving. My dad told us too to warn drivers. Not going to stop.