flashing your lights

sportswear

so i drove past a speed checkpoint and i saw another car coming toward me. I had been doing well under the limit, so i gave the car facing me a flash to let him know what was up ahead..

Further up the road there was another guard, who flashed me over. He took my name address and licence and told me to present my insurance at a station of my choice within 10 days.

he also told me that I would get a summons for obstruction of justice.


!!! bent.

Esel

There was a thread on this a while ago. It is an offence alright.

sportswear

what would you say the chances of it going through are?

anyone ever had this happen??

Nuttzyy

What a sad bastard of a guard, pity they're not so quick to catch joyriders and the like. Pity we cant charge the guards for obstruction of justice regarding their lack of catching real criminals.
Just say you were warning the other motorist of a dog you saw straggling about the road.

Balfa

Yeah, how can they prove you were trying to obstruct justice and not just warning of something else?

greatgoal

sportswear wrote: »

so i drove past a speed checkpoint and i saw another car coming toward me. I had been doing well under the limit, so i gave the car facing me a flash to let him know what was up ahead..

Further up the road there was another guard, who flashed me over. He took my name address and licence and told me to present my insurance at a station of my choice within 10 days.

he also told me that I would get a summons for obstruction of justice.


!!! bent.

surely by telling the other driver to slow down you were upholding the law?

Mitch Connor

Or warning that there was a potential hazzard ahead - which i'm sure the speed check point could be classed as.

I don't see how this can be an offense - if the person slows down then what is the actual problem? The Government missing out on some cash?

Caoimhín

It is an offence but i would be surprised if you get summonsed for it.
He just wanted to give you a fright.

ambro25

Tauren wrote: »

The Government missing out on some cash?

The Government is permanently missing out on some cash :pac:

Haven't you noticed "late-in-the-month law enforcement" yet? If that's not moneybox policing, I really don't know what the f*ck is! It's so flagrant in Dublin, as to be well beyond a joke: you don't see a Gard for 20-24 days, then suddenly during the last week of the month you can't let out a sneaky one at the lights without being immediately hung, drawn and quartered.

@ OP, what Nuttzyy said. It's up to the Gards to prove you were "obstructing justice", not the other way around.

Mena

Can't see how they can nail you for this. Simply say the guy either flashed you or was blinding you with his lights. End off.

Pherekydes

If you use the defence that you were warning him of the speed trap you may get done for obstruction, but if you use the defence that you thought he was driving too fast and you were warning him to slow down they can say nothing to you.

Many times I've passed a hazard (horses on the road, accidents, etc) and as soon as I've passed it I flash the first few cars coming the other way. This is the principle you should use as your defence. If the Judge is not completely senile he should commend you and bollock the summonsing guard.

WHITE_P

Slow coach wrote: »

If you use the defence that you were warning him of the speed trap you may get done for obstruction, but if you use the defence that you thought he was driving too fast and you were warning him to slow down they can say nothing to you.

Many times I've passed a hazard (horses on the road, accidents, etc) and as soon as I've passed it I flash the first few cars coming the other way. This is the principle you should use as your defence. If the Judge is not completely senile he should commend you and bollock the summonsing guard.

In an Ideal world !!!

Claim you knew the other driver and were saluting him.

cabrwab

Yeah, Just say you knew the guy, or thought you did. But granted he shouldve done this when the gaurd stopped him!

bennyc

IMO Flashing your lights at any time is boll$%. I drive a volvo so lights are always on, A few time when driving I see a car exiting a junction and they have a quick look left and right see my lights on and take that to be a "flash" the few times I saw what was comming next and jammed on the brakes before the car pulls out in front of me.
Sounds mad but this has happened a few times.

BnA

sportswear wrote: »

so i drove past a speed checkpoint and i saw another car coming toward me. I had been doing well under the limit, so i gave the car facing me a flash to let him know what was up ahead..

Further up the road there was another guard, who flashed me over. He took my name address and licence and told me to present my insurance at a station of my choice within 10 days.

he also told me that I would get a summons for obstruction of justice.


!!! bent.

Why did you flash the car ?

Sherifu

Don't do the crime...

I've seen people being pulled for this. That's why I wouldn't flash someone after a checkpoint/speed trap, it's too risky.

NBar

What do you care you were driving below the limit and the car you flashed might be the same one that drives into you someday at speed and have no Insurance, could be somebody with a pipe bomb to place in your neighbourhood driving the car as well. I wonder will teh guy you flashed go to court with you as well cause you saved him a few quid and penalty points

Victor_M

NBar wrote: »

What do you care you were driving below the limit and the car you flashed might be the same one that drives into you someday at speed and have no Insurance, could be somebody with a pipe bomb to place in your neighbourhood driving the car as well. I wonder will teh guy you flashed go to court with you as well cause you saved him a few quid and penalty points

Good Jesus - Some times you are better off just posting nothing then making a pr1ck out of yourself.

About the flashing I'm not sure how they would prove it, but I do flash and have been gratefully on the recieving end on the odd flash, it slows you down and prevents you speeding, which is the whole point of the check point excercise isn't it? It's not there to generate revenue surely!

Also hand out the window can be as effictive on smaller roads without the risk of being seen up ahead by the guard hiding in the bush.

Anan1

Would most drivers even realize why they're being flashed?

Ferris

I nearly got done for this, I flashed oncoming cars after passing a checkpoint and the guards must have seen the flash of my lights lighting up the road from behind. He came after me, tailed me for a while (i'd sussed that I had been nabbed at this stage and wasn't speeding etc) and pulled me over.

I denied everything and then said that he must be mistaken, also that I had put my foglights on and maybe thats what he saw (it was a foggy night and I had them on). He ended up letting me off with presenting my details.

Always I was polite to the guard as I think this has more chance of getting you off than anything. Won't be doing it in the future and I'm not sure why I did it then, in retrospect its not up to us motorists to enforce the law.

staker

i try to flash oncomers if i think it's safe to do so. always appreciate it too. will text if i know any potential users of the same road too. some of those speed limits are really pointless, especially on town entrances/exits, nothing but cash rakers.

DonJose

I don't understand why people do this after passing checkpoints. I've seen people flashing passing traffic after drink driving checkpoints. If the OP was convicted of said offense, would he have a criminal record?

MAYOMICK

Yes you definitley can be done for flashing your ligths to warn other drivers of a Garda checkpoint.I read a case in the local papers where a woman flashed a private car that happened to by a Garda.The case went to court and she was convicted.I cant remember what penalty she got.

craichoe

Yeh, i'll always ring a mate if i know its on his work route home.

Steve

DonJose wrote: »

If the OP was convicted of said offense, would he have a criminal record?

Don't think so - AFAIK it's a civil offence.

I used to flash people (years ago) but don't any more because of all this.

There are some 'good' drivers who will exceed the posted limit at times and if you're driving along with them - i.e. SAFELY overtaking the same slowmos and making progress then they're easy to recognise.

There are also some total idiots who think they're god and do some really risky and stupid things in order to make progress.
I'd hate to think that I would ever save one of these guys by warning them of a speed-taxpoint.

sportswear

see he asked me if i had flashed my lights to warn other drivers and I said yes.

i did this because:

1. i didn't know if it was an offence

2. I thought if i was upfront and polite and said sorry he would let me off

3. i couldn't think of a plausible explanation in the split second.


i am wondering if it'll count as a criminal offense and will i get a record, and should i get a solicitor seeing as it is a 'conviction'?

Caoimhín

sportswear wrote: »

see he asked me if i had flashed my lights to warn other drivers and I said yes.

i did this because:

1. i didn't know if it was an offence

2. I thought if i was upfront and polite and said sorry he would let me off

3. i couldn't think of a plausible explanation in the split second.


i am wondering if it'll count as a criminal offense and will i get a record, and should i get a solicitor seeing as it is a 'conviction'?

I really think you are over worrying about this. Ive been told twice by a guard that i could "tell it to the judge" (once for driving while using the phone) and nothing ever happened.
At the very least just start panicking when the summons lands.

_feedback_

Victor_M wrote: »

Also hand out the window can be as effictive on smaller roads without the risk of being seen up ahead by the guard hiding in the bush.

I'd prefer to have my two hands to complete the journey home, rather than losing it out the window, warning speeding drivers on a narrow road.

Would never flash to warn of a Garda checkpoint. Would flash for any hazards I had just passed... only during daylight hours though. At night would put on the hazard lights in an attempt to warn oncoming motorists.

blastman

ambro25 wrote: »

Haven't you noticed "late-in-the-month law enforcement" yet? If that's not moneybox policing, I really don't know what the f*ck is! It's so flagrant in Dublin, as to be well beyond a joke: you don't see a Gard for 20-24 days, then suddenly during the last week of the month you can't let out a sneaky one at the lights without being immediately hung, drawn and quartered.

I noticed it last night (unfortunately probably too late) on the stretch of road between the M1 and the airport. That stretch of road with its 60km/h limit is the very definition of shooting fish in a barrel and the fcukers are there so often, you'd think it was the most dangerous stretch of road in the world.

Road safety my ar$e!

Omcd

bennyc wrote: »

IMO Flashing your lights at any time is boll$%. I drive a volvo so lights are always on, A few time when driving I see a car exiting a junction and they have a quick look left and right see my lights on and take that to be a "flash" the few times I saw what was comming next and jammed on the brakes before the car pulls out in front of me.
Sounds mad but this has happened a few times.

Does your Volvo have amber side running lamps ? if so these are probably being confused with indicators.

BnA

I know it's not really the OPs question, but I would genuinely like to know why any of the self proclaimed flashers here do it ?

Why would you warn a complete stranger about a speed trap.

Worse still, why would you warn them of a check point.

FFS.... It's the Gardai not the bloody Gesteppo.

Warning someone of a checkpoint is like saying...

"Listen bud.... I don't know you from Adam, but just in case you are breaking the law in any way, no tax, a couple of bodies in the boot, whatever you're having yourself... there's an aul check point up ahead"

I can understand why someone might warn someone they know. It's not right, but I can understand why someone would do it. And I know it's hypocritical for me to say this, but I've done done it myself.

But to warn a complete stranger who you know nothing about only that they happen to be driving against you is nuts IMO.

Stevie Dakota

I would never warn someone about a checkpoint, but I would warn them about a Garda in a bush with a speed gun on a perfectly safe road.

sportswear

I know it's not really the OPs question, but I would genuinely like to know why any of the self proclaimed flashers here do it ?

Why would you warn a complete stranger about a speed trap.

Worse still, why would you warn them of a check point.

FFS.... It's the Gardai not the bloody Gesteppo.

Warning someone of a checkpoint is like saying...

"Listen bud.... I don't know you from Adam, but just in case you are breaking the law in any way, no tax, a couple of bodies in the boot, whatever you're having yourself... there's an aul check point up ahead"

I can understand why someone might warn someone they know. It's not right, but I can understand why someone would do it. And I know it's hypocritical for me to say this, but I've done done it myself.

But to warn a complete stranger who you know nothing about only that they happen to be driving against you is nuts IMO.

well i won't be doing it again. but i like to be warned so i warn others.

MercMad

Just be aware that claiming you didn't know it was an offence will be like showing a red rag to a bull. It is your duty to ensure you are aware of the laws of the land.

I nvere flash anyone either but possibly if it were not an offence and I spotted someone who seemed to be travelling near the limit I may have warned them, but someone clearly speeding deserves what they get.

Anyway I doubt you will hear anything at all, its not worth their effort, unless they feel that you've spoilt their fun !

NBar

Victor_M wrote: »

Good Jesus - Some times you are better off just posting nothing then making a pr1ck out of yourself.

About the flashing I'm not sure how they would prove it, but I do flash and have been gratefully on the recieving end on the odd flash, it slows you down and prevents you speeding, which is the whole point of the check point excercise isn't it? It's not there to generate revenue surely!

Also hand out the window can be as effictive on smaller roads without the risk of being seen up ahead by the guard hiding in the bush.

What a load of crap "[it slows you down and prevents you speeding, which is the whole point of the check point excercise isn't it?" you should be going at the speed limit for the area you are driving in. Grow up, in this day and age speed kills and thats that, I have witnesses first hand the injuries/death after a car lost control at speed and these are the kind of people that should be getting caught, if you cannot read the road and look ahead as the spots the Guards use are well know in Dublin anyway

lazernuts

..going off on a sort of tangent,, i got caught overtaking on continuous white line on a completely safe road, nevertheless i was pulled over and given a ticket. I didnt have my licence with me at the time, he said to hand it in at the local station within 10 days.. Will they check up on this?

Esel

lazernuts wrote: »

..going off on a sort of tangent,, i got caught overtaking on continuous white line on a completely safe road, nevertheless i was pulled over and given a ticket. I didnt have my licence with me at the time, he said to hand it in at the local station within 10 days.. Will they check up on this?

Yes, definitely. Btw, you have to produce your licence, not 'hand it in'!

Also, where did you get the impression that you can override road markings based on your own opinion?

ambro25

BnA wrote: »

FFS.... It's the Gardai not the bloody Gestapo.

ORLY?

Joke aside, I see it as my civic duty to inform oncoming road users that extra attention should be paid on the forthcoming stretch of road, lest they run over a poor Gard standing in the middle of the road while adjusting the radio or heater knob. The same as I would inform them of cattle/obstructions/hazards (for instance, inordinately tall horses ), or graciously signal to them that I have seen them and they may cross my path when turning right

esel wrote: »

Also, where did you get the impression that you can override road markings based on your own opinion?

Had to LOL! +1 @ esel

astraboy

I would defiantely warn other motorists about a sneaky speed trap on a safe road where the clear goal is revenue or the cop hitting his monthly traget, not road safety. And I can say I would feel no guilt in doing it. If the cops want to actually make a difference in road safety, pull people over driving dangerously, but don't hide behind a bush on a stretch of 60kph dual carriage way, or wait RIGHT at the point where the speed limit drops from 60 to 50 and people will be caught at 55kph while braking to the lower limit.

A proper checkpoint, where tax, insurance, and drink driving is policed I would not flash for. But sneaky policing with nothing to do with road safety, I'll flash away and ruin the Gov's/Cops revenue source and fun no issue.

lazernuts

esel wrote: »

Yes, definitely. Btw, you have to produce your licence, not 'hand it in'!

Also, where did you get the impression that you can override road markings based on your own opinion?

ok,

..because, i was coming off a slow bend onto a straight road going up a hill, i could see clearly for about half mile up that hill, no cars were approaching down that hill on that half mile stretch, only one truck was in front of me, so i used my judgement. Also, the white line ended about ten metres from where i started to overtake. Technically an illegal manoeuvre, but i wouldn't personally classify it as dangerous driving.

What's the differnce between produce/hand it in?? In this context they both mean the same thing to me.

Henry Ford III

I frequently meet friends and relations after passing Garda speedychecks, and flash my lights to say hello

That presumably isn't illegal?

astraboy

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I frequently meet friends and relations after passing Garda speedychecks, and flash my lights to say hello

That presumably isn't illegal?

Not sure these days henry old boy, everything is illegal in this police state we live in, and if its not yet illegal you'll have the Maud Flanders preaching "Won't somebody please think of the children".:D I do like to flash my lights at my friends, family, and casual acqunitences after passing a sneaky speed trap, I'm only saying hello afterall, its more noticable then one finger lifted off the steering wheel.:D

tallaghtoutlaws

bennyc wrote: »

IMO Flashing your lights at any time is boll$%. I drive a volvo so lights are always on, A few time when driving I see a car exiting a junction and they have a quick look left and right see my lights on and take that to be a "flash" the few times I saw what was comming next and jammed on the brakes before the car pulls out in front of me.
Sounds mad but this has happened a few times.

Happened me this morning clown pulled out thinking I flashed him even though I was on top of him.

As for the flashing. Yes handy to know there is a checkpoint but why should it be an issue to anybody if you have done nothing wrong in the first place. I never actually understood why people flash when there is a check point. I understand ok maybe for a cop holding a speed gun as it is telling someone to slow down but in fairness checkpoints are to stop people with No Tax, No Insurance or Drunk Drivers and honestly don't know about you but I would rather these clowns are off the road I pay mine and don't drink and drive so why should folk warn criminals?? Would you warn armed robbers going into a bank if you knew there was 20 armed police in it?

tvr

First off do not say you did not know it was an offense.

Second take this to court (a) because your summons may never arrive (b) the stupid garda probably wont even turn up and (c) they can't proof you did it, without a witness.

Did the Garda in question actually see you do it or have a witness statement proving you did?


Even if he does you can argue you were about to turn right/left , blinded by his fogs, saying hello to a local friend etc. or some bollox like that.


In relation to lazernuts, yes they will check it, it will be on pulse and if you dont produce it, you within 10 days , pulse will automatically flag it and you will be processed for not producing and another summons will be issued.

MercMad

Slightly OT but a good few years ago I was done for "excessive use of my warning device".

In court I told the truth which was that whilst driving through Skerries my friend saw his sister and HE pressed the horn continuously for about 5 seconds.

Case dismissed !

Anyway could someone flashing their lights be done for the same offence !

daisyplant

Was flashed by an oncoming car today in Chapilizod and duly flashed the next car I met on the other side!

mickdw

esel wrote: »

Also, where did you get the impression that you can override road markings based on your own opinion?

Road markings are a joke. Single line road centre markings make no sense. At the start and end of every straight section, we should have double lines allowing overtaking in the direction approaching the straight and no overtaking in the direction leaving the straight. This doesnt happen for some reason and so perfectly safe overtaking opportunities are either missed or carried out illegally.

blastman

NBar wrote: »

What a load of crap "[it slows you down and prevents you speeding, which is the whole point of the check point excercise isn't it?" you should be going at the speed limit for the area you are driving in. Grow up, in this day and age speed kills and thats that, I have witnesses first hand the injuries/death after a car lost control at speed and these are the kind of people that should be getting caught, if you cannot read the road and look ahead as the spots the Guards use are well know in Dublin anyway

Y'see, straightaway the bit after the text in bold tells me that you just another blanket anti-speed ranting troll talking through an orifice not normally reserved for that function, with nothing useful to bring to this discussion. But then I would know this because you have previous form, too. I'd stick to the Daily Mail forums if I was you.

(This a public service post and the end of my response to you, since I know you're only trolling for an argument.)

Alun

mickdw wrote: »

Road markings are a joke. Single line road centre markings make no sense. At the start and end of every straight section, we should have double lines allowing overtaking in the direction approaching the straight and no overtaking in the direction leaving the straight. This doesn't happen for some reason and so perfectly safe overtaking opportunities are either missed or carried out illegally.

QFT

Probably just scrimping on the cost of the paint.

Rainbow78

I got a summons, €80 fine and two penalty points for this almost three years ago.

Steve

mickdw wrote: »

Road markings are a joke. Single line road centre markings make no sense. At the start and end of every straight section, we should have double lines allowing overtaking in the direction approaching the straight and no overtaking in the direction leaving the straight. This doesnt happen for some reason and so perfectly safe overtaking opportunities are either missed or carried out illegally.

+1

It also gets me when there perfectly good straight sections with 'no overtaking' signs and a white line down the middle.

Good example is the N4 between Kilcock and Enfield. They also lowered the limit as soon as the (tolled) bypass was opened.