• Flashing headlights to other motorists is ruled by a Florida Judge to be free speech

                    
      		   
      Published on 05-25-2012 10:15 PM
      1 Comment Comments
      Well, a victory for liberty. Seems these have been hard to come by in the recent climate but the First Amendment to the Constitution prevails. Long story short, a man in Florida was ticketed for flashing his headlights to alert other motorists of a speed trap. In Europe, this practice is practically mandatory likely because it helps control and slow traffic down instead of simply being for generating revenue.

      Well, a Seminole County, Florida deputy ticketed the man (seems someone got upset their fishing net got a hole poked in it) under a statute that was designed to prevent civilians from using emergency lights. A stretch of a law to prevent civilians from using lights that resemble sirens? No doubt, but the officer used the letter not the spirit of the law against the person who was helping, not hurting, their fellow motorists.

      Thankfully a Judge in Florida did the right thing and saw flashing lights to convey information to motorists as free speech. Communication between motorists, even be it the flashing of lights, is protected as free speech. The man who was ticketed, Ryan Kinter, still has a Stop sign ticket he is fighting with Seminole County but on behalf of all automotive enthusiasts we salute him for not allowing a Police officer to trample his, and all of our, First Amendment rights.




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      This article was originally published in forum thread: Flashing headlights to other motorists is ruled by a Florida Judge to be free speech started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 13 Comments
      1. LZH's Avatar
        LZH - 05-27-2012, 08:53 PM
        this is great to hear. $#@!ing cops think they can get away with anything.
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 05-27-2012, 08:59 PM
        When i was 17, we were pulled over for flashing our lights at oncoming traffic alerting them to the hidden car. Gret news that some judges still have common sense and a real understanding of letter vs intent
      1. sr20seb's Avatar
        sr20seb - 05-27-2012, 09:12 PM
        Nobody in the USA knows what "flashing your high beams means" I was also quite confused when I noticed that they don't flash the high beam but turn the lights on and off......weird. Weird Americans.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 06-01-2012, 05:43 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by LostMarine Click here to enlarge
        When i was 17, we were pulled over for flashing our lights at oncoming traffic alerting them to the hidden car. Gret news that some judges still have common sense and a real understanding of letter vs intent
        It's really lame how our police seem to be more about trying to get you in trouble than help you avoid it.
      1. Sledgehammer's Avatar
        Sledgehammer - 06-02-2012, 09:30 AM
        I flash when I see them sitting somewhere really good... Or on local streets and they are around blind corners. Legally the could get you for interferring with an investigation but thats a long shot
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-02-2012, 11:09 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sledgehammer Click here to enlarge
        I flash when I see them sitting somewhere really good... Or on local streets and they are around blind corners. Legally the could get you for interferring with an investigation but thats a long shot
        yea, i dont think that would hold up well Click here to enlarge
      1. Sledgehammer's Avatar
        Sledgehammer - 06-02-2012, 07:18 PM
        Nah it shouldnt... I have seen it done when for instance its undercovers and the person flashing is alerting the suspects. Thats holds up damn well LOL
      1. maui86's Avatar
        maui86 - 06-02-2012, 07:59 PM
        That's exactly what they told me when I got pulled over. He said he could site me for interfering with an investigation since he's in an unmarked cruiser.

        I asked, what investigation? He said, "We are in the middle of it and can't give any information" he let me go on a warning. Saw him a week later and He said, "we've been getting complaints of several cars wrecklessly speeding and racing on highway. the descriptions of the vehicles were consistent and an investigation to catch them in the act was launched." haha. So that's probably what they will use to hold such citations.
      1. LostMarine's Avatar
        LostMarine - 06-02-2012, 08:11 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sledgehammer Click here to enlarge
        Nah it shouldnt... I have seen it done when for instance its undercovers and the person flashing is alerting the suspects. Thats holds up damn well LOL
        well, yea, in that situation. but a specific speed trap i would think couldnt get, if the person actually tried to fight it that is
      1. DavidV's Avatar
        DavidV - 06-04-2012, 05:52 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        In Europe, this practice is practically mandatory
        This is nonsense.
        In the Netherlands you would get a fine of I believe 80 Euros for signing to fellow motorists as a warning for an oncoming speed trap, if caught.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 06-04-2012, 09:53 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by DavidV Click here to enlarge
        This is nonsense.
        In the Netherlands you would get a fine of I believe 80 Euros for signing to fellow motorists as a warning for an oncoming speed trap, if caught.
        That's kind of stupid as in any country I have been it is regular practice.
      1. DavidV's Avatar
        DavidV - 06-04-2012, 10:12 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        That's kind of stupid as in any country I have been it is regular practice.
        Well, here the fines are ridiculously high, and they will give you one if they catch you signing to fellow drivers.
        I agree it is stupid, but what can you do?
        This is a country where they make 10 lane freeways to replace 4 way freeways, and lower the maximum speed on that stretch of freeway to 100 km/h, and inforce traject control for over 30 km! It instantly has become the most boring stretch of asfalt in man's existance.
        But traject control here makes the most money for the governement, so there you go.
      1. mramg1's Avatar
        mramg1 - 06-04-2012, 10:15 AM
        Back in my college days, I had a professor give me the best argument to use on an officer if you get pulled over for trying to warn fellow motorists.

        Anyway tell him or her that you are alerting your fellow motorists that they are being exposed to non-ionizing radiation, aka radar. According to the William Steiner act of 1969, aka OSHA, you have a right to be informed whenever you are being exposed unnecessarily.

        And yeah, I actually used it once. The cop was pissed off, but had no idea what I was talking about, so he let me off with a warning and a few stupid comments about what he would do if he catches me again, LOL