Posted on 02/06/2014 9:00:02 AM PST by fungoking
Headlight flashing OK, Missouri judge says ST. LOUIS (AP) — It's a common practice among drivers who pass through a speed trap: Flash your headlights at approaching cars as a warning to slow down. Now, a federal court judge in Missouri says penalizing drivers for the headlight flash violates their First Amendment right to free speech. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey in St. Louis on Monday issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the St. Louis County town of Ellisville from citing and prosecuting drivers who flash their lights to warn of radar and speed traps. Ellisville's city attorney said there are no plans to appeal. ...Elli flashed his headlights to warn oncoming vehicles of a radar set up by Ellisville police. An officer saw the flash and pulled Elli over, citing him for a city ordinance violation, though a similar statute exists in Missouri law. Elli was told he would likely face a fine of up to $1,000 if convicted. The case was eventually dropped. Ellisville City Attorney George Restovich said the city changed the policy and no longer pulls over people for flashing headlights. Ellisville continued to fight the suit. At a hearing last year, Ellisville officials made the case that flashing headlights could interfere with a police investigation. But Autrey said in his ruling that the flashing of headlights was essentially a good thing, sending "a message to bring one's driving in conformity with the law — whether it be by slowing down, turning on one's own headlamps at dusk or in the rain, or proceeding with caution." Jonathan Turley said courts across the country are dealing with the same issue. In virtually every case except those still being decided, the person cited has prevailed, Turley said. p>
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
They not teach PARAGRAPHS where you come from?
Flashing may mean many things. It may be a reminder to turn on your lights. Or to dim your lights. Or a herd of deer is on the road.
Good for the judge.
In fairness, I think FR is the only website left on the Internet where you have to code manually paragraphs in HTML.
I live in Ohio and warn drivers by flashing my lights.
I appreciate it when other drivers give me the same warning.
There are too many State Troopers in this state, IMO.
As in, “Show your t*ts?”
My daughter jumped on me for flashing my lights at a nerd who had his headlights off—she said it was a gang signal
He has a paragraph.
Excellent point.
That comes from some urban legend.
Arresting people for flashing headlights? Fascism. If I accidentally hit the lever and the headlights flash - that’s a crime? bull$h!t.
I never flash headlights to warn other drivers about speed traps. They have to obey the law just like me. But doing it is not a crime.
Almost hit a deer one night -
driving at dusk, my wife says “Dear!”.
I said “what?”
She said “Dear!”.
I said “yeah, what?!”
DEER! RIGHT THERE!
Now we say “moose!”
“.. you have to code manually ..”
Actually, you don’t.
If there are no other html tags present, simple click/s of your Enter key = line break/s.
This is an example.
I’d normally italianize your quote, but left that out for illustrative purposes.
No tags here, but formatted nonetheless.
Where I live we have police jurisdiction upon police jurisdiction. Village police, town police, sheriff, state police...each with a full contingent of officers. You cannot drive a mile without seeing at least one, and usually several police officers. Now, I know we need police to stop crime, maintain safety, but it seems as if there primary role is revenue enhancement. Look, the police union asks for a raise, the town says there is no money, the police union strokes its chin and says, if its money you need.....
Anyway, you get a speeding ticket, you go to court, they tell you pay the fine now and you can plea down to a lesser offense (like a parking ticket), but if you fight it you will lose and you will pay a higher fine plus get points on your license. Its a money making operation, plain and simple. Headlight flashing cuts into profits.
“Flashing may mean many things...”
You forgot raincoats.
They actually made it a law that you can't flash your lights to warn of a speed trap? And they call this a free country!
How can they prove you did it (as they would have to do in court) when you can always claim that you accidentally hit the lever and weren't flashing anyone?
Too many liberals/do-gooder/nanny-state'ers taking over the government.
How in the world are they, the police, going to prove WHY they were flashing their lights.
The cops only assume that is was because of a speed trap. I suppose that their version of why is more to be trusted that the person he ticketed.
I’ve been flashing my lights for 40 years.. my father and grandfather did it before. It’s an AMERICAN TRADITION!
I’m glad to see the courts agree.
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