Highway flashers pay the price
2012-06-15 06:55
A MISUSE OF HEADLIGHTS?: Driver’s will argue that they’re flashing headlights to warn speedsters while cops say that it only encourages bad road habits. Are the SAPS worried that funds could be taken from their coffers or are headlight flasher
UK drivers will have to think twice about warning other road users of potential speed traps as authorities clamp down on flashing headlights.
It’s certainly an offence in South Africa; in fact some years ago there was a blitz in Johannesburg against such neighbourly behaviour.
According to the London Daily Mail, in an anti-speeding campaign, Lancashire police handed out 20 tickets for “misuse of headlights”.
LEGAL AND MORAL MINEFIELD
Lancashire traffic officer Antony Gray, said: “Potentially they are putting lives at risk. Flashing your lights at someone may make them slow down for a second but it will not make them change their habits. Speeding motorists need to be spoken to so they will seriously consider their irresponsible driving.”
Critics, the Mail reports, say it's just another a money-making scheme and that handing out a R400 fine "creates a legal and moral minefield".
The Automobile Association condemned the practice and warned that drivers might be reluctant to warn others of dangerous faults on their vehicles.
An AA spokesman said: "I think it's a legal and moral minefield. A lot of people will have a lot of different views on this and what is social behaviour and anti-social behaviour.
“It is very difficult. If someone is shoplifting and someone else tells them a store detective is about, is that aiding and abetting or stopping them stealing?"
What do you think of the law against flashing headlights in SA? Is it a crime to warn somebody that they're committing a crime? Share your thoughts in our Readers' Comments section below!
