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Drivers Who Flash Their Headlights To Warn Motorists Of Speed Cameras Could Face A £1,000 Fine

Drivers Who Flash Their Headlights To Warn Motorists Of Speed Cameras Could Face A £1,000 Fine

It is an offence to 'obstruct' a police officer carrying out speeding checks on other motorists

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

Although many drivers flash their headlights to 'warn' other motorists of things lying ahead - such as obstructions, speed cameras or police - it could actually land you with a fine.

Although the seemingly harmless act is somewhat of an unwritten courtesy among motorists, headlight flashing could set you back up to £1,000 .

Drivers are told that they should to use their headlights 'only to let other road users know that you are there' and not to attempt 'to convey any other message' as part of the Highway Code.

According to the Department of Transport, this means flashing your headlights to warn of a speed camera or roadside police speed check is in breach of rules 110 and 111 of the Code.

PA

Such an act would be a breach of section 89 of the Police Act 1997, which dictates it is an offence to 'wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty'.

Police could charge anyone who appears to be getting in the way of conducting speed checks on other motorists.

The offence is punishable with a fine of up to £1,000 or a maximum of one month's imprisonment.

Laura Newton, motoring law expert at Rothera Sharp, told The Sun: "I've certainly seen several notable cases of this type recently and drivers should be paying particular attention to those cases that have been challenged in the High Court.

"The Court made it clear that it will be only classed as an offence if the prosecution can actually prove that those being warned were speeding or were likely to be speeding.

PA

"But I think people need to realise just how serious this can be treated in terms of the maximum penalty though.

"The headlight warning flash has become commonplace in driving but motorists need to think twice and consider the consequences. Is it really worth the risk?"

People have been taken to court for the offense. In 2011, one man was convicted of 'wilfully obstructing a policewoman in the execution of her duty' following an occasion where he had flashed his headlights to warn driver of a speed trap.

He was given a £175 fine and ordered to pay £250 in court fees, on top of a £15 victims' surcharge.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: uk news