writein, I know that seems logical to you, but in the eyes of law enforcement, unfortunately, that just won't fly. Flashing lights in a vehicle does not fall under the umbrella of the first amendment, although I do see your point.

Sugar.

If I am “warning” passing motorists by blinking my head lights, then wouldn’t that mean I am commutating with the other car? By commutating, does that means I am speaking?

I do not flash my lights. Reason, Why would I want to eliminate the possibility of them going the other way!

Speed traps are just that. A significant speed limit drop within a few miles and cops sitting there waiting for anyone going over the limit 1 MPH...I would say that is low.

I was stopped in Refugio for going what I thought was the speed limit. I could clearly see the sign ahead 65 MPH, however, I had not crossed the point where the sign was so I received a warning. Makes you wonder...

Interesting, I can't see what it has to do with the first amendment but the fourth amendment and the 14th amendment might apply.

Back in the days of CB radios, I used to flash my lights with intent of warning those approaching a police checkpoint. I wasn't a speeder per say but those small MPH signs have shown me going over the speed limit by 3 or 4 MPH. I always like to know what's ahead ,whether it's a auto accident or a police officer on the side of the road using radar.

I don't flash my lights anymore, I use cruise control, don't speed, but when I see lights flashing from cars coming in the opposite direction, I usually check my speedometer because sometimes I forget to reset the cruise control after I stop somewhere. I don't want to be stopped for any reason.

writein - how exactly does "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances" relate to obstruction of justice and the subject at hand? Nowhere in the first amendment do I see freedom from a motorist being stopped, and given a ticket, if he or she is found to be breaking the law, nor is that in anyway implied.

I would like to remind you of the tenth amendment, though: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Sugar.

There is a fine line between obstruction of justice and the first amendment.

I ask my husband why he flashes his lights. The golden rule. We all need a little help from time to time.

Another good reason for me not wanting to go to Florida

Flash everybody cop or no cop so they slow down!

There may not be a law against flashing one's lights, but there is something called "obstruction of justice" and I do believe flashing your lights at another driver to warn of nearby law enforcement would fall under this definition. Now, how the law would be able to prove the intention of your flashing lights is anybody's guess (to warn motorists of LE as opposed to, say, let a trucker know he has cleared a vehicle).

I would recommend anybody who does this or is thinking of doing so to reconsider. If somebody is breaking the law, then they should be held responsible for their actions. In other words, they're on their own. I disagree with it being labeled a "courtesy" from one driver to another. It is, for all intents and purposes, used to help somebody circumvent the law.

These "speed traps" as you call them are set up for a reason, and that is to hold accountable those who would break the law. Also, the pure presence of a law enforcement vehicle serves as a reminder to always be conscious of safety first by making people look at their speedometer and watch their speed.

I do not flash my light's for a head's up about law enforcement either, because most people(NOT ALL) that are speeding are reckless driver's anyway and deserve a ticket. If these kind of driver's got the ticket's they deserve, the road's/hwy's would be just a little bit safer place with a lot less roadrage.

I agree with tinstar. After all, this IS south texas. Its not like we have drug runners driving up and down the highway. Might as well help the cartels move inventory, right? Amber alerts, kidnappers, felons, hey everybody deserves to be warned of a ticket potential.

It amazes me how people have "no idea" of whats running down the road. But yet these are the same people that will gripe about drugs and crime, and how enough isnt being done.

I'll flash to help a truck pass or when I stop short so a truck can swing for a turn. I don't for a heads up about police. I figure if you are going to speed, you assume the risk. Back when I know someone ticketed for flashing their lights. Ticket was written for something like using highbeams to close to another car. Just to be safe I don't flash highbeams, just turn my lights on and off. Less blinding at night too.

I think its a good idea to warn other drivers were the cops are. It works best when there is an Amber Alert issued for a missing child. Its always helpful to the let the bad guys know where the popo are.

I was driving through La Ward early this year in the dark. Car flashed lights at me from the opposite direction which was then shortly followed by the flashing lights of a hidden police cruiser. Poor guy got pulled over.