Police to stop citing drivers who flash lights

Bella · 11-05-2003, 10:58 PM

FRANKLIN — Police Chief Jackie Moore said Franklin officers should discontinue the practice of issuing citations to people who flash their headlights to warn other motorists about a speed trap.

Moore's decision came yesterday shortly after a Williamson County judge dismissed the city of Franklin's case against a man who flashed a warning and was charged and found guilty of interfering with a police officer's performance of duty. He appealed.

Judge Russ Heldman dismissed the city's ruling that Harlie ''Bill'' Walker, 75, violated a Franklin ordinance Aug. 14, when he flashed his lights at oncoming traffic to let drivers know there was a police car ahead.

''It's my constitutional right to blink my lights, and the city of Franklin overturned that right,'' Walker said. ''I'm overjoyed this (hearing) ended in my favor.''

Joe Baugh, Walker's attorney, argued that by flashing his lights, Walker assisted in slowing down oncoming traffic.

''People should be free to express that kind of communication,'' Baugh said. ''Police have to err on the side of letting citizens communicate.''

Walker had been pulled over by Officer Chris Marlow, who testified at yesterday's appeal hearing that he also issued the same citation to four others for the same action and that other Franklin police officers also issued such citations. The ordinance that Walker was accused of violating prohibits anyone from knowingly interfering with a police officer performing or attempting to perform his duties.

''Where we stand is in support of the court's decision on this,'' Moore said.

''Any law we have on the books, the manner in which is it enforced is subject to review by the court of appeals. I have no problem whatsoever with that system and support it 100%.

http://www.tennessean.com/local/arch...nt_ID=41877517

Miss Anthrope · 11-05-2003, 11:08 PM

I know...I'm a dork. But it always makes me so happy when people flash their lights for one another. It's like all the people coming together to damn the man.

Crymson Wolfe · 11-06-2003, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaYmer

I don't know. I fucking hate it when people behind me flash their headlights. I just push the rearview mirror over so I don't have to see them anymore.

Flashing headlights at on coming traffic and flashing them at the person in front of you mean two totally different things.

I certainly don't see anything wrong with the former.. the latter is just being plain bitchy-ass rude unless it's an emergancy or you're trying to get the drivers attention because they're driving around on a flat or with something hanging off their car. However, if you're in some place like Florida where the majority of the population drives 10-15 under the speed limit in the fast lane.. the flashing of headlights is pretty common.

jcldragon · 11-06-2003, 02:38 AM

He got oncoming traffic to slow down, thereby making the road a safer place to drive. How does that interfere with police business? UNLESS, police business is collecting money from tickets, rather than public safety...

T.C. · 11-06-2003, 02:48 AM

a quota so to speak, and a few years back there was a department at the h.p.d. that got in deep shit because they had a quota system.

one of the small towns i used to live in has a quota system. surprised they haven't got shit for it yet. but i guess since it's a small town, no-one gives a shit.

Spacegrrrl · 11-06-2003, 07:30 AM

Isn't a speed trap considered "entrapment", anyway?

I always flash my lights at people...especially if there are deer in the road further up ahead.

Bella · 11-06-2003, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thursday's child

a quota so to speak, and a few years back there was a department at the h.p.d. that got in deep shit because they had a quota system.

one of the small towns i used to live in has a quota system. surprised they haven't got shit for it yet. but i guess since it's a small town, no-one gives a shit.

you said "shit" three times in that post!!!

Paul · 11-06-2003, 08:01 AM

Damnit he was spoiling the policeman's fun! Of course he should get pulled over and fined!

**tully** · 11-06-2003, 08:56 AM

I've never seen people warn of a speed trap from the oncoming traffic side, but I do tap my breaks when a patrol car is waiting ahead of me.

grumpydawn · 11-06-2003, 09:59 AM

I'm with jcldragon. He prevented the driver from reckless or careless driving, and isn't that the ultimate goal?

Methodical · 11-06-2003, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcldragon

He got oncoming traffic to slow down, thereby making the road a safer place to drive. How does that interfere with police business? UNLESS, police business is collecting money from tickets, rather than public safety...

Sadly your right. Many police departments dont have quotas, but measure on-the-street effectiveness by citations and tickets. City councils also sway this sort of thing, fines add up bigtime. I hear commercial trucks can be fined tens of thousands of dollars for being late on inspections, (trivially) improperly calibrated brakes, tags. Of course, commercial trucks can cause a lot more mayhem than your average joe.

Speed traps are illegal in some states. Many states have laws dictating that the cops who saw the violation also has to be the one to write the ticket.

TheSkeptic · 11-06-2003, 10:31 AM

Ya'll should come back to me when you've experienced the world of speed cameras!

Matt

Miss Anthrope · 11-06-2003, 11:06 AM

We have tons of cameras in Atlanta. At toll booths to make sure you pay, stop lights and all over the interstates. Still haven't gotten caught *more wood knocking*

TheSkeptic · 11-06-2003, 11:08 AM

speed cameras?

jcldragon · 11-06-2003, 11:43 AM

They place cameras at certain interesections that photograph cars that enter the intersection during a yellow or red light, and then send you a ticket. These machines are not calibrated properly, so to avoid a ticket, you have to stop at yellow. Then when you get rear-ended for stopping on a yellow light, you sue the guy behind you.