Do you flash other drivers to warn about mobile speed cameras?

[MattDillonsEyebrows]

As I was driving to work this morning, in one of the villages there was a mobile speed van. Some drivers flashed (quite vigorously in some cases) to let me know it was there, others didn’t and I just wondered if you flash to let others know there’s a mobile speed camera?

I generally don’t speed so I don’t think it would have mattered to me, but it did make me check my speed, make sure I was driving under, rather than on the speed limit and possibly drive more carefully than normal.

For what it’s worth, I always do flash other cars to warn them and I see it as a good deed, but it got me thinking about why some people don’t.

Is it that they just don’t think about it? Do they think flashing is dangerous (it is mumsnet! 😂)? Do they think if someone is speeding it’s on them to not speed?

Am I actually helping criminals and not doing the good deed I think I am?

Just generally wondering, I don’t think there’s a right or wrong…. is there?

Yes, i flash.

Never - absolutely never. If they are caught and are fined or have to go on a speed awareness course a life might be saved. Let them reap what they sow.

Yeah I do. There's a common spot where I live where the mobile van sits so the locals all tend to flash each other or put a post up on the local pages. It's illegal to post about speed cameras so the posts usually say 'free pictures of your car on X road' 😂

I wouldn't realise what you were flashing for and would worry there was something up with my car I wasn't aware of, like the boot had come open or something.

If someone flashes me, my thought process goes:
Oh shit, do I know them? Should I have waved?
There’s probably a deer or other hazard round the bend.
Are my lights too bright? Is there something wrong with my car?

I never think it’s about a speed camera!

But to answer your question - no I don’t.

I saw this recently and some drivers were flapping their arm out the car window and I assume indicating to slow down. Some were flashing.

I don't flash others. I grew up abroad and learnt to drive there and flashing is illegal there- I assumed it was the same in the UK 🤔

Why would you want to endorse the idea of speeding? It might be your child they run over while speeding, which is not a victimless crime.

Why are road traffic violations not seen as true crime?
Would you cover up for a shoplifter for instance?

I worked for a brain injury service - RTAs caused by speeding were our bread and butter - and pretty indigestible it was too.

No, I've never actually heard of this and I wouldn't know what they were flashing for

Absolutely this. There used to occasionally be a speed camera round the corner from our house and I very much hope it caught the idiots who habitually sped round a blind bend just before our house. Served them right for being hopelessly inconsiderate drivers.

If someone flashed their lights at me, I'd assume there was something wrong with my car. It wouldn't occur to me (until now) that it's a warning about a mobile speed van. If I ever see a speed van, there's no chance I'd ever warn other drivers about it. I mean, why on earth would I?

And yes, OP, since you ask, you are deliberately helping criminals who are putting lives at risk. Not something to be proud of.

No. I thought it was illegal to warn people now too?

No. Some cunt did that to me, and I was so distracted thinking there was an issue with my car I missed that I'd entered the 30mph zone and got a fucking speeding ticket.

No. It is illegal to do it.

It's ok to flash people to warn them of your presence but not to convey a warning for any other reason. That said I will flash people in the dark with no lights on, but most still seem to remain oblivious these days.

Same. Or I'd think I've done something wrong.

I have been known to flash but for the most, no I don’t. No idea why this is, I guess sometimes I’m feeling more benevolent than others. I have been caught by a speed camera, getting my ds to football when we were late. I only have myself to blame and took my punishment.

i usually think people should just take their punishment. If they are caught only once then they’re not too put out or negatively affected by the fine or speed awareness course, if they’re caught more than once then I figure they probably deserve what they get and so I leave them to it.

It is.

I wonder if the thread had been titled "Do you break the law to warn other drivers of mobile speed traps" it would have the same response ?

Yes I do to warn them there may be a hazard ahead (someone stamping on their brakes).

I tend to wait until there is a big line of cars ahead that will see me though, not flash like a maniac at every single car.

I always tend to flash trucks as well as I feel a bit sorry for professionals who operate under this cosh. I nearly always get a "thanks" acknowledgement from these.

No, I don't flash other drivers to warn them about speed cameras. If they aren't speeding they haven't got anything to worry about, and if they are - well serves them right for breaking the law.

I do flash other drivers to warn them of genuine hazards though, such as accidents ahead, fallen trees or animals in the road.

Sorry, I was just referring to flashing to alert of a speed camera.

I too would flash someone if they had no headlights on at night, left their high beams on, to let a lorry some into my lane etc.

If you get caught doing it, you’ll likely get a fine also. People shouldn’t be speeding, and slowing down just for the camera still makes speeding dangerous! Let them get a ticket.

Flashing normally means something wrong and I'd be looking for something wrong and probably get me worried, a speed camera is the last thing I'd look for. If people stopped speeding, we'd not need the bloomin things!

Never. And if Google maps asks "is this still here?" re mobile cameras I click no, even if it is. If you drive properly you've got nowt to worry about.

I drive in the new forest to work and i do flash to warn others approaching if i have passed animals in the road, particularly if they are behind a bend