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?

I hate it when other drivers flash their lights at me as it's not clear why they are flashing. I then worry something is wrong with my car. But then I tend to stick to speed limits and can observe for myself if there is a mobile camera ahead so seems unnecessary.

Always. If they are speeding and it slows them down before they cause an accident then Im fine with that.

No. I only flash if there is something they need to be especially alert about e.g. a horse and rider or a flood ahead.

Well sadly it is NOT dramatic. Professionally I worked with the victims of drivers who speed. Picked up the pieces of people's destroyed lives.

Speed limits are there for a reason - they are there to slow down traffic in areas where there are likely to be pedestrians, and therefore to save lives. Or in areas where there is bad accident record, or hidden hazards.

It is time we all recognised that speeding offences are not minor things - they are fundamental. How would you feel if a speeding driver in a 30 limit mowed down your child? - there's a bit of "drama" for you.

But leaves them unpunished to do it again .... and again .....

If I flashed anyone, the state I’m in, they’d have a heart attack at the wheel!

But it benefits everyone if they slow down like where we are it’s a very tight road with pets and small children so they need to slow down to 20mph not get caught as you wish 🫪 so I always give them a little hand signal that it’s 20 🤷🏽‍♀️ and point to the sign 🤷🏽‍♀️

Yup. Always flash as a warning. Also flash when there's an obstruction or other danger (horse, pedestrians etc) that oncoming traffic would not be aware of. Didn't realise so many people don't understand such very basic motoring courtesy, and it caused them themselves to become distracted, worried and not pay attention to the road ahead though. May rethink.

Busy what exactly?

No

Yes I flash

It still might make them think twice in future. But as I say im more comfortable with them slowing down before they cause an accident than them cracking on and potentially smashing in to someone.

Same here. I always think there is something wrong if I get flashed!

But its not a clear signal is it as you pointed out it can mean a multitude of things. There are warnings before mobile speed cameras which people would clearly see if they are, as they should be paying attention.

It means one thing - danger ahead - slow down.

Ive never seen a warning sign before a mobile speed camera.

Nope. If they get caught more fool them for speeding. That is the whole point of the camera is it not?

No I don't flash. If you're caught speeding then I think you take your oil as I have done when I've been caught out before.

I flash if there's a hazard on the road they need to know about to avoid an accident.

According to the highway code, people should only flash their lights to let another road user know they are there, not as a warning sign for a hazard. A speed camera is also not a danger.

Really? I see them. They are a road sign with a picture of a soeed camera on. Similar to the fixed camera signs.

So if someone flashes you out at a busy junction, you don't move your car because that courtesy action is not in the highway code? Ok sure.

I’d wager that points on their licence and mandatory attendance at a speed awareness course would be far more likely to make them think twice.

That's what you use your hazard warning lights for.

No of course I don’t warn people about speed traps!

I want people to not speed. I want people who do speed to get caught and be punished, so they are less likely to do it again.

As a society we pay taxes to fund public services, including paying for police officers to identify and penalise people who are endangering others by speeding. Warning people about the speed trap would be a very antisocial act.

I like another posters analogy - would you warn a burglar who was about to get caught?

Genuinely not seen any, not because I didnt notice either, they just werent there.

Quite nice of some police forces to put a warning up though, must defeat the object if they want to catch the speeders!