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?

Yea possibly, id rather stop them speeding in the first place though in case they were to go on and cause an accident.

Well in any case surely you can see the van or notice other cars slowing down in front of you unless you are going very fast. I guess it then comes down to making sure you stick to the speed limits then.

Given that there aren’t speed cameras on every inch of the road network, the probability of them only causing an accident on a stretch that does has speed cameras is pretty low. If they are speeding on a road with cameras they are probably speeding in general. Better they are caught, penalized and hopefully then deterred rather than them being emboldened because someone has warned them and therefore allowed them to get away with it.

I dont speed (well occasionally I might be at 32 in a 30 🤣).

Roads i see them on are fairly quiet. One fave hiding spot for one of the vans is behind a massive bush on both sides of the van so you dont see it until youre on top of it on either side.

It's strange to me how many people on this post have never heard of/wouldn't understand this. It's always been fairly common practise I thought. I flash people - the whole idea is to get people to slow down. Which they do. Whenever there is a speed trap near me (often), lots of people flash.

Presumably the police would have stopped them because the speeding would have showed up on the camera - so they will have been prevented from causing an accident in this occasion and hopefully on more after being fined.

So win/win - accident prevented and culprit fined so less likely to offend in future.

If the point of the camera is to get people to slow down, and flashing slows them down, that’s a good thing surely?

Im not personally someone who flashes but I appreciate the efforts of those who take this view.

I don’t because they shouldn’t be speeding anyway. If I did they might slow that time but not the next day or the day after. Drive within the speed limit and you won’t need someone to alert you.

DH does flash people and it annoys me.

Yes, always.

We are frequently told that speed traps are not revenue generators, they are there to persuade people to slow down. So if flashing my lights a couple of times persuades people to slow down a bit earlier, I've achieved the same outcome and avoided someone having their day ruined.

The purpose of the camera is to catch them and give a big enough deterrent for them not to do it again.

If the purpose was just to get them to slow down on that particular stretch of that individual journey, then they would instead just use one of those signs that shows your speed and a happy or sad face.

No, the cameras are usually there because it is a dodgy spot and the speeders are making life dangerous for the villagers. If they get a ticket the may think twice about speeding in that spot, someone flashing them won't deter them in the future I don't think. Plus I always assumed it was illegal to flash.

FIL once flashed his lights at an undercover cop car. Got a nice big fine. Never did it again.

Warning other people who are speeding isn't worth me getting a fine! If I get done by a flash for cash, it's my own fault.

No. Speeding costs lives.

I believe it’s still common practice for drivers to flash to alert oncoming cars of a speed trap. I’ve been driving 50 odd years and it’s always been noticeable. I drove a long journey yesterday and cars flashed me twice. Both times there was a speed detection van a few hundred yards ahead. By the way, I wasn’t speeding 😇

The difference from years ago is it’s now an offence to flash other drivers to alert them to a speed trap. So, it could mean the flasher being penalised while the speeder drives on unpunished.

I am astounded at the number of drivers who would have no idea why multiple people would be flashing them. That it wouldn't even occur to them that it might be a warning of some kind.

THINK! Use your bloody brains. Jesus.

Yes, I always flash. I am a dirty speeder myself.

The range on some of the cameras - where the police are - is pretty impressive. And where they park up means its not always going to be easy to chase after them (also unsafe).

Genuinely have thought about the views, but ill probably carry on. Im still of the view that id rather someone slow down if they're speeding than potentially cause an accident.

This! It’s very nice but I would have no clue what you’d mean (although now I do).

I’d still mind my own business and leave everyone to their own responsibilities.

Yes I flash to warn others of speed cameras, and klick ‘yes’ on Google maps if it asks if a camera is still there.

Yes, you are flashing for so many random different reasons, I wouldn't expect any of the things you've given as examples because someone flashed their lights at me.

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

Well I hope your 'good deed' bites you in the ass one day if the police catch you.

Let them get their ticket. No one should be speeding.

But for people who don’t speed it just causes confusion. I don’t have to worry about speed cameras as I don’t speed. I think it’s a warning, just not about speeding, so it causes unnecessary worry.

Never. Nor would I do something similar like alert shoplifters that a security guard is coming.

I hate when people flash at me. I always assume there’s some issue with my car, or that there is an actual hazard coming up.

As I said and you repeated 'a warning of some kind'. Doesn't have to be speed cameras. Could be a massive pileup round the corner. It just prompts you to be extra cautious. It's a basic courtesy from other drivers as a PP said. I am so shocked so many are ignorant of this.

I log them on Waze

Absolutely not. Hope they get done.