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?

It's more ignorant to be breaking the speed limit.

How many posts have we seen on MN that start "I already have 9 points on my licence ...." ?

No I definitely do not, I abhor speeding after feeling the consquences of the devastation it can cause in my immediate family a decade ago.

Speed and face the consequences so that another family like mine doesn't have to.

I admit I've never really understood why speed cameras and speed vans are always in high-vis yellow with warning signs.

Why don't we have hidden speed cameras?

Yes a visible speed camera is a deterrent, but only for a short section of motorway.

A much better deterrent is racking up points and getting your licence removed.

@FinchiePink , they're not. BBC NEWS | Wales | Police use anti-speeding horsebox (it's an old article but it caught a lot of speeding motorists.)

In a town near me there was an unmarked one and it was where you would pick up speed if you'd not been warned about it.

Thank you. I know that article is 18 years old but interesting that they did do it at some point.

I still say a wider network of hidden speed cameras would be extremely useful nowadays!

Good god what a bunch of miseries.

A busy. That is really it. It's a saying. It's short for busy body.

Aren't they just!

I don't flash, but I confirm it's there on Google Maps.

You’d probably feel the same if you had ever had kneel at the side of the road to rifle through the bag of a 13 year old with a head injury so you could find out who she was and get hold of her parents.

Of course not.

If people are speeding, then I hope that they get caught. Why on earth would I warn them?

Speeding kills. People who speeding are twats. I'm not interested in helping twats.

You have absolutely no idea of my personal circumstances so please don't assume. Thanks.

I think it’s a safe assumption if you think that objecting to speeding makes someone a “misery”.

Exactly. A large part of my career was devoted to dealing with the aftermath of the actions of these mindless speeders.

Of course not. The bad drivers deserve what they get.

What a time we live in where people are actually proud that they break the speed limit.

No, I didn't say that. I agreed with another poster saying misery about people flashing others as a warning.

Flashing others as a warning is absolutely no different to a speed camera sign warning road users or speed cameras.

No

Other drivers can see the speed limit signs the same as I can.

Very, very rare to get a fine for warning other drivers. Its difficult to prove in court.

No and I think doing so should be an offence - it's a mild strain of aiding and abetting in my view!

I am also disproportionately annoyed if someone flashes at me - I know they don't know me but they are making an assumption that I am the type of person that only doesn't speed because of a penalty, not because I just don't speed.

It’s illegal here too because it’s considered obstructing a police officer in carrying out their legal duties.

Doesnt stop loads of people doing it though. The chances of getting caught are probably pretty low.