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Hubby texted me to tell me he had been pulled over. He was driving to work on US-75 and had just passed into Collin County.

Apparently he had been flashing his lights at oncoming traffic to warn of an impending speed trap and the officer who stopped him had noticed. Pulled him over for "speeding" (not likely; hubby ALWAYS uses cruise control at about 2mph over the limit) and then asked if something was wrong with his brights. Truthfully, they don't work when you turn them on, but if you use the "burst" option they work. So hubby made a comment about them not having worked for months, handed over his CHL, DL, and insurance. He said the officer didn't bat an eye, gave him an official warning (for speeding), and sent him on his way.

Good contact, but bad husband! I told him that is EXACTLY the reason I DON'T warn oncoming traffic of a speed trap, and told him he should stop doing that. AND he lied to the officer about flashing his brights when he knew that was probably why he'd been pulled over.

randomoutburst wrote:Hubby texted me to tell me he had been pulled over. He was driving to work on I-75 and had just passed into Collin County.

Apparently he had been flashing his lights at oncoming traffic to warn of an impending speed trap and the officer who stopped him had noticed. Pulled him over for "speeding" (not likely; hubby ALWAYS uses cruise control at about 2mph over the limit) and then asked if something was wrong with his brights. Truthfully, they don't work when you turn them on, but if you use the "burst" option they work. So hubby made a comment about them not having worked for months, handed over his CHL, DL, and insurance. He said the officer didn't bat an eye, gave him an official warning (for speeding), and sent him on his way.

Good contact, but bad husband! I told him that is EXACTLY the reason I DON'T warn oncoming traffic of a speed trap, andtold him he should stop doing that. AND he lied to the officer about flashing his brights when he knew that was probably why he'd been pulled over.

Absolutely, . Why would any right thinking person warn a scofflaw he/she/they could be busted for violating laws designed to protect MY/YOUR well being? What's the sense in that?

I stopped warning people about those 10+ years ago. On a highway the speed limit is clearly posted and most folks know what it is anyway. If they choose to speed that's their choice and they must accept the consequences if caught. I've reached the age where I just don't need the hassle of a ticket.

This is probably the only thing my husband and I just cannot agree on. If I'm speeding and I fall into a speed trap, my fault. Why warn other people if they're speeding and are about to get caught? Too bad!

I think this shocked him a bit since he didn't even see the officer until he had his lights on behind him...and my husband is VERY observant. Maybe this'll be the defining moment that makes him stop flashing his lights at other cars!

In any case, we really can't afford a ticket or the hassle so I'm hoping he's sincere when he says he'll stop warning other vehicles about speed traps.

I didn't know people still did the light flash thing.

I remember my parents doing that in the 70's and even 80's but I figured with
most cars having daytime running lights nowadays, the "smokey" warning was obsolete by now.

BTW, we also used a CB to give and listen for "smokey" warnings.

Ahh, it was a simpler time then.

I used to warn folks till I got a little smarter and figured out that if others are speeding they've got less time and/or reason to stop me...truthfully, about the same time I also quit driving over the speed limit. What's that old saying? "Too soon old...too late smart"

A "Speed Trap" is one thing. A "Speed Limit" is the law of the land.

"Speed Traps" and "Speed Limits" are not necessarily synonymous.

Oldgringo wrote:A "Speed Trap" is one thing. A "Speed Limit" is the law of the land.

"Speed Traps" and "Speed Limits" are not necessarily synonymous.

If there are two cruisers on each side of the highway (as was the case) I would call that a speed trap. ;) I agree, though, speed limits are posted and posted for a reason, so if you're caught for speeding you're S.O.L.

randomoutburst wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:A "Speed Trap" is one thing. A "Speed Limit" is the law of the land.

"Speed Traps" and "Speed Limits" are not necessarily synonymous.

If there are two cruisers on each side of the highway (as was the case) I would call that a speed trap. ;) I agree, though, speed limits are posted and posted for a reason, so if you're caught for speeding you're S.O.L.

Same as when undercover cops make a drug buy or police stake out a convenience store for robbers.

megs wrote:

randomoutburst wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:A "Speed Trap" is one thing. A "Speed Limit" is the law of the land.

"Speed Traps" and "Speed Limits" are not necessarily synonymous.

If there are two cruisers on each side of the highway (as was the case) I would call that a speed trap. ;) I agree, though, speed limits are posted and posted for a reason, so if you're caught for speeding you're S.O.L.

Same as when undercover cops make a drug buy or police stake out a convenience store for robbers.

Hey girls,

Illegal is illegal, concealed is concealed, 30.06 is 30.06, etc., etc., ad nauseum.

The rules are the rules. All we have to do is deal with 'em...in our own way being fully aware that our actions have consequences.

Good evening

Along the lines of concealed is concealed, I would point out that the state law says speeding is speeding. And along those lines, I thought I would point out this line:

randomoutburst wrote:Pulled him over for "speeding" (not likely; hubby ALWAYS uses cruise control at about 2mph over the limit)

And for those of you who might get upset at someone signaling a scofflaw to slow down, I thought I would point out that this activity is specifically allowed by the law. Penal Code section 38.05 says it is illegal to warn someone of the police ahead unless the warning is specifically intended to bring the person back into compliance with the law. By flashing the lights, you are telling the other person to slow back down and come into compliance with the law, or else.

What I should have clarified when I said my hubby was told he was pulled over for speeding is that he was supposedly going MUCH over the speed limit, not just 2 mph. I know 2 mph over is still speeding. Yikes!

And Oldgringo - I'm not saying traps are unfair, just that they are what they are. How else are they going to catch people breaking laws...dumb luck? :)

Oldgringo wrote:
Absolutely, . Why would any right thinking person warn a scofflaw he/she/they could be busted for violating laws designed to protect MY/YOUR well being? What's the sense in that?

They're not designed for your well being. They're designed to collect revenue with safety as a official facade. If we really wanted safety, we'd make the driving test harder, make sure people without licenses or suspended licenses were punished when caught and a bunch of other measure. Problem would be that those things *cost* money and writing speeding tickets *makes* money.

android wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:
Absolutely, . Why would any right thinking person warn a scofflaw he/she/they could be busted for violating laws designed to protect MY/YOUR well being? What's the sense in that?

They're not designed for your well being. They're designed to collect revenue with safety as a official facade. If we really wanted safety, we'd make the driving test harder.

Right! The speed limits should be raised and then maybe the Police wouldn't be out to get you?

srothstein wrote:Along the lines of concealed is concealed, I would point out that the state law says speeding is speeding. And along those lines, I thought I would point out this line:

randomoutburst wrote:Pulled him over for "speeding" (not likely; hubby ALWAYS uses cruise control at about 2mph over the limit)

And for those of you who might get upset at someone signaling a scofflaw to slow down, I thought I would point out that this activity is specifically allowed by the law. Penal Code section 38.05 says it is illegal to warn someone of the police ahead unless the warning is specifically intended to bring the person back into compliance with the law. By flashing the lights, you are telling the other person to slow back down and come into compliance with the law, or else.

Very interesting.