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Police speed camera (sorry I mean safety Ha Ha) warning devices

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bruce5755 | 22:08 Sat 11th Jun 2005 | Motoring
8 Answers
Is the sale of speed camera warning devices, such as shown in the new Woolworths adverts actually legal.  I ask because I believed that anyone warning an oncoming driver by flashing his/her lights, warning of a mobile speed camera could be prosecuted?
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Yes, they are legal...... for the moment.

There is a law coming into force later this year banning the sale and use of scanning / radar detecting warning devices. (ie those devices that detect the radar emissions from speed 'guns' and cameras, including mobile speed cameras, and hand-held devices.)

Those devices that warn of fixed cameras using GPS - (ie that check your position aginst a database of known camera positions) will not be affected by the new law.

This brings us into line with the main EU countries who have already banned these devices - except Spain where they are legal.

Never heard about the 'being prosecuted for flashing your lights' though, bruce !
"I was just trying to warn the flies to get out my way so they don't get squashed, officer."

This from the CPS

Obstructing a police officer � section 89(2) Police Act 1996

It is a summary only offence carrying a maximum penalty of one month's imprisonment and/or a level 3 fine.

Examples of the type of conduct which may constitute the offence of obstructing a police officer include:-

Warning a landlord that the police are to investigate after hours drinking;

warning that a police search of premises is to occur;

giving a warning to other motorists of a police speed trap ahead;

a motorist or 'shoplifter' who persists in giving a false name and address;

a witness giving a false name and address;
a partner who falsely claiming that he/she was driving at the time of the accident but relenting before the breathalyser procedure is frustrated;
an occupier inhibiting the proper execution of a search warrant (if the warrant has been issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act, see also s 23 of that Act);

refusing to admit constables into a house when there is a right of entry under s.4(7) of the road Traffic Act 1988 (arrest for driving etc while unfit through drink or drugs).

as I understand it, those that jam speed cameras are the ones which will be made illegal. the warning only type are to remain legal
Naive question ahoy, but surely if flashing your lights as a warning causes other motorists to slow down, that's a good thing, no? I mean, that has to be what really matters, right? After all, it's not as the police just want to catch people so they can generate revenue, is it?

Ahem.

They give out the location of temporary speed cameras on our local radio station every morning. I have heard the thing about flashing your lights but the police won't see it anyway will they as they are up the road with the gun!

Good answer littleoldme, so if headlights were programmed to flash every ten seconds or so on every vehicle it would nullify the need for speed cameras.
Sorry if this sounds like nit-picking but I don't believe it's illegal to SELL the things, but it could well be illegal to actually USE such a device.
littleoldme spot on with his/her answer.
OK so perhaps I am naive but why don't we all just stick to the speed limits? Surely they are there for a reason.

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