6 ms·

My main objection is that enforcement, at least in the UK is absolutely useless. The likelihood of actually coming across a speed trap is tiny, the likelihood o

My main objection is that enforcement, at least in the UK is absolutely useless. The likelihood of actually coming across a speed trap is tiny, the likelihood of coming across a speed trap that isn't one of the ones that are regularly used is close to 0. So it's not like people who speed get fined. It's people who speed and get unlucky get fined (and points). I just think it's bad policy to have relatively huge penalties and relatively rubbish enforcement. It's capricious and ineffective. People still speed because being caught is highly unlikely, people who get caught face a penalty that is disproportionate for something so common. The increase of tools like this don't actually address that. Tools like this don't actually address the policy failure in speed enforcement.

mcintyre1994 6y ago
Ironically you can pretty much only get caught by the irregular ones if you’re on a quiet road too - otherwise someone will flash you as you approach to let you know. At least in some places anyway.
- noir_lord 6y ago
  Motorcyclists tap their helmet or occasionally hold index figure straight up and spin it. Either works - I've had them do it for me but since I don't speed I just nod and continue my ride.
- Daho0n 6y ago
  This is a speed trap working as intended though. Lower speed is the goal, not fines.
  - petercooper 6y ago
    You'd think so, but people have been prosecuted for warning other drivers about them.
    - hkt 6y ago
      Source?
      - leetrout 6y ago
        For the US see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight_flashing#United_States https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight_flashing#United_St...
      - ta988 6y ago
        In US it depends on states: https://www.findcarmeets.com/is-flashing-headlights-to-warn-of-speed-traps-legal/ https://www.findcarmeets.com/is-flashing-headlights-to-warn-...
      - petercooper 6y ago
        https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1118798/speed-trap-warning-obstructing-police-officer-fine-driving-law https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1118798/speed-trap...
- TecoAndJix 6y ago
  Flashing my lights to warn another driver about a speed trap makes me feel like I’m part of some underground resistance
  - everybodyknows 6y ago
    Resistance to government by rule of law?
    - renewiltord 6y ago
      Well, obviously. Every underground resistance has resisted a government that is enforcing laws. That's why they're underground.
- severino 6y ago
  I sometimes flash people on roads where there are no speed traps. This way I achieve two things: defeating the usefulness of flashing people as a warning and also possibly making people drive slower than they would.
  - hkt 6y ago
    Bravo. I'm going to do this when I start driving again.
    - eertami 6y ago
      Check the laws in your local area first. Intentionally dazzling other drivers may be illegal and can carry a much higher fine (sometimes 10x more) than speeding, depending on country.
      - hkt 6y ago
        I'm in the UK, so it isn't any more illegal than warning drivers.
        eertami 6y ago
        In the UK you should only flash your high beams to alert other drivers to your presence. Using them as you describe could lead to a £1000 fine. I understand that people using them to warn drivers is also illegal, but two wrongs won't make this right. Why put yourself at risk for no benefit? Honestly you should reconsider. There's enough bad driving on the roads without you adding to it.
  - eertami 6y ago
    So you object to people speeding illegally, yet you have no problem with using your lights to illegally distract other drivers? How curious!
    - vkou 6y ago
      They are making people slow down to the legal limit, thus resulting in a net increase of lawfullness on the road. Also, around here, it's incredibly common to flash your lights to remind oncoming traffic to turn off their high-beams. It's a form of communication, and not all communication is distraction.
mFixman 6y ago
0% of good drivers get caught in speed traps. The main issue is using fines as punishment, since people can affordably keep speeding if there aren't enough speed traps. The only way to solve most road problems is to forbid speeders from ever driving. You already need a driving exam to drive, it doesn't seem crazy to now allow criminals who don't care about speed limits or safety from taking it.

mcintyre1994 6y ago

Ironically you can pretty much only get caught by the irregular ones if you’re on a quiet road too - otherwise someone will flash you as you approach to let you know. At least in some places anyway.

noir_lord 6y ago
Motorcyclists tap their helmet or occasionally hold index figure straight up and spin it. Either works - I've had them do it for me but since I don't speed I just nod and continue my ride.
Daho0n 6y ago
This is a speed trap working as intended though. Lower speed is the goal, not fines.
- petercooper 6y ago
  You'd think so, but people have been prosecuted for warning other drivers about them.
  - hkt 6y ago
    Source?
    - leetrout 6y ago
      For the US see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight_flashing#United_States https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight_flashing#United_St...
    - ta988 6y ago
      In US it depends on states: https://www.findcarmeets.com/is-flashing-headlights-to-warn-of-speed-traps-legal/ https://www.findcarmeets.com/is-flashing-headlights-to-warn-...
    - petercooper 6y ago
      https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1118798/speed-trap-warning-obstructing-police-officer-fine-driving-law https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1118798/speed-trap...
TecoAndJix 6y ago
Flashing my lights to warn another driver about a speed trap makes me feel like I’m part of some underground resistance
- everybodyknows 6y ago
  Resistance to government by rule of law?
  - renewiltord 6y ago
    Well, obviously. Every underground resistance has resisted a government that is enforcing laws. That's why they're underground.
severino 6y ago
I sometimes flash people on roads where there are no speed traps. This way I achieve two things: defeating the usefulness of flashing people as a warning and also possibly making people drive slower than they would.
- hkt 6y ago
  Bravo. I'm going to do this when I start driving again.
  - eertami 6y ago
    Check the laws in your local area first. Intentionally dazzling other drivers may be illegal and can carry a much higher fine (sometimes 10x more) than speeding, depending on country.
    - hkt 6y ago
      I'm in the UK, so it isn't any more illegal than warning drivers.
      - eertami 6y ago
        In the UK you should only flash your high beams to alert other drivers to your presence. Using them as you describe could lead to a £1000 fine. I understand that people using them to warn drivers is also illegal, but two wrongs won't make this right. Why put yourself at risk for no benefit? Honestly you should reconsider. There's enough bad driving on the roads without you adding to it.
- eertami 6y ago
  So you object to people speeding illegally, yet you have no problem with using your lights to illegally distract other drivers? How curious!
  - vkou 6y ago
    They are making people slow down to the legal limit, thus resulting in a net increase of lawfullness on the road. Also, around here, it's incredibly common to flash your lights to remind oncoming traffic to turn off their high-beams. It's a form of communication, and not all communication is distraction.

mFixman 6y ago

0% of good drivers get caught in speed traps. The main issue is using fines as punishment, since people can affordably keep speeding if there aren't enough speed traps. The only way to solve most road problems is to forbid speeders from ever driving. You already need a driving exam to drive, it doesn't seem crazy to now allow criminals who don't care about speed limits or safety from taking it.