It comes after a warning over fines up to £1,000 for trying to ‘help out’ fellow drivers
Drivers are being warned they could face fines of up to £1,000 for trying to “help out” other drivers. Many well-meaning drivers flash their lights to warn others about speed camera vans and police checkpoints. But a spokesperson at One Sure Insurance is warning that even a quick signal to be “helpful” could in fact be breaking the law and lead to fines and/or points for misuse of headlights.
Police forces around the country have doubled the number of speed enforcement camera vans they have in recent years, in a bid to tackle speeding in the name of enhancing road safety.
To combat this, drivers are known to flash headlights as a warning to other drivers to slow down. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here.
A spokeswoman for the insurance company said: “Even though you may think you are helping fellow road users avoid speed tickets, you could in fact confuse or distract drivers on the road.
“If you are caught flashing to warn other drivers, you could be accused of obstructing the police in their duty.
“This means police can enforce fines under Section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996 and even under the Police Reform Act 2002 – if the operator of the speed camera van is an appointed member of the public.”
The company is advising all road users to familiarise themselves with rules 110 and 112 of the Highway Code, which outline how and when it is appropriate to use lights and horns.
It says rule 110 of the code states headlights should only be flashed to let other road users know of your presence — not for any other reason such as offering someone the right of way, getting drivers to move so you can overtake, or to intimidate drivers.
Similarly, you also cannot use the horn as a warning either under part of rule 112 of the Highway Code unless warning other vehicles of your presence too, and never when stationary unless a collision is imminent.
The spokeswoman added: “Although drivers may believe they are doing a good deed by warning others with their hazard lights and horn, we would advise drivers to drive safely and prevent fines by sticking to the Highway Code.
“Use headlights and other vehicle instruments as hazards as they were intended.
“Lleave speed enforcement to the professionals.”
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