COPS Gone Wild? Guy Gets Ticket For Flashing Lights To Warn Drivers Of Speed Trap?

Erich Campbell thought he was being helpful. The Florida Highway patrolman thought he was being obnoxious and disrespectful and gave him a $101 fine.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Campbell as he paced next to Veterans Highway in Tampa, Fla.
“I was in complete disbelief.”

Campbell’s crime?

He flashed his headlights to alert oncoming cars after passing that patrolman’s speed trap.
“It’s something I do,” he explained. "I don’t think it should be against the law."

In December 2009, the patrolman was set up on the southbound side of Route 589 near the Tampa International Airport. In a recording of the stop, the officer told Campbell he had seen his lights flashing. “It’s illegal,” he said before giving him a ticket that read “improper flashing of high-beams.”

What would YOU tell the Cop if this happened to you?

Thanks to 00J for the tipoff!




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Need4Speed - 10/13/2011 12:49:13 PM

+1 Boost

Its only illegal if you get caught ;-)

M35MT - 10/13/2011 12:57:45 PM

+8 Boost

1st:
Um, how did the cop find out? Did he flash his lights at a cop car driving towards him?! Does he know what a crown vic looks like?

2nd:
How can the cop prove he flashed his lights for that reason? The man could state he was attempting to activate his washer fluid and instead pushed the wrong lever

grenouille - 10/13/2011 1:56:42 PM

+3 Boost

If he's supid enough to tell the cop that was the reason for flashing lights then he deserves the ticket and up north it is against the law.

atc98092 - 10/13/2011 1:05:53 PM

+3 Boost

This is on the books in many states. Doesn't mean it's right, but it's something they can ding ya on.

I agree with M35MT though, how does the cop know???

truckman - 10/13/2011 1:27:19 PM

+3 Boost

Don't get in the way of fundraising, the Gov. has almost shut down due to lack of funds, so the solution is to tax them more! tickets...

thetruth01 - 10/13/2011 1:29:14 PM

0 Boost

When I first learned to drive and was taught about this gesture, I was warned it was against the law to do it. Why is this even a story? Slow News Day?

fourmccs - 10/13/2011 1:35:51 PM

+1 Boost

This is old news and against the law is some states. You break laws, even stupid ones, you pay.

Joe_Limon - 10/13/2011 2:00:04 PM

+3 Boost

That's a silly law, would you get a ticket for flashing someone who left their high beams on at night?

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 10/13/2011 3:06:44 PM

+3 Boost

Simple Really.

If the Cop Vehicle is/was parked perpendicular to the highway it means his camera is not recording the road....Flat Out Deny that you ever flashed your lights.

If he was parked Parallel to the road and as such there is a chance it was caught on video....Claim you were trying to use the windshield washer and hit the light stalk instead {He cannot prove otherwise}.

And even when he issues the ticket, go to court and contest it, it would most likely be dismissed.

Arsen89 - 10/13/2011 6:01:01 PM

+1 Boost

How is this news?

USNA1999 - 10/14/2011 6:19:11 PM

+1 Boost

Nothing new here, this happened to me when I was a teenager. I tried telling the cop that I was having issues with my headlights but he still gave me the ticket. This was 25 years ago! LoL!