Curtis Mowers of the State Patrol was asked about the legality of flashing headlights to warn other motorists of a speed trap in light of a very recent ruling by a judge that motorists can legally do that.
“I heard of the ruling, but I have not yet read any specific legal documents related to that ruling. Remember, our traffic law in Minnesota requires dimming your bright lights within 1,000 feet of meeting another vehicle, and that still stands,” Mowers said.
He cited M.S.S. 169.61 (b): “When the driver of a vehicle approaches a vehicle within 1,000 feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver.”
When you are meeting another driver and they flash their lights at you, the first thing most drivers think of is that maybe you have your own bright lights on and the other driver is trying to get you to dim them, Mowers said.
Other reasons that motorists flash their lights is to warn of a hazard, like deer on or near the highway, objects in the roadway or a host of other reasons or hazards. “I suppose it differs from where you live, but in my circles, the least of all reasons motorists are flashing their headlights is to warn someone of a speed trap. I don’t think it’s a big topic of discussion in many law enforcement circles.”
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