Urgent £1000 fine warning for drivers using headlights in harmless way
Drivers are being warned that using headlights harmlessly could land them with a hefty fine.
Flashing your headlights to warn others of a mobile speed van is a common friendly courtesy, but if police catch you warning other drivers, it can be see as an 'obstruction of police duties' - and can land you with a £1000 fine.
With an estimated 150,000 drivers in the UK caught speeding by police each year, it's no surprise that some motorists warn others to help them avoid a ticket.
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However, Gordon Inglis, Managing Director at the Car Buying Group, has told drivers it's not worth breaking the law.
He said: "Flashing your headlights to warn other drivers about a mobile speed camera van might seem like a harmless favour, but it could land you in trouble.
“Police use mobile speed vans to make roads safer. They are in place to check vehicle speeds and issue fines to those breaking the limit, helping to deter speeding. If you are caught warning others of a speed van ahead, not only are you breaching the highway code, but the law also considers this ‘obstructing police duties.’
“Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997, it is an offence to intentionally prevent police from doing their job. If caught, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
"While it may seem like you’re helping a fellow motorist, you could also be aiding reckless drivers in avoiding detection. Speed limits exist to keep everyone safe, and enforcement helps to deter dangerous driving and catch drivers that pose a risk on the road.
“Stick to the speed limit and let others take responsibility for their own driving. A quick flash might seem helpful, but it’s not worth the risk."
The warning is particularly relevant as it was recently revealed that half of UK police forces have clocked drivers speeding more than three times the legal limit in the 20 months to the end of August 2024.
