Blinking Lights

[mcsap]

In my law enforcement training that I had, lights were never part of what we went over.

Thanks,
Eric

OK , I'll bite. What Law Enforcement training did you have ?

[Ironhead]

In my law enforcement training that I had, lights were never part of what we went over.

There are two ways I typically see people warning others of whatever they are warning them of .....
In daylight they will turn on headlights that weren't on before - or if they have a newer car, they can pull on the lever and have their highbeams come on for a moment. At night, they will turn their lights off - then back on ...... or they will flash their highbeams. Using highbeams within a certain distance of an on-coming car is probably illegal in all states. Turning your headlights off at night certainly is too. Most law enforcement training teachs those things.
Turning on your lowbeams during the day is a tough one - I bet it is not illegal in many states.

Unlike many others here, I think there are limited acceptable reasons to flash your highbeams at oncoming traffic. If an on-coming car has their highbeams steadily on and you give a momentary "check your lights you idiot" flash, I would never pull someone for that. Additionally, letting a truck driver know that his trailer has safely cleared you and he can change lanes safely is nice, but not usually expected of 4-wheelers.

I remember once that we had a checkpoint set up and a car leaving it started to flash vehicles coming the other way that hadn't entered yet. I was the 'chase car' for vehicles that tried to run the checkpoint or make illegal moves to avoid entering the area --- anyway I pulled the car over to let the driver know that there might be a problem with their electrical system - that I noticed their lights coming on and off. I told them they should get out and pop the hood and check to make sure nothing was sparking or shorting out. They played along and pretended to check for about 5 minutes before they decided to leave. I wondered how long they would stand there with their head under the hood 'checking' it out so they didn't have to admit they were doing it on purpose.

[TX-LEO]

Here in MI, we've got both covered. Turning them off and on:

257.684 Head lamps; lighting, distance, height.

Sec. 684.

(a) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as hereinafter stated. When lighted lamps and illuminated devices are required by law no vehicle shall be operated upon any highway of this state with only the parking lights illuminated on the front of the vehicle.

And flashing your high beams to warn the oncoming driver:

57.700 Multiple-beam road lighting equipment; oncoming traffic; intensity.

Sec. 700.

(a) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a highway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in section 684, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(b) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 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.

Pretty much a carbon copy of our law!

[TX-LEO]

I remember once that we had a checkpoint set up and a car leaving it started to flash vehicles coming the other way that hadn't entered yet. I was the 'chase car' for vehicles that tried to run the checkpoint or make illegal moves to avoid entering the area --- anyway I pulled the car over to let the driver know that there might be a problem with their electrical system - that I noticed their lights coming on and off. I told them they should get out and pop the hood and check to make sure nothing was sparking or shorting out. They played along and pretended to check for about 5 minutes before they decided to leave. I wondered how long they would stand there with their head under the hood 'checking' it out so they didn't have to admit they were doing it on purpose.

HA! Thats good stuff there.

[BP348]

when the reason you were stopped was because you flashed your lights. This is illegal in most, if not all, states.

That a new one to me :rolleyes:

I've seen plenty of people do it but never knew you could get a ticket for it.

[jeneric]

Hop thanks for the reply. I understand 100% why he pulled me over and I dont have issues with that. What I was wondering was the same as BP348, was it always illegel. I didn't realize that was illegal in all circumstances.

mcsap, Thanks for the answers as well. It was just things I was wondering about. AS far as limited law enforcement training, it was nothing more than the limited training that we got in park and rec class for park ranger. I did that a little as part as my internship before i started computer programming for my second major. Like I said, it was much other than going over basics. mostly code enforcment for within the park (i.e drinking, drugs, ect.)

Ironhead, I liked the story and the objective stance of your response. Thats what I was looking for.

All in all, I know why he pulled me over, I am perfectly fine with that, and I am glad that he was checking. All that I really wanted to know was if it was illegal all the time or what some of the LEO's thought about it.

Thanks :cool: