London -
A driver has been convicted for flashing his headlights at oncoming motorists to warn them of a police speed trap ahead.
Michael Thompson, 64, believed he was doing his civic duty by alerting drivers on the opposite side of a dual carriageway.
When stopped by a police officer Thompson disagreed with the suggestion he was perverting the course of justice and then was allegedly told: “I was going to let you off with a caution but I’m not now.”
He denied wilfully obstructing a policeman in the execution of his duty but was convicted after a trial at Grimsby Magistrates Court.
And he ended up £440 out of pocket after being fined £175, ordered to pay £250 costs and a £15 victims surcharge.
Thompson, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire, told the court he was warning motorists for safety reasons.
He said he had been involved in an accident a year ago when two drivers in front of him braked sharply after seeing a speed trap and although he braked in time another motorist crashed into the back of his vehicle.
“It is not an offence to warn of a possible speed trap because of the danger involved with vehicles braking quite hard,” Thompson claimed.
“It’s a civic duty to warn people. I flashed my lights. I had a very good reason to warn oncoming motorists, in my opinion.
“My first thought was this may cause an accident .
“I tried to warn vehicles that there was a speed trap. Because I challenged the officer he would not let me off with a warning.”
Thompson was pulled up as he headed out of Grimsby on the A46 at 10am last July.
The trial took a morning of court time and three officers gave evidence. One solicitor at the court criticised the decision to prosecute as a ridiculous waste of taxpayers money and said the defendant, who represented himself, should be praised for his actions.
Prosecutor John Owston told Thompson he was not trying to prevent an accident. He said: “You were doing it to warn them of a speed trap because as a motorist you don t want others to be caught speeding. You wanted to make sure that people who were speeding slowed down.
“It’s not the speed trap that causes the accident it’s the idiot behind the wheel who brakes heavily that causes the accident.”
The bench rejected Thompson s defence and magistrate Jean Ellerton told him: “We found your flashing of your headlights was an obstruction, we found you knew this action would cause vehicles to slow down and cause other motorists to avoid the speed trap and avoid prosecution.”
Thompson, a married man, said he was disgusted with the verdict and intended to appeal.
He insisted: “It’s a sad day for justice because the law is being abused. I flashed a vehicle for a good reason in the interests of safety. The offence of obstructing a police officer carries a maximum sentence of one month in prison and/or a £1 000 fine.”
Andrew Howard, the Automobile Association’s head of road safety, said: “It’s an unusual case. There are lots of people who are not aware of this law.”
Solicitor Anton Balkitis, a specialist in motoring law, said most motorists who flash at other drivers to warn them of a speed trap think they are doing people a favour .
“But it is an offence of obstruction and people do get taken to court for it so people need to be made aware of it,” he said. - Daily Mail