Warn fellow drivers about the speed trap: is it allowed? | car

The startling facts date back to mid-January, when the Demerdal-DSZ Police District carried out a traffic crackdown with particular interest in speed and scooters in the Diest district. A driver overshot the speed camera and decided to warn oncoming traffic by flashing high beams. The man even went so far as to stop several times on the side of the track to continue his flashing message. Police eventually called him to issue the order and fined him €116 for improper use of the high beam.

“You may not warn other road users about speed control by flashing your lights,” affirms Steve Williams, VIAS Traffic Institute spokesperson. This falls under the incorrect use of lights, as described in Article 30.1 of the Highway symbol. You may be able to dazzle oncoming traffic with it, making it a second-degree offense that could result in a fine of €116 plus administrative costs.”

According to the Highway Code, warning another driver about a speed trap by using your voice and then your horn is also not allowed. “Sound signals are only allowed to give a warning that is necessary to avoid an accident, and outside built-up areas, when you need to warn a driver who wants to overtake you. The sound signals should be as short as possible.

In principle, it is not forbidden to warn fellow drivers about checking in other ways, although the options are somewhat limited. For example, the Highway Code does not write anything about the rocking motions of another motorist. Even if the question is whether this other person will be able to correctly interpret such a signal. When passing a control, it is also allowed – once the vehicle has stopped – to send a message to others informing them of the control.

There are also many social media groups that are constantly updating live followers at checkpoints. And you might also remember “Shooting Stars” on the radio from the old days. Although radio stations have had to stop reporting on where cruise control is for a few years now.

Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves whether this saying is “necessary.” “By reporting the controls, whether through social media or a traffic light, you are already committing antisocial behaviour. You are hindering the police in their task. For example, not only are police officers checking for speed or alcohol, but also during Roadside checks remove drivers from traffic who have other problems on their record, such as driving without insurance, flagged cars, etc,” says Willems.

Finally, according to a VIAS spokesperson, there are two instances in which blinking with high beams is permitted. The first example is an old article from the Highway Code, which we think should be deleted: “Between nightfall and daybreak, except in the event of imminent danger, acoustic signals shall be (which is only allowed to warn someone when necessary, ed.). They are replaced by briefly and alternately switching on the main beam and the low beam.

There is also an article where you can imply that you are blinded by the rapidly flashing lights. The Highway Code states that such a signal is permitted “when approaching an oncoming road user, at the distance necessary for the latter to be able to continue their way easily and without danger”.

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