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Flash Your Headlights!
- Thread starter Butler Trumpet
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I a way, I am. Both are illegal, both harm others. And in both cases, the person doing it knows that it's wrong and illegal. But he still feels that the rules and laws do not apply to him.
There are few issues at play here:
a) The rule about "many posts" was buried in the FAQ/Rules-section. I bet I'm not the only one who didn't even know about that particular rule.
b) Keeping point A in mind, I don't think there's ANYONE who thinks that speeding (or beating up old ladies) is allowed. So comparing my "crime" to speeding is comparing apples to oranges.
c) is two posts in a row (which I did) same thing as "many posts in a row" (which is not allowed)?
How do they know that the people they are warning are driving just 5-10mph over the limit? How do they know that they are not drunk-drivers (I know of cases where someone warned others of a police-lookout. One of those who were warned was a drunk-driver who stopped his car and did a U-turn. Luckily he was later apprehended)?
I flashed my headlights, considering it an act of kindness.
I say "flashed" because I live in Korea now, and haven't driven for over 2 years.
I say "flashed" because I live in Korea now, and haven't driven for over 2 years.
a) Imagine that: The rules "buried" in the FAQ/Rules-section... amazing...
Where would you put it...?c) Yes! Stop doing that, and remember that even minor problems may get you banned if you continue to do it after being warned...
If your going to be a stickler for the laws rules then you don't get to selectively apply them.
So if a rule is too far down on a list it doesn't need to be followed? What if speeding were really close to the end of the book of traffic laws where I live?
I wasn't comparing your encroaching on forum rules to actually breaking the law. You compared speeding to violently mugging old ladies, I pointed out that this is similar to equating multiple posts in a row in the same thread in a short period to a bannable offense on the board. In your cases, yes, both are breaking the law, but there is a degree of severity associated with each, much like breaching forum etiquette has many levels of severity, should you be banned for 2-3 posts in a row? No, in much the same way you shouldn't be given the chair for speeding.
No, but you are starting to encroach on forum etiquette and someone "flashed their headlights" to point this out to avoid future troubles.
How do you know that the guy you let merge on the highway in front of you is sober, or that he's not on his way to burn down someone's house. You make judgement calls to maybe give someone a reminder to check their speed on a deserted highway in the middle of the day.
I'd never do it at night or in busy traffic, but I've driven out in west Texas where the highway cuts through nothing but empty barren planes as far as you can see and you might not see another car for hours. I might flash my headlights at an oncoming vehicle in that situation since they pose a danger to no-one but themselves and with that much empty space it's easy to lose track of your speed.
I'm not advocating that you should do this, but I'm not going to tell you, that you should not do it either. It's up to the individual to make their own judgement.
Also I'm not advocating speeding, but it happens a lot, the vast majority of it is harmless, but if you get caught don't try to make up excuses to get out of it. Suck it up, you broke the law, now deal with it. It's not someone else's fault for not notifying you, it's not their responsibility to keep you in line. However if someone is kind enough to give you a friendly reminder to check your speed and you find more often than not you are exceeding the limit when the reminder comes along it might be time to re-examine your driving habits.
I don't, and won't flash. What if I let a "person of interest" during an Amber Alert know the cops are ahead? Unlikely I'm sure, but that's not a chance I'm willing to take.
Still thought it was illegal here in PA. Thats good to know. What about in the District?
I live in Florida(college) & everyone seems to forget to TURN OFF THEIR F******* HIGH BEAMS.
The only way to let them know that their high beams are on is by flashing.
Yes, I know halogen bulbs are very bright & can look like high beams but in some states those are illegal due to their brightness. Your headlight should only be a certain brightness when in LOW BEAM mode.
I do flash speeders to let them know about patrol cars but only when I'm back in Texas. I also own a radar dectector. I've been pulled over for speeding about 4 times(always 15+ over the limit). Never got a ticket though.
The only way to let them know that their high beams are on is by flashing.
Yes, I know halogen bulbs are very bright & can look like high beams but in some states those are illegal due to their brightness. Your headlight should only be a certain brightness when in LOW BEAM mode.
I do flash speeders to let them know about patrol cars but only when I'm back in Texas. I also own a radar dectector. I've been pulled over for speeding about 4 times(always 15+ over the limit). Never got a ticket though.
Mainly talking about radar dectectors but does give some insight into what insurance companies will due to get money out of you.
"The Insurance Lobby's Fight To Ban Radar Detectors
"...Would it surprise you to know that a few of the largest insurance companies routinely donate police radar and laser guns to law enforcement agencies throughout the Unites States every year? They claim it is done for the benefit of public safety when in reality it is done to increase the amount of insurance surcharge revenue they take in yearly.
Dozens of traffic experts and engineers have done studies that show the facts to be a little clearer than the insurance industry would like us to believe. Simply put, radar detectors alone have no influence on the traffic speeds or accidents. Further, the use of police radar by law enforcement does little to slow the speed of traffic upon our highways. These traffic experts know most people drive a safe and reasonable speed even if it exceeds the posted speed limit and that by merely possessing a radar detector, one does not automatically become a speeding reckless driver, or one who increases the risk for an accident.
Speeding tickets are a basis for money making for the state, city or town and the insurance companies. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a multi-million dollar tax-exempt agency uses its resources to promote unrealistically low speed limits, combined with covert methods of enforcement, only for the safe of lining its own pockets."
Website:
http://www.buyradardetectors.com/Articles/Radar-Detectors-Friend-Or-Foe.aspx
From wikipedia:
"United States law varies from state to state, but detectors are generally legal in private vehicles under the Communications Act of 1934"
Website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_detector
You have a right to recieve ANY radio wave being broadcasted. Police radar is a radio transmission.
"The Insurance Lobby's Fight To Ban Radar Detectors
"...Would it surprise you to know that a few of the largest insurance companies routinely donate police radar and laser guns to law enforcement agencies throughout the Unites States every year? They claim it is done for the benefit of public safety when in reality it is done to increase the amount of insurance surcharge revenue they take in yearly.
Dozens of traffic experts and engineers have done studies that show the facts to be a little clearer than the insurance industry would like us to believe. Simply put, radar detectors alone have no influence on the traffic speeds or accidents. Further, the use of police radar by law enforcement does little to slow the speed of traffic upon our highways. These traffic experts know most people drive a safe and reasonable speed even if it exceeds the posted speed limit and that by merely possessing a radar detector, one does not automatically become a speeding reckless driver, or one who increases the risk for an accident.
Speeding tickets are a basis for money making for the state, city or town and the insurance companies. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a multi-million dollar tax-exempt agency uses its resources to promote unrealistically low speed limits, combined with covert methods of enforcement, only for the safe of lining its own pockets."
Website:
http://www.buyradardetectors.com/Articles/Radar-Detectors-Friend-Or-Foe.aspx
From wikipedia:
"United States law varies from state to state, but detectors are generally legal in private vehicles under the Communications Act of 1934"
Website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_detector
You have a right to recieve ANY radio wave being broadcasted. Police radar is a radio transmission.
Excellent post Done-on-a-Mac. Kicks those snivelling brainwashed law mongers in their righteous nuts. See ... you're not good citizens .. you're a crop for harvesting.
I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do
I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do
I go over the limit all the time on the highway. No tickets, no accidents.
Speeders aren't dangerous. Speeders who are also morons are dangerous. I pay attention to my surroundings. I know how to handle my car, and if I see anything that requires me to slow down, whether it's a cop, a slower driver, someone stuck on the side of the road or bad weather, I slow down immediately. The people who go 20 over and feel like they are invincible are the ones that end up killing someone. These people would be just as dangerous going the speed limit. Whether you're going 55 or 80, you and the drivers around you are f**ked if you're yapping on the cell phone, playing with the radio and not paying attention to the road.
Bad drivers are bad drivers. At highway speeds, the only thing an extra 20mph is going to do is get them to the site of their accident sooner. We don't need more restrictions on how we drive, we need more restrictions on who can drive.
Speeders aren't dangerous. Speeders who are also morons are dangerous. I pay attention to my surroundings. I know how to handle my car, and if I see anything that requires me to slow down, whether it's a cop, a slower driver, someone stuck on the side of the road or bad weather, I slow down immediately. The people who go 20 over and feel like they are invincible are the ones that end up killing someone. These people would be just as dangerous going the speed limit. Whether you're going 55 or 80, you and the drivers around you are f**ked if you're yapping on the cell phone, playing with the radio and not paying attention to the road.
Bad drivers are bad drivers. At highway speeds, the only thing an extra 20mph is going to do is get them to the site of their accident sooner. We don't need more restrictions on how we drive, we need more restrictions on who can drive.
If it only were mine ...
... it's Robert Heinlein.
I've got another one ...
Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.
... it's Robert Heinlein.
I've got another one ...
Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.
I always flash my headlights when ever I drive by a cop. I would hate to not be warned and get pulled over. I like it when people wave back thanking in advance. If the person was to be driving like a complete ***** I would not flash my lights. But its kinda like if you're at school and someone is talking crap about someone and the person they are talking about is right behind them- you tell them to be quiet.
Haha I know exactly what you are talking about. I've driven on it a few times (I am 16), Living on the boarder of MA we go on it every so often to get places, and my dad works on worcester so he's on it everyday.
They seriously go 90mph down the road. If you are in there way they will tailgate you from 1ft away until you change lanes. Some people that don't understand the system slow down when the cop pulls behind them because they don't want to be speeding. The cops get mad, turn on their lights, so the slow person then thinks they are getting pulled over, but infact, the cop just wants to race ahead, confusing the slow driver.
I honestly don't understand the MA state trooper tactic.
Haha I know exactly what you are talking about. I've driven on it a few times (I am 16), Living on the boarder of MA we go on it every so often to get places, and my dad works on worcester so he's on it everyday.
They seriously go 90mph down the road. If you are in there way they will tailgate you from 1ft away until you change lanes. Some people that don't understand the system slow down when the cop pulls behind them because they don't want to be speeding. The cops get mad, turn on their lights, so the slow person then thinks they are getting pulled over, but infact, the cop just wants to race ahead, confusing the slow driver.
I honestly don't understand the MA state trooper tactic.
Jesus I couldn't agree with this more! Speed doesn't kill, the idiot speeding kills.
For everyone of those stories you posted, I'm sure 100 people sped and didn't kill themselves. Of course those stories make speeding look bad, but in reality, it happens all the time with no consequences except for a ticket. That's not exactly newsworthy.
Some people just suck at driving.
Don't worry, every cop knows that your model of Disco can't speed anyway
Haha, that is very true. If I was going 65 on the highway, and then attempted to go 85, by the time I got there I would probably be ready to be getting off
. Underpowered engine and very low gearing makes for interesting highway acceleration speeds. I drove my moms car today, I felt like I was driving a rocketship. When you can go 0-60 in under 11 seconds, it feels amazing. haha. I really hate it though, there aren't like any Discovery 1's in my town, let alone many Land Rovers, and I don't know of any "white gold" ones, and unfortunately, everyone knows my car. People are like "I saw you driving" every day. Its kinda creepy.
In that case, replace the phrase "many posts in a row" with "more than one post in a row" or something like that. That was it's A LOT more clear what the rule is saying. Had I read that rule before committing my crime, I would have done it anyway, since I would have understood that as meaning 3-4 posts or more.
Where exactly have I said that the rule about several posts in a row does not apply to me? Please provide me with a quote. What I HAVE said is that I did not know of that rule, and I asked for a clarification that does "many posts" equal "two or more posts". If it does (as the moderator said), then maybe that particular rule should be changed to be less confusing? I bet I wouldn't be the only one who thinks that "many posts" means something like 3-4 posts and more.
Can ANYONE claim that they did not know that speeding is illegal? EVERYONE knows speeding is illegal, yet they help others do it. I CAN honestly say that I did not know of the rule banning many posts. And even if I had known about it, I would have propably thought it means 3-4 (or more) posts in a row.
Where exactly have I claimed that? Please provide exact quotes, or stop putting words in to my mouth, OK?
Completely irrelevant to the discussion at hand. You are putting words in to my mouth, please stop it. If you cant argue with facts, don't argue at all. I have NEVER claimed that the rule does not apply to me. I simply said that I did not know about the rule and that the rule is confusingly worded. Can ANYONE claim that they did not know that speeding is illegal? If they didn't know it, why are they flashing their headlights then? Could it be because they know speeding is illegal, and they want to help others break the law?
It's not. Like I said, multi-posting doesn't actually make people end up in hospital. And secondly: I genuinely did not know of that particular rule (and I'm NOT saying that I can therefore multipost), whereas EVERYBODY knows that speeding and mugging IS illegal.
They are not given the chair, they are receiving a fine. And some people think it's OK to help other avoid that fine.
It's not my duty to know. But it's not my duty to help others avoid police-lookouts either. If they are not breaking the law, nothing will happen to them. If they ARE breaking the law... Why should I help them do that? I don't help shoplifters either.
Yeah, and that makes it A-OK, right? "Of course I can speed, because I'm not going to crash or kill others!". I don't think those other people were planning on crashing either, it just happens. And if you are speeding, the chances of that accident goes up. Sure, going few kilometers of the limit might not be fatal, but the police have to draw the line somewhere. If they drew it higher, the speeders would also start driving a bit faster. IF they put it even higher, the speeders would again drive a bit faster. Before long you would have people driving 150km/h in 100km/h area, and when they get caught they would complain that "I wasn't THAT much over the limit!".
...And that website couldn't possibly be biased.
Of course they will be biased, but everybody is. Even this site is biased to a degree. I'm not saying that being biased is bad. It isn't. Being biased is seeing something from a point of view(a stance). Being biased also doesn't mean it is false.
Any website can claim facts either way & still provide truthful statistics. It was just some info that I had come across that seemed intriguing. Is it true? Probably, but who knows if it's true.
I'm just trying show another point of view. I hope I was able to help people see/think differently.
My whole issue is the irony of this statement combined with your many excuses put forth when it was pointed out that you were encroaching, if not breaking a Forum Rule. If you are going to be so adamant that rules be followed you should not be trying to defend yourself when it is pointed out that you yourself are not following rules. Ignorance is not a defense in court so ignorance of the forum rules should not be a defense here. I wouldn't be taking any issue with what you are saying if you had just said "I was not aware of that rule, and I will try to avoid doing things like this in the future." By making excuses you are selectively applying rules to yourself while claiming to be fed-up with people selectively applying rules to themselves.
You have not said this but when asked for clarification on where the rule was, and when the rule was pointed out you've done nothing but try to make excuses about how unclear the rule is and how it does not harm anyone.
What if you didn't know, or were out driving on a stretch of road where the limit signs were few and far between, and you haven't seen one? Ignorance is not a defense in Court and it shouldn't be.
You didn't say that you just said
Which could be interpreted as an "I didn't see it so I shouldn't be bound by the consequences" type post.
And I haven't been exactly for people doing this either, and have frequently mentioned that it's not any other's responsibility to help you out of a ticket, and that if you get caught speeding, suck it up.
My entire point is that while sitting on a position of being "100% fed-up with people who believe that rules and laws do not apply to them" you could have been a lot more gracious and less defensive when it was pointed out that you were not 100% in compliance with the rules yourself.
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