Missouri Judge Says, 'Yes, You Have A Right To Warn Other Drivers About Speed Traps'

02-05-2014 • The Car Connection

Over the past couple of years, drivers in Florida and Texas have been ticketed for notifying their fellow motorists about speed traps. In Florida, Ryan Kintner simply flashed his high-beams to oncoming cars -- the international "Police ahead!" signal -- but in Texas, Ron Martin went so far as to create a warning sign and hold it while standing on the median, which resulted in his arrest. Both cases went to court. Though Martin's case is still pending, Kintner's turned out badly for Florida police: the judge decided that flashing lights are, in fact, the equivalent of free speech, and therefore that Kintner had every right to use his headlights to warn others. And now, according to the Wall Street Journal, the score has ramped up to 2-0 in favor of motorists, thanks to a similar decision in Missouri. That case was very similar to the one that unfolded in Florida: driver Michael Elli was ticketed for flashing his lights and alerting oncoming motorists to a speed radar trap. His