Flashing headlight charges dropped

Re: I will always flash my lights

Allow me to relate a true event that will add fuel to this debate:

A number of years ago, I passed a speed trap that was being implemented late at night by a lone RCMP officer. After passing him, I started flashing oncoming cars to warn them of their potential predicament. Immediately, the RCMP cruiser did a quick u-turn and within short order had me pulled over. After the regular formalities, I was issued a citation for "Misuse of Headlights".

That would have been the end of the story however, I decided to see how this would play out in court so I disputed the ticket. When my turn "in the dock" came, I calmly pleaded "not guilty" and within five seconds the officer who initially issued the ticket to me replied to the Justice of the Peace that "the Crown was withdrawing all charges" against me. I was free to go.

Certainly, there may have been extenuating circumstances in my case which may have made a conviction difficult, however I think not. Based on my experience it seems to me that although the flashing of lights to warn oncoming vehicles of an upcoming police presence may technically be against the law, the intent of the law is not to punish those citizens who are achieving the same result as those who uphold the law... that is to slow cars down.

Whether by doling out fines or giving a visual warning, both techniques achieve the same result albeit just for that moment in time. I believe it is for this reason that my case was thrown out and I suspect others would be too.

Food for thought.

Neil Wong