Cars & Transportation Flashing your lights when you see a speed Camera

[bunsen burner]

Seriously, what sort of person are you?

Actually, what sort of person are you?

Resentment is a very very ugly trait.

 

[Affidavit]

The speed limits are constantly getting reduced and the roads are becoming slower and slower. It's hard not to speed now while cyclists fly past you and through red lights whenever they want thinking their gods.

 

[MightyMark]

The speed limits are constantly getting reduced and the roads are becoming slower and slower. It's hard not to speed now while cyclists fly past you and through red lights whenever they want thinking their gods.

I think thats a whole different thread right there. Cant count the number of times i've been stopped at a red light and a cyclist just hopes the curbs and crosses the pedestrian crossing. Bunch of flogs. If they want the same road rights, they should be expected to obey the same laws.

Back to the OP. I dont advocate speeding, but i'm happy to flash someone who is cleary not trying to break the sound barrier. Nothing is more frustrating than a speeding fine for being 5km over, and I would very much appriciate a heads up myself sometimes, even if its false just to keep the speedo in check.

On the other hand, I take great pleasure in watching tools speed past every other car and then crack the shits when they see the flash.

 

[Aussie Assault]

Is this done in other countries? Ive done a fair bit of travel, but to be fair its been mainly through third world countries (India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam...) but have not seen it before.

I was recently in a cab in Central Vietnam where the driver was flashed for this reason.

 

[MrNatural]

It depends on the situation.
If theres a speed camera or a cop with his radar on the side of the road i will tend to flash my lights.
If its a booze bus up ahead, i dont flash my lights. I think those who drink/take drugs while driving are the lowest form of driver going around and deserve to be caught.
Whereas i believe speeding is a lower form of 'road crime'. Some may disagree.

I knew a guy who got caught flashing his lights to warn other drivers.
Dont think he got anything for the actual flashing, but the cop decided to do a RWC check on his car then whacked his car with a canary. I thought it was quite funny

 

[aussierulesrules]

I don't do it, usually. When I flash someone its usually because they haven't turned their high beams off. Dumb ****s with their high beams on during the day also shit me, although I'm sure they think that when I flash I'm warning them of something, not telling them they are a ****wit. Wish I had some lights on the back to flash the idiots behind who have their high beams on during the day, ahd some ******** follow me for a good half hour up the freeway with his high beams on the other day

So they're the "dumb asses" and "****wits", are they? You're probably one of those that turn their high beam up at me at night when I drive by, thinking I have my high beam on, when it's just my regular headlights, which just happen to be very strong.

Happens often. I especially love it when they turn their high beam on, to, as you put it, "tell me I'm a ****wit", to which I respond in kind by actually turning my high beam on, just to let them know that it wasn't my high beam they were seeing (like in Crocodile Dundee: "that's not a knife, this is a knife"). They often then respond by turning their high beam on again, seemingly too dumb to realise that I was just turning my high beam on in response to them turning theirs on me, to let them know that I had only had my regular beam on previously. It cracks me up.

As for the OP, I certainly do it. If they really are there to deter speeding and not to raise revenue, then the goal is to get everyone to slow down and flashing your lights has that effect far more than not flashing your lights.

 

[kfc1]

So they're the "dumb asses" and "****wits", are they? You're probably one of those that turn their high beam up at me at night when I drive by, thinking I have my high beam on, when it's just my regular headlights, which just happen to be very strong.

1. Yes
2. No, I am capable of telling when someone has high beam on and when they don't. I'm not sure if you have ever looked at the front of your vehicle but the low and high beam are two different bulbs.

 

[radiojake]

It's hard not to speed now while cyclists fly past you and through red lights whenever they want thinking their gods.

Don't get annoyed with cyclists just because you choose an inefficient form of transport.

The only time it's possible to 'fly past' a car is while you are stuck in grid lock because of the sheer amount of other inefficient commuters.

Also, you can't paint all cyclists with the one brush - We don't all run red lights...

At the same time, I think it's bullshit that cyclists are fined in the same manner as cars, and are expected to follow the same rules. They are fundamently different vehicles - We shouldn't be treated the same because we function in completely different ways

anyway, in regards to the OP - I do flash my lights on the rare time I am driving and I see a pigcamera

 

[Affidavit]

Don't get annoyed with cyclists just because you choose an inefficient form of transport.

The only time it's possible to 'fly past' a car is while you are stuck in grid lock because of the sheer amount of other inefficient commuters.

Also, you can't paint all cyclists with the one brush - We don't all run red lights...

At the same time, I think it's bullshit that cyclists are fined in the same manner as cars, and are expected to follow the same rules. They are fundamently different vehicles - We shouldn't be treated the same because we function in completely different ways

anyway, in regards to the OP - I do flash my lights on the rare time I am driving and I see a pigcamera

LOL


thanksforthegoodlaugh

 

[radiojake]

LOL


thanksforthegoodlaugh

You are welcome -

 

[Bennett.]

The whole 'revenue raising' argument is ridiculous. Don't speed and you won't contribute!

 

[shurg123]

I'm the sort of person who thinks putting the lives of yourselves and others at risk is a bad thing. You're the sort of person who thinks I'm a tool for believing that.

Seriously, how many people have met with a fatal accident going 63 kmh in a 60 kmh zone that could have been avoided if they were going at 60 kmh? The tolerance for cameras in Vic is only 3 kmh. If it's so dangerous and risky to go at 63 kmh, why do the cops not give you a second look unless you're doing 10 kmh+ over?

Cameras are purely about money, anyone who believes it's about safety are as gullible as creationists.

 

[Pie eyed]

Don't get annoyed with cyclists just because you choose an inefficient form of transport.

The only time it's possible to 'fly past' a car is while you are stuck in grid lock because of the sheer amount of other inefficient commuters.

Also, you can't paint all cyclists with the one brush - We don't all run red lights...

At the same time, I think it's bullshit that cyclists are fined in the same manner as cars, and are expected to follow the same rules. They are fundamently different vehicles - We shouldn't be treated the same because we function in completely different ways

anyway, in regards to the OP - I do flash my lights on the rare time I am driving and I see a pigcamera

Cyclists are expected to and should voluntarily, follow the same rules because if things go to crap it's a high probability it will be the cyclist dead in the gutter.
If I had a dollar for every cyclist who simply rode directly in front of me at a pedestrian crossing I'd be rich, rich enough to pay a lawyer to keep getting justifiable homicide rulings.

 

[Alesana]

Had a Merc driver frantically pointing at my fog lights at 8am in heavy rain last week and poor light....now I am off to VicRoads to check the new laws but I thought they could be used in these types of poor light/heavy rain conditions AND fog....

Road Rule 217 states that drivers must not use front or rear fog lights unless driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions that cause reduced visibility.

...from ViCroads website...

The argument is that it when it is wet the fog lights have more reflection from the road going into other the driver's eyes because they're so close to the ground. Next time it's raining have a look how much other car's fog lights reflect at you off the road. You can certainly be fined for having them on whenever it isn't foggy, I know of someone who has even been fiend for having them on when it was foggy. Best to just keep them off, because who draws the line of what is considered foggy?

As for flashing lights, there's a road (60km limit) that I sometimes take of which when going downhill pretty much every car (myself included) gets up to about 67-70km before getting to the intersection. There are no crossings and hardly any side streets so if there was ever a safe place to slightly speed this would be one. Then this one time a car flashes me, so I slow down to 60 and then go past a shady looking commodore wagon with the little camera on the front. It's because of people like this saving my ass when unintentionally speeding that I flash other motorists doing the same.

 

[radiojake]

Cyclists are expected to and should voluntarily, follow the same rules because if things go to crap it's a high probability it will be the cyclist dead in the gutter.
If I had a dollar for every cyclist who simply rode directly in front of me at a pedestrian crossing I'd be rich, rich enough to pay a lawyer to keep getting justifiable homicide rulings.

I was more talking in terms of the fining system - I turned left through a red light years ago on Swanston to La Trobe st. A cop caught me, fair enough, no arguments. But I was fined $293, which would have been the same for a car if they had just shot through a red light trying to beat an orange and missing by a good 4 or 5 seconds. In my case I had stopped at the red light, seen that it was just for the trams, so just turned the corner (akin to 'turn left anytime with care')

I don't see how a $293 fine for a cyclist turning left anytime with car is comparable to a car running a red light... That was my point...


Also, if I had a dollar for everytime a f*ckwit motorist yelled out of a car while overtaking a cyclist, or threw an object at a cyclist, or generally got aggressive while tailgating a cyclist, or pulled out infront of a cyclist, I'd have enough money to also hire a lawyer and end up with a lot of justified property damage rulings... Works both ways, don't it?

Don't get annoyed with cyclists because your form of transport is inefficient in the CBD

 

[boncer34]

Must admitt I get a good laugh at people who say they don't flash because to do so encourages speeding and puts lives at risk.

What happens when you flash?

People slow down.

But yeah dont flash and let them keep speeding. Great work.

 

[Caesar]

The whole 'revenue raising' argument is ridiculous. Don't speed and you won't contribute!

Which is fine, but everyone makes mistakes. I have no problem with speed cameras in accident blackspots, but when you see a speed camera on an innocuous section of multi-lane road that just happens to be on a downhill slope it makes you wonder.

My real beef though is with combination red light/speed cameras. Two forms of revenue for the government out of one camera, but I think mostly they just make drivers nervous and tentative around intersections.

 

[SugarShane]

Which is fine, but everyone makes mistakes. I have no problem with speed cameras in accident blackspots, but when you see a speed camera on an innocuous section of multi-lane road that just happens to be on a downhill slope it makes you wonder.

I'm all for putting them in dangerous spots too, but they don't. I got a speeding fine on the way home from cricket the other day, which is fair, i sped, and a paid the money.

My issue there was we played at a town an hour away, where 90% of the trip is at 110kmh, and where people have had fatal accidents before. I was overtaken on the 110kmh windy road, while doing right on the speed limit, by about 4 or 5 cars. One of which did it very unsafely. Not one cop at all along that stretch.

After 45mins, we pass through a town. Dual lanes each side, separated by a nature strip in the middle, and quiet as all hell at 7pm on a Saturday night. Speed limit drops right down to 60kmh, i accidentally sit on 67 after spending 45mins at 110kmh. Gawn. $320.

As i said before, i paid the fine, fair enough. But it's hard not to consider it revenue raising as opposed to a safety measure, when they sit behind trees in 60kmh zones where an accident has never occured, when they could be sitting 15 minutes up the road on high speed country roads where people have died.

 

[Roobs321]

12 months ago, there used to be a police car that would hide behind a mound about 40 mins out of canberra, approaching where you join up with the Yass road.
Seeing him in the rearview the first time is enough to make you sh*t yourself. It's the perfect hiding place. But over the next few months, occasionally some hoon would speed 20-30km over the limit past that hiding spot, and the cop would be right on them, good for the lols.

Regarding headlights, adding to the fog situation is frost. In canberra during winter, there are a lot of frosty mornings. If you are lucky enough to have a garage or underground parking, you can sit there heating the car up for 10 mins, or you can just go for it and hope you get to work in 5-10 mins before the frost sets in (Usually in canberra you are no more than 25mins drive from your workplace)
On the worst mornings, lots of drivers lack visibility, so headlights are great, even if you can see clearly yourself. Some random might try to change lanes with iced-over mirrors, so it's good to be on the alert.

Lol at high beams during the day, I dont think i've ever seen that.

 

[JuddsABlue]

Seriously, how many people have met with a fatal accident going 63 kmh in a 60 kmh zone that could have been avoided if they were going at 60 kmh? The tolerance for cameras in Vic is only 3 kmh. If it's so dangerous and risky to go at 63 kmh, why do the cops not give you a second look unless you're doing 10 kmh+ over?

Cameras are purely about money, anyone who believes it's about safety are as gullible as creationists.

The problem with 'allowing' people to do 63-65 in a 60 zone is it would soon become the norm. It wouldnt be long before everybody knew and talked about the fact that now all 60km zones are in fact 65km zones

Then it wouldnt take long for people to be complaining about getting caught for doing 67 in a 60 (65km) zone, because its just a few K's more than what they think is reasonable, how can it be bad?

It really does amaze me how so many people struggle with the idea of speed limits being enforced. Its really not as if they dont display it on the roads or anything. If its 60, do 60. It is so absurdly simple but so many people fail to comprehend it.

 

[shurg123]

The problem with 'allowing' people to do 63-65 in a 60 zone is it would soon become the norm. It wouldnt be long before everybody knew and talked about the fact that now all 60km zones are in fact 65km zones

Then it wouldnt take long for people to be complaining about getting caught for doing 67 in a 60 (65km) zone, because its just a few K's more than what they think is reasonable, how can it be bad?

It really does amaze me how so many people struggle with the idea of speed limits being enforced. Its really not as if they dont display it on the roads or anything. If its 60, do 60. It is so absurdly simple but so many people fail to comprehend it.

Wrong, the 60 zone will still be a 60 zone no matter how many people go at 60-70 on it. The traffic could be going at 67 but it's still a 60 km/h zone. The cops are still not likely to bother pull you over unless you're going 70 km/h+ anyway. 75 is NOT just a few km/h more than what people consider 'reasonable' in a 60 km/h zone, so the police have every reason to pull them over.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

god there's a lot of self-righteous twats on this site.

I always flash my lights if I see one, and I thoroughly appreciate when others do it to me. For me, it's a fraternal thing, a real feeling of community. Stuff you pricks with your "don't speed" bullshit. Everyone speeds at some stage, getting the same fine for being 3k over the limit as you do for 19k is a ****ing joke.

Within a few months of getting my P's I got pulled up by a traffic light speed camera. Ever since I've instinctively slowed down at traffic lights, even if I know that traffic light doesn't have a camera.

if you're good enough you just look for the box or the camera itself while you're in motion

 

[I bleed Blue]

I always flash my lights if I see one, and I thoroughly appreciate when others do it to me. For me, it's a fraternal thing, a real feeling of community. Stuff you pricks with your "don't speed" bullshit. Everyone speeds at some stage, getting the same fine for being 3k over the limit as you do for 19k is a ****ing joke.

Yeah this is what I was getting at in my OP. It just feels like a really "Aussie" thing to do. Love the fact that strangers look out for each other by giving a quick heads up so you dont get stung with a shitty fine for being a few K's over the limit. As you said Lance its got a real fraternal and community feel about it.


On a side note, my sisters ex-boyfriend used to be a speed camera operator... he told me once on a busy day his camera flashed over 400 people, now seriously thats not stopping dangerous driving its just revenue raising by sticking the camera in a strategic position.

 

[Catfish Alley]

I don't think it's an Aussie thing. I've seen it in the UK, US and Canada. Had somebody do it to me the other week. Everybody seems to drive over the limit here. I haven't bothered to look at the stats but I don't think fatalities are much higher than in Australia.

 

[Syrus]

It's against the law but I do it everytime I see one and appreciate it when others do it to warn me. When the gov't/cops place cameras only in accident hot spots and not in spots where they are simply revenue raisers I'll review my approach.

If you turn your driving lights on then off it is not illegal. It is only when you turn on the high beams does it become illegal.

Had a Merc driver frantically pointing at my fog lights at 8am in heavy rain last week and poor light....now I am off to VicRoads to check the new laws but I thought they could be used in these types of poor light/heavy rain conditions AND fog....

Road Rule 217 states that drivers must not use front or rear fog lights unless driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions that cause reduced visibility.

...from ViCroads website...

He was right. Fog lights are lower to the road and effectively give you greater visibility when foggy. If someone is coming towards me with them on and it's not foggy I high beam them as it is effectively what they are doing for me. The sooner the cops crack down on all these knobs driving with their fog lights on for no apparent reason apart from being an inconsiderate ****, the better.