SPEED TRAP: Motorists warning others on social media or flashing headlights face £1,000 fines

Motorists are being warned they could be hit with fines of up to £1,000 if they communicate the location of mobile speed cameras via social media platforms.

The same rules and punishments apply for motorists thinking about using their headlights to flash oncoming vehicles as a warning to slow down for nearby speed traps.

Whilst there is no direct regulation in the Highway Code that specifically stops drivers flashing lights or using social media as a warning, the offence would be in contravention of section 89 of the 1996 Police Act.

Section 89 states: “Any person who resists or wilfully obstructs a constable in the execution of his duty, or a person assisting a constable in the execution of his duty, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or to both.”

Recently a spokesperson for the North Wales Police (NWP) Road Policing Unit told North Wales Live: “Publicising the locations of speed traps hampers the good work that staff and officers do to reduce speeding motorists, which is one of the “Fatal Five” offences.

“Motorists could be prosecuted if they are caught warning other drivers on the road for any speed trap.”

As such police officers are well within their rights to charge drivers warning others and those posting on social media with this criminal offence if they perceive the motorist has ‘wilfully’ obstructed their ability to conduct speed checks.

If found guilty of the offence drivers face a capped level three fine which equates to a maximum penalty of £1,000.