Warning Drivers Of Speed Traps With Flashing Headlights Is Free Speech
A federal judge in St. Louis has set the benchmark
Posted: Feb 05, 2014 | By: AOL Autos Staff
http://tinyurl.com/kosms3f
autos.aol.com/article/warning-drivers-of-speed-traps-with-flashing-headlights-is-free/
A federal judge in St. Louis ruled Monday that a driver flashing their lights
to warn other drivers of an impending speed trap is protected free speech.
On November 22, 2012 Michael Elli received a ticket for flashing his lights
to warn fellow drivers of a speed trap, according to Fox 2. The American
Civil Liberties Union helped Elli fight the $1,000 ticket all the way to
federal court.
Judge Henry Autrey of St. Louis ruled a driver has the right to flash their
lights under the First Amendment. Autrey issued an injunction to stop
Ellisville Police from enforcing the policy.
"If you're at the gas station on the corner and someone says 'Hey be careful
over there, there's a speed trap,' that's protected speech. You can't be
ticketed for that. This is no different," Tony Rothert, an attorney for the
American Civil Liberties Union, told Fox 2.
A lawyer for the police in Ellisville said the department isn't affected by
the ruling, as this kind of ticket has only been issued five or so times in
the last decade. Across the country, however, the ruling will be considered
the benchmark for such cases.
--
A federal judge in St. Louis has set the benchmark
Posted: Feb 05, 2014 | By: AOL Autos Staff
http://tinyurl.com/kosms3f
autos.aol.com/article/warning-drivers-of-speed-traps-with-flashing-headlights-is-free/
A federal judge in St. Louis ruled Monday that a driver flashing their lights
to warn other drivers of an impending speed trap is protected free speech.
On November 22, 2012 Michael Elli received a ticket for flashing his lights
to warn fellow drivers of a speed trap, according to Fox 2. The American
Civil Liberties Union helped Elli fight the $1,000 ticket all the way to
federal court.
Judge Henry Autrey of St. Louis ruled a driver has the right to flash their
lights under the First Amendment. Autrey issued an injunction to stop
Ellisville Police from enforcing the policy.
"If you're at the gas station on the corner and someone says 'Hey be careful
over there, there's a speed trap,' that's protected speech. You can't be
ticketed for that. This is no different," Tony Rothert, an attorney for the
American Civil Liberties Union, told Fox 2.
A lawyer for the police in Ellisville said the department isn't affected by
the ruling, as this kind of ticket has only been issued five or so times in
the last decade. Across the country, however, the ruling will be considered
the benchmark for such cases.
--
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