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Tuesday, September 30, 2003


Dangerous headlight flashers must be stopped!
The stupid item of the day sadly comes from my own city. A Franklin, Tenn. policeman issued a $75 ticket to a motorist who flashed his headlights to warn oncoming traffic that said cop was behind him.

Walker, 75, was fined $10 and had to pay an additional $65 in court costs for violating a city ordinance that says people can't knowingly ''interfere with or attempt to interfere'' with a police officer who is performing or ''attempting to perform'' his duties.

He said he was driving on Downs Boulevard at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 when he noticed a Franklin Police car pull behind him. Walker made sure he wasn't speeding and saw the police car turn into a driveway.

''I thought I'd better warn others to slow down because they might get a ticket, so I flashed my lights,'' Walker said. ''I guess (the officer) saw me because he stopped me and said I was interfering with an officer.''
There is no state law against flashing lights or warning others of a speed trap. Funny thing is, a spokeswoman for the State Patrol who was contacted by the reporter said that they're just fine with drivers flashing their lights. They see their mission as getting people to slow down, and whatever helps that cause is welcome as long as it isn't hazardous itself.

The sheriff of Williamson County (wherein Franklin sits) said that the law Walker was found to have violated is intended to punish those who physically interfere with an officer. He said he "would not condone one of his deputies writing a citation to a person who flashed their lights."

I predict that Franklin will now become a city of flashers. And should.

by Donald Sensing, 9/30/2003 07:28:05 AM. Permalink |  





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