Drivers have been warned they could face fines of up to £1,000 if they are found to be warning other road users of mobile speed camera locations on Facebook, Twitter or other platforms of social media. You may feel like you are making a right turn to other motorists, but this is considered the same criminal offense as drivers flashing their headlights to alert other motorists.
It has become increasingly common for police to monitor traffic speeds from vans on the side of the road. A motorist last week posted on Facebook warning of the location of a van, but was quickly advised by other users to delete the post. He had also posted a photo of the speed camera he had taken while driving, potentially another traffic violation.
North Wales Police (NWP) have said drivers who alert others to a police speed camera could be in breach of Section 89 of the Police Act 1997, designed to penalize anyone who ‘deliberately obstructs’ a police officer in the performance of his duties. Breaking this law can result in a fine of up to £1,000 or a month in jail.
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A spokesman for the NWP Traffic Policing Unit said: “Publishing speed camera locations hampers the good work that staff and officers are doing to curb excessive speeding by motorists, which is one of the offenses ‘Fatal Five’ Motorists could be prosecuted if caught warning other drivers on the road for any speed traps.
In practice, the police can use their discretion to pursue a case, says North Wales Live. Indeed, the approximate locations of radar vans are often announced in advance by the forces.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-23 04:00:00
