rjmalizia Posted February 20, 2010 #1 Posted February 20, 2010 A month ago I took it upon myself to help out newly hired police office with his ticket writing abilities...evidently I had forgotten what a little speed trap this town can be (AND yes, i was speeding and yes i desired it--but it still stings) Any way, yesterday as I was embarking on an nice 100+ mile ride, Sun a shining, basking in the near 60 degree of warmth. Did I mention that it was sunny So I'm putting a long at a nice semi-legal three over the limit and pass right through the State's version of a highway speed trap. there where two motorcycle cops and one or two unmarked cars to boot. Well little did I know, but the two MC cops were radar'ing in the other direction--life is good, for me. HOWEVER, not even a mile down the road, here comes a small pack of riders heading towards me. OK...trying to be the good brother that i am, I attempt to signal them of their "potential" doom. I tried to gesture down; I pointed behind me, as if i was firing a hand gun, etc. And well, most of those other riders were nice enough to wave back at me. Well, I tried. SO, my question is: What is the best, most well known mean of saying..."Hey fool, slow down. There's a speed trap ahead." Any thoughts?
donaldj2242 Posted February 20, 2010 #3 Posted February 20, 2010 Flashing your high beams on and off to on coming traffic usually does the trick here in Michigan.
dragerman Posted February 20, 2010 #4 Posted February 20, 2010 Oh...and i flashed my hi-beams I was going to say that folks up here generally flash their lights to oncoming traffic for them to slow down. Not just for speed traps but for accidents or obstructions as well.
BuddyRich Posted February 20, 2010 #5 Posted February 20, 2010 I like the last one http://ridemyown.com/articles/safety/handsignals.shtml And then there's http://www.mwsbike.com/hand_signal
LilBeaver Posted February 20, 2010 #6 Posted February 20, 2010 Left hand flat tapping the top of your head/helmet is the hand signal that I have been told is convention for saying there is a cop ahead. Although the flashing of the lights is probably more common.
Skid Posted February 20, 2010 #7 Posted February 20, 2010 http://ridemyown.com/articles/safety/handsignals.shtml The "Slow Down" hand signal is what I always saw and used. Seem to work good... Also I liked the "ticked off" hand signal too. Guaranteed to get a response.....
oldgoat Posted February 20, 2010 #8 Posted February 20, 2010 well i use to tap top of helmet lift my left hand above my head and make a circle. kind of signal of the old time roateing lights cops had
AKRefugee Posted February 21, 2010 #9 Posted February 21, 2010 Tap on top of head seems to be well know and very easy to spot
tazmocycle Posted February 22, 2010 #11 Posted February 22, 2010 if it's a lot of harley riders, i give the ok to speed up signal.LOL!! just kidding. i had a friend who was flashing his lights to warn others of speed trap, and he meet a cop coming back from pulling somebody over. the cop flippped around, pulled him over, and when he walked up to him, he said "where you going paul revere?" he gave him a ticket for interfering with offical police work. i always tap the top of my helmet or circle my finger in a circle above my head. i've seen some do the slow down signal, too.
Hummingbird Posted February 22, 2010 #12 Posted February 22, 2010 don't know about other states but is is against the 'law' in Ohio to flash your lights to warn others of a speed/radar trap. So I guess I'm braking the law all the time.
Freebird Posted February 22, 2010 #13 Posted February 22, 2010 I live in Ohio and I'm not sure either. I would think though that in most states they could find something to charge you for.
Venturous Randy Posted February 22, 2010 #14 Posted February 22, 2010 For some reason I have this faint memory of "flashing your lights" being addressed in court and being covered under the freedom of speech ruling. Not sure, but that rings a little bell. I did the same thing yesterday, I had a Tennessee State Trooper behind me radaring people and I flashed a few high beams. But, if I see someone really speeding, I have all but stopped flashing my high beam. When it gets dangerous for others, they deserve what they get. RandyA
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