Free Republic

A federal judge in Missouri ruled this week held that drivers have a First Amendment right to flash their headlights to warn other motorists of nearby police and speed traps. The order by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey in St. Louis on Monday stems from a lawsuit filed by Ellisville resident Michael Elli. In 2012, Elli flashed his headlights to warn oncoming vehicles of a radar set up by police in the town of Ellisville. A flash of headlights is a common way motorists communicate to oncoming drivers of either a dangerous situation or the presence of police —...

ST. LOUIS — The American Civil Liberties Union is hoping that a federal judge’s ruling Monday that temporarily barred a Missouri city from punishing drivers for using their headlights to warn others of speed traps will itself serve as a warning to other cities who try to do the same. ACLU Legal Director Tony Rothert said Monday that it was the first federal court ruling on the issue anywhere in the country. “It is legal in Missouri to communicate in this manner,” he said, “and detaining, ticketing or arresting someone for the content of their speech is illegal. “ U.S....

A class action filed in Florida claims that it violates motorists’ free speech rights to ticket them for flashing their headlights, Florida Today reports. The suit was brought against the Florida Highway Patrol by a Florida resident, Eric Campbell, who claims he was ticketed within one minute of issuing a headlight warning to other drivers.