Don't get mad get even

I read with interest the story of the old boy threatened with prosecution over his flashing a warning to other riders of a police car ahead.

I suffered just such threat myself last year when two of North Wales finest came after me with just such an allogation.

The first, an unmarked car, got short shrift from me in reply to his opening question, “Are you aware that it is an offence to indicate the presence of a speed trap?” in replying “No” and before he could add that ignorance is no defence in law, I added, 1) Because their location is freely published in local papers, 2) I know of no such speed trap here and 3) I was in fact warning others of the presence of a traffic hazard which I had just passed.

In that there is a fire on the moor and two fire tenders are manoeuvering on a bend ahead of those I was signaling to.

I then added that as he (who had been following said riders)had apparently not seen this, short of the only safe place to turn a vehicle around, just how did he come to turn around safely?

The second, a short while later was better recieved, maybe because he was at least not hiding his identity. But non the less began with the same quote to which I had to admit that this time there had been a “Drive alive” van in the layby I had just passed.

But again I stated my case as to be just indicating the presence of a traffic hazard, adding that I hoped he would carry on to warn if not prosecute the tourists which were as we spoke, causing a flock fo sheep to block the road by throwing their picnic lunch to them.

In short, as with the lad pushing his bike across the pavement, don’t get mad, just ask them to explain whatever offence they are claiming has been committed then use the law against them.