Viewers Voice: New law in Florida gets people talking

By Miriam Zamorano

CREATED Jan. 3, 2013

  • Print

  • Viewers Voice Video by fox4now.com

    video

LEE COUNTY, Fla. - The new year is bringing in new laws to the state of Florida. It is now legal to flash your headlights to warn drivers that police are checking for speeders.

In the past, thousands were ticketed for flashing their bright lights and some didn't realize it was illegal at the time. 

"It is legal to flash your high beams for any reason that you want as long as you do it to communicate with another driver", says Fort Myers attorney, Janese Caruthers.

Caruthers admits she does it and is glad the new law is clearing things up. 

Many in Southwest Florida are also glad not to be ticketed for doing it. That conversation sparked hundreds of comments on Fox Four's Facebook page. 
 
Joey posted, "Doesn't matter if its legal, its called common courtesy."
 
Samuel thought, "Either way they are slowing down and that's the ultimate goal isn't it?"
 
Sandra responded it should be legal "When there is an accident, yes, but just to warn other drivers of a speed checking, no."
 
Kelli says, "if it keeps my family and others safe on the road then I see no harm in warning them to slow down, whether there is a cop waiting down the street or not."
 
Keep in mind it is illegal to have your bright lights on 500 feet from an oncoming car or 300 feet if you're behind someone.