Thinking about flashing your lights to warn other drivers of police speed traps? After reading this, one might want to think again.

Recently Harlie Walker of Franklin was given a citation for flashing his headlights while driving down the road, to warn the oncoming traffic that there was a police car ahead, watching for speeders. After either reading about this story or hearing about it from a friend, students may be wondering how this situation might effect them.

According to the Martin Police Department, this is not something Martin residents should be overly concerned with. The citation Walker was issued was listed under a city ordinance making it illegal to interfere with a police officer in the course of their duties. There is no law stating exactly that "flashing lights" is illegal. The city of Martin has the same city ordinance, however it does not plan on enforcing this law for the practice of flashing lights.

According to Chief JD Sanders of the Martin Police Department, it isn't a state law, but could be seen as one if it was put into certain context, despite the fact that it is not in the state's driving handbook. The MPD discussed that drivers have radar detectors among other ways to figure out if police officers are ahead in addition to light flashing. "It would be pretty tough to prove that a person was flashing their lights for that reason," said Sanders.

There are a lot of laws that are not specifically printed in the driving handbook. Sanders wonder if everyone read all of the laws, could they really understand them all according to the way they are worded.

The problem doesn't highly concern Sanders, saying, " There are a few things here in Martin a little more important than flashing your lights." He also added that when someone flashes their lights regardless of whether it is an officer or a citizen, it is usually a signal to slow down, and that is what the MPD is concerned with. Citations for speeding are the last resort for the MPD according to Sanders. They just want people to slow down. The reason for speed-limit indicators on the road is so that drivers will go the speed limit.

Chief Sanders did not believe that the problem was any better or worse among college students, and honestly could not remember the last time he personally saw someone flash their lights. "It is an isolated incident," Sanders said. "Just go the speed limit."

Walker pleaded innocent but was found guilty. The judge believed that because of the way the city ordinance was worded, Walker had violated it. Walker was fined $10 for the violation and $65 in court costs.