Is it illegal to hold a "COPS AHEAD" sign few steps away from the cops?

[Smartidiot]

Say if I hold up a "COPS/SPEED CAMERA AHEAD" poster a few steps away from the cops just to help some innocent citizens so that cops won't catch any fishes but smell my a*ss on that day.....

Would I be violating any traffic/criminal/civil law???

[speedracerg35]

It is illegal. You are interfering with the officer's ability to carry out his duty.

[Smartidiot]

than how about holding up a sign that says something like "Please slow down with a drawing of a pig going to a donut shop" ?? For all I know, I am just doing the good deeds reminding people to obey the traffic law.. is that illegal too?

[erklep]

i dont see how it is any different than those "speed radar enforced area" signs. just a simple warning

[rpm&my_G35]

I don't know about holding a sign. That's really pushing your luck.

It is not, however, illegal in Ontario to flash headlights.
"It's not an offence under the Highway Traffic Act in Ontario," confirms Sgt. Cam Woolley of the Ontario Provincial Police. "Drivers are free to communicate with each other."

It's a practice as old as flywheel magnetos and wooden-spoke wheels.

"Ever since speeding laws were enacted, motorists have been warning each other," says Woolley. "Truckers use a lot of signals. They also warn each other on CB radio."

And there's no indication the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is about to amend the act.

"At this time, we are not looking to change the HTA to make it illegal for drivers to warn other motorists about radar traps," says ministry spokesperson Emna Dhahak.

Woolley says the police themselves often warn drivers of speed traps by announcing "hot zones" on radio stations, or by using pixelboards or fixed signs to identify school zones and other areas where radar may be present.
http://www.wheels.ca/reviews/article/173244

[Smartidiot]

Originally Posted by rpm&my_G35

I don't know about holding a sign. That's really pushing your luck.

It is not, however, illegal in Ontario to flash headlights.
"It's not an offence under the Highway Traffic Act in Ontario," confirms Sgt. Cam Woolley of the Ontario Provincial Police. "Drivers are free to communicate with each other."

It's a practice as old as flywheel magnetos and wooden-spoke wheels.

"Ever since speeding laws were enacted, motorists have been warning each other," says Woolley. "Truckers use a lot of signals. They also warn each other on CB radio."

And there's no indication the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is about to amend the act.

"At this time, we are not looking to change the HTA to make it illegal for drivers to warn other motorists about radar traps," says ministry spokesperson Emna Dhahak.

Woolley says the police themselves often warn drivers of speed traps by announcing "hot zones" on radio stations, or by using pixelboards or fixed signs to identify school zones and other areas where radar may be present.
http://www.wheels.ca/reviews/article/173244

Thanks for your detailed response.
I jsut do not understand how I'd be "pushing my luck" by simply holding up a sign on the sidewalk (I won't be driving , of course).

It'd be similar to teenagers holding up a "Car Wash, pleae come in here" poster on a sunny weekend, provided that it is NOT illegal for civils to communicate and warn each other where the cops locate, correct?

[suicidesam]

I'm sure the po-po will try to find some violation code…

[canucklehead]

^ a sign with a diplomatic message would not be illegal. as you mentioned a "Please Slow Down" sign would not be a problem. just don't include any graphic that belongs to the Police such as their crest symbol. you could use the red & blue colours of their lights. and don't dress up in a cop uniform either. your sign could also say "Radar Enforcement Ahead". this could be defended by you claiming to be a concerned citizen.

[WhosUrBuddiee]

I have seen a person get a ticket for flashing his headlights in DC. Ticket was for preventing officer from conducting their duty

[canucklehead]

^ that would be a snap to defend in court. there is no way a reasonable defence would be denied. what about flashing because of oncoming high-beams, or hazard ahead? there are several globally-accepted uses for the "flash".

[Smartidiot]

Originally Posted by canucklehead

^ a sign with a diplomatic message would not be illegal. as you mentioned a "Please Slow Down" sign would not be a problem. just don't include any graphic that belongs to the Police such as their crest symbol. you could use the red & blue colours of their lights. and don't dress up in a cop uniform either. your sign could also say "Radar Enforcement Ahead". this could be defended by you claiming to be a concerned citizen.

This is exactly what I am planning on doing.. there is this popo who has nothing better to do but camping in my neighbord trying to catch people speeding.. he actually gave me a ticket for driving 48km/h in a 40km/h zone..

so i am thinking of following him to EVERYWHERE he camps and pose a "diplomatic" sign right in front of his trap.. yes.. i am that narrow-minded and have so much free time in my hand.

[erklep]

rather than waste your time standing there, why not post the sign to a nearby tree or streetlamp post?

[rpm&my_G35]

Originally Posted by Smartidiot

This is exactly what I am planning on doing.. there is this popo who has nothing better to do but camping in my neighbord trying to catch people speeding.. he actually gave me a ticket for driving 48km/h in a 40km/h zone..

so i am thinking of following him to EVERYWHERE he camps and pose a "diplomatic" sign right in front of his trap.. yes.. i am that narrow-minded and have so much free time in my hand.

So; you are bitter because you were caught speeding in what was likely a community safe / school zone which are necessary speed reduced zones for very obvious reasons?
You started this thread on the premise of being a good samaritan but you have just revealed your true colours on this one.
If you don't want to pay the fine, go fight it in court.

[Smartidiot]

Originally Posted by rpm&my_G35

So; you are bitter because you were caught speeding in what was likely a community safe / school zone which are necessary speed reduced zones for very obvious reasons?
You started this thread on the premise of being a good samaritan but you have just revealed your true colours on this one.
If you don't want to pay the fine, go fight it in court.

That is correct.
My speedo was read 45km/h by the time I got caught and he gave me a ticket for going 48km/h in a 40km/h zone...

Yes, I too think that driving 60km/h+ in a 40km/h zone endangers the lifes of community ..had I received a ticket for driving 60+ km/h in a 40km/h zone I wouldn't even be starting this thread in the first place (no ones want to get blamed and laughed at)............. but 48km/h in a 40km/h zone? gimme a break.. obviously this has nothing to do with saving the chidren/residents on the cops' side.... ..

so you can save your good citizen speech for someone else as I am sure you have never gone 5+ km/h in your entire life..

[rpm&my_G35]

If it was 5 or 8 over then fight it. Maybe your speedometer is a little off.
Yes I have driven 5 over. We all do it every day but not in a safety zone. I was nailed for 55 in a 50 on the main street in Stratford many many years ago at 5am with no traffic around. IMO the cop was a jack ***.
Oh and you are the one that was sounding off like you are the good samaritan...
"...help some innocent citizens... "
"...For all I know, I am just doing the good deeds reminding people to obey the traffic law.. is that illegal too? "