Technology
Drivers warned NOT to post about speed traps on Facebook or face £1,000 fine
PEOPLE who use social media to warn other drivers about the location of speed camera traps could end up with a large fine.
This is according to the Wiltshire Times, which recently warned its readers that reporting the location of police speed vans on Facebook groups could be breaking the law.
Warning other drivers about police speed vans could result in a fine[/caption]
If you warn others about police speed vans you could be in breach of section 89 of the Police Act 1997.
The new report suggests UK drivers would be breaking that law whether they’re flashing their headlights on the road or posting the location of speed camera vans on social media.
Breaking Section 89 of the Police Act 1997 can also lead to up to one month in prison.
Some of the section reads: “Any person who resists or wilfully obstructs a constable in the execution of his duty, or a person assisting a constable in the execution of his duty, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or to both.”
Motorists aren’t supposed to flash their lights to warn about speed traps[/caption]
According to the Wiltshire Times: “If you post the location of police speed traps on Facebook, Instagram of Twitter, you face breaching section 89 of the Police Act.”
Facebook community and traffic groups have increased in popularity over recent years.
Lots of them have thousands of members.
The pages often share updates about travel congestion.
However, some users are known to also point out locations of speed cameras and police vans that are temporarily monitoring speeds at the side of the road.
We have reached out to Facebook for comment on its group guidelines.
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Do you belong to any Facebook traffic groups? Let us know in the comments…
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